Dr. Haruko Kataoka and Shelly Wilburn
Master Lesson
Suzuki Piano Institute
University of Louisville, Kentucky, USA
9-15 June 1996

Ludwig van Beethoven, Sonatina, Second Movement
From Suzuki Piano School Book 2

Print these notes out so you may follow the video. The spoken audio is weak. These written notes help compensate.

Teachers who want to see Dr. Haruko Kataoka's hands more fully while she plays should watch several videos, as they vary in attention given to her hands.

The master lesson Shelly Wilburn had with Dr. Kataoka took place in Recital Hall, University of Louisville, on 11 June 1996. Suzuki teachers seated behind Dr. Kataoka observed. After the bow and performance of the piece, Dr. Kataoka made the following points as the lesson developed:

1. piece was well memorized
2. best pianists keep their hands and fingers up above the keys
3. Dr. Kataoka talked to Shelly to see if she would lose her ear, but she did not; good concentration
4. work on the use of the second finger
5. be sure right hand leads and left hand accompanies
6. try to keep left hand in the same place when keys being played are close together (Alberti bass); this is done for economy of movement and relaxation
7. keep fingers above keys
8. practice hands separately

Dr. Kataoka gave many individual student lessons that week. As I observed her teaching other students, she made the following points:

1. keep good posture
2. practice hands separately
3. play with hands high-no flag waving wrists
4. play deep into the keys
5. play from the heart
6. a great ending will cover a mediocre middle performance
7. expect kids and parents to fight about practice-this is normal

During her week at the Suzuki Piano Institute, Shelly Wilburn studied with Bruce Anderson (Suzuki and recital piece, Sonatina, Second Movement), Steve Crews (Jazz and Blues), Jim Bates (Surgery-taking songs apart), and Shelley Sparks (Music Theory). To support Shelly Wilburn's studies, both the Greenville Suzuki Association and the University of Louisville Suzuki Association awarded Shelly scholarships to attend the Institute.

The Video