on forced instrument learning (and only piano/violin, nothing else)

[acroyear]

Renewable Music: Piano and Violin: Blunt Instruments of Bourgeois Education:

But I do wish to add two caveats. The first is that the orchestra (professional or amateur) relatively rarely uses pianos and though there can be many violins, we need violas and bassoons and horns as well. A world full of "Chinese Mothered" violinists and pianists will be a world in which violists, bassoonists and horn players will be valued more highly. (The "Chinese Mother" appears not always to be wise about economics.) The second caveat is that I want to work with and listen to musicians who are not only mechanically competent, but are honestly interested in the music and, generally speaking, cheerful rather than fearful about music-making. Unfortunately the tactical application of fear appears to be a major element of Prof. Chua's pedagogy; in all my experience of music, I have never seen any necessity for fear as an element in its production.

Comments

[sestree.livejournal.com]

ahhh but piano is a great leaping off point to other instruments. It can be a useful tool to go into percussion (me) or oboe (Shannon G) or even bassoon (from flute - a weird transition but ok - Michaela).

Of the 3, none of us played proficiently at piano. I was closest and I'm not good. However, it was through piano that my instructor noticed I had a flair for understanding rhythmic changes and could keep a surprisingly steady beat. Being able to read both bass and treble clef (along with being hideously organized) lead to an amateur symphonic career (tuned percussion) that paid for my college.

I liken learning piano to learning beginning algebra. While not everyone will use it in their professional lives, it teaches a useful skill. If nothing else, it teaches discipline.