Maestro

Describe Keller's teaching strategies for Paul.

What are the strategies?

How does Keller teach Paul?

What effect does this have/ How effective is it?

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• Keller refuses to let Paul play during his first lesson, instead instructing him in the personalities of the different fingers.

• Keller persists in refusing to let Paul play during subsequent lessons, continuing to lecture him on the particulars of the fingers and elbows.

• Keller allows Paul to play Chopin during his third lesson, but stops him by grabbing his wrists before he plays a note, criticizing his playing and telling him that he must first learn to listen.

• By Paul's ninth lesson Keller is finally ready to let him play, but forces him to swallow his pride and begin with The Children's Bach. The lessons are lacking in praise but filled with Keller's vague advice: "I'm half finished." "Is water at fifty degrees half-boiling?" or "What is the difference between good and great pianists? Not much. Just a little."

Source(s)

Darwin, 1967