{"id":13966,"date":"2023-05-31T14:59:49","date_gmt":"2023-05-31T21:59:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/?p=13966"},"modified":"2023-11-22T09:02:38","modified_gmt":"2023-11-22T17:02:38","slug":"colette-maze","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/colette-maze\/","title":{"rendered":"6 Questions With Colette Maze, the 109-Year-Old Pianist Releasing Her Seventh Album"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Colette Maze has been playing the piano for a very long time. More than a hundred years, in fact! She may be the oldest pianist in the world, if not <em>the <\/em>oldest recording musician alive. In fact, her seventh album\u2014appropriately titled <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lefigaro.fr\/musique\/a-108-ans-la-pianiste-colette-maze-defie-le-temps-et-sort-un-nouvel-album-20230331\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><em>109 Years of Piano<\/em><\/a>\u2014will be released June 23 and will contain works by Gershwin, Piazolla, Debussy, and Schumann.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here is a brief biography of the remarkable Colette Maze, followed by advice she personally shared with us about learning, practicing, and appreciating music.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>&gt; 109 Years of Piano can be purchased <a href=\"https:\/\/www.uvmdistribution.com\/piano\/9316-109-ans-de-piano-colette-maze-label-continuo-classics-ean-3770000059021-annee-edition-2023-genre-classique-format-cd-code-prix-u-3770000059021.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">here<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-rank-math-toc-block\" id=\"rank-math-toc\"><p><strong>Table of Contents:<\/strong><\/p><nav><ol><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#piano-as-sanctuary\">Piano As Sanctuary<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#the-oldest-pianist-in-the-world-a-late-yet-blooming-career\">A Late, Yet Blooming Career<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#piano-every-day\">Piano Every Day<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#6-questions-with-colette-maze\">6 Questions With Colette Maze<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#how-to-learn-piano-as-an-adult\">How to Learn Piano As an Adult<\/a><\/li><\/ol><\/nav><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<span class=\"blue-text-block\"><center><h2 style=\"font-size:22px\"><b>\ud83c\udfb9 Your Go-To Place for All Things Piano<\/b><\/h2><p>Subscribe to <i>The Note<\/i> for exclusive interviews, fascinating articles, and inspiring lessons delivered straight to your inbox. Unsubscribe at any time.<\/p><iframe class=\"email-form-include\" src=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/weeklyemail\" frameborder=\"none\"><\/iframe><\/center><\/span>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><em><strong>UPDATE &#8211; November 22, 2023:<\/strong> Today we got the news that Colette has passed away. We are so honored and grateful to have collaborated with her while she was with us, and we wish her family warmth and healing at this time.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"piano-as-sanctuary\" style=\"font-size:32px\"><strong>Piano As Sanctuary<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Born just a year before the start of World War I, Colette Maze began playing piano at age five. She was also an avid dancer and used her pocket money for dance classes.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In her interviews, Colette regards music as a sort of sanctuary. She frequently mentions very strict parents: her father took care of a factory and her mother was cold, sometimes abusive. &#8220;So, to fill my need for tenderness, it was music,&#8221; she says in an interview with Thomann Music.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"692\" src=\"https:\/\/www.musora.com\/musora-cdn\/image\/quality=85\/https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/22154459\/Piano-Bassou-1927-1-1024x692.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-14366\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/22154459\/Piano-Bassou-1927-1-1024x692.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/22154459\/Piano-Bassou-1927-1-300x203.jpg 300w, https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/22154459\/Piano-Bassou-1927-1-768x519.jpg 768w, https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/22154459\/Piano-Bassou-1927-1-1536x1038.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/22154459\/Piano-Bassou-1927-1-2048x1384.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Colette Maze playing piano. (Photo courtesy of Fabrice and Colette Maze)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>But her mother was a violinist and her grandmother was also a musician, so Colette grew up in a musical environment and considers musicality a \u201cgift\u201d that was passed down. As a young child, Colette would listen to the children upstairs playing piano, then copy what they played by ear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Colette&#8217;s family recognized her talent and moved close to the \u00c9cole Normale de Musique. Here, she studied under some of the most influential music teachers, including Alfred Cortot, Jeanne Blancard, Georges Dandelot, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.classicfm.com\/discover-music\/women-in-music\/nadia-boulanger-composer-conductor-music-teacher\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Nadia Boulanger<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>I don\u2019t count the years. I\u2019m no good at maths, so what\u2019s the point? I was old at 15. I am much younger now.<\/p>\n<cite>Colette Maze, <a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/xN626c2-oow\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Interview with BBC<\/a><\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-cyan-bluish-gray-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-cyan-bluish-gray-background-color has-background is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"634\" height=\"574\" src=\"https:\/\/www.musora.com\/musora-cdn\/image\/quality=85\/https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/26101809\/ALBUM-7.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-14386\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/26101809\/ALBUM-7.png 634w, https:\/\/pianote-blog.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/26101809\/ALBUM-7-300x272.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 634px) 100vw, 634px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\" style=\"font-size:24px\"><strong>109 ans de piano<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">Colette Maze&#8217;s album <em>109 ans de piano<\/em> (&#8220;109 Years of Piano&#8221;) can be purchased at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.uvmdistribution.com\/piano\/9316-109-ans-de-piano-colette-maze-label-continuo-classics-ean-3770000059021-annee-edition-2023-genre-classique-format-cd-code-prix-u-3770000059021.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">uvmdistribution.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-cyan-bluish-gray-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-cyan-bluish-gray-background-color has-background is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"the-oldest-pianist-in-the-world-a-late-yet-blooming-career\" style=\"font-size:32px\"><strong>The Oldest Pianist in the World? A Late, Yet Blooming Career<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Despite studying with the best music teachers, Colette&#8217;s parents didn&#8217;t intend for her to pursue music as a career. At the time, music was considered a past-time for women, not a respectable profession. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Colette was able to attain the second-highest exam level in piano. But because her parents didn&#8217;t let her be home alone while they were away, she missed the practice time required to achieve the highest level\u2014the performance level. But her qualifications did allow her to teach piano for many years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Being a career musician was not easy when Colette Maze was a young woman. Her bourgeois parents wanted to marry her off to a wealthy young man, but she refused, disliking his style and love of hunting. After World War 2, Colette gave birth to a son. The father left and Colette&#8217;s parents refused to support her, so she struggled for a while as a single mother.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"The Story of a 107-Year-Old Pianist | Colette Maze Interview | Thomann\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/Lu3cItl5VQ0?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"The 103-year-old pianist - BBC News\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/xN626c2-oow?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>But it was Colette\u2019s son, Fabrice Maze, who pushed her to record her music. Colette herself never had the desire to become famous, but Fabrice wanted to preserve her legacy. She is likely the only person alive who learned <a href=\"https:\/\/www.steinway.com\/artists\/alfred-cortot\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Alfred Cortot&#8217;s<\/a> influential piano method from Cortot himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So, at the age of 87, Colette recorded her first album. She has since recorded several more, with the latest, <em>109 Years of Piano<\/em> releasing summer of 2023. Likely the oldest pianist in the world, Colette has enjoyed viral success in recent years thanks to her steady stream of album releases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>Youth is inside us. If you appreciate what&#8217;s beautiful around you, you will find a sense of wonder in it.<\/p>\n<cite>Colette Maze <a href=\"https:\/\/www.npr.org\/sections\/deceptivecadence\/2021\/09\/20\/1036622670\/107-year-old-french-pianist-colette-maze-new-album\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">(NPR)<\/a><\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"piano-every-day\" style=\"font-size:32px\"><strong>Piano Every Day<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Today, Colette Maze still plays piano every day. Four to five hours a day, in fact. She has lived in the same place since she was 18 and owns two pianos: a Steinway baby grand and a Pleyel she received on her 18th birthday. (Pleyel et Cie. is a French piano manufacturer and the preferred brand of Fr\u00e9d\u00e8ric Chopin.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Colette\u2019s favorite composer is Claude Debussy. He died in 1918, when Colette was four years old, and the two of them actually lived near each other. Colette remarks that she may have even run into him at some point.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Colette Maze\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/GLejMJtDSNg?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Colette Maze discusses her love of Debussy and the albums she&#8217;s recorded of his music.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Other than some loss of sight and hearing, Colette is in good health and maintains the flexibility required to be acrobatic on the piano. Fabrice says there are three things Colette can\u2019t live without: cheese, chocolate, and a good glass of wine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>I would say (my piano) is like a friend and I need to feel it, listen to it.<\/p>\n<cite>Colette Maze <a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/RmrE9cJZ2Jw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">(Agence France-Presse)<\/a><\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-cyan-bluish-gray-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-cyan-bluish-gray-background-color has-background is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"6-questions-with-colette-maze\" style=\"font-size:32px\"><strong>6 Questions With Colette Maze<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>We are privileged to have connected with Colette Maze herself and ask her questions about her relationship with music. Here are her answers in both the original French and translated into English.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"what-do-you-love-about-debussy-why-is-he-your-favorite-composer-quaimez-vous-en-particulier-avec-debussy-pourquoi-est-il-votre-compositeur-prefere\" style=\"font-size:22px\"><strong>What do you love about Debussy? Why is he your favorite composer? <em>Qu&#8217;aimez-vous en particulier avec Debussy ? Pourquoi est-il votre compositeur pr\u00e9f\u00e9r\u00e9 ?&nbsp;<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><em>J\u2019ai rencontr\u00e9 Debussy durant mon enfance puisqu\u2019il \u00e9tait d\u2019usage de jouer les Children\u2019s corner et j\u2019aimais particuli\u00e8rement Golliwogg\u2019s Cakewalk, tr\u00e8s rythm\u00e9 et amusant. Debussy correspond \u00e0 ma sensibilit\u00e9 car beaucoup de ses compositions \u00e9taient inspir\u00e9es par le spectacle de la nature: Les vent dans la pluie, Des pas dans la neige, jardins sous la pluie, Clair de lune, Reflets dans l\u2019eau, Brouillards, Bruy\u00e8res, Feuilles mortes etc. C\u2019est ce que l\u2019on appelle de la musique \u00ab impressionniste \u00bb et j\u2019aime ces climats o\u00f9 il faut cr\u00e9er une ambiance, un r\u00eave \u00e9veill\u00e9. Je travaille toujours \u00e0 partir d\u2019une image qui m\u2019inspire. D\u2019ailleurs je pose souvent pr\u00e8s de la partition une production de tableau de Monet ou une photo de paysage. Je suis en connection avec Debussy car il correspond \u00e0 ma sensibilit\u00e9 profonde.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I first encountered Debussy as a child, as it was customary to play <em>Children&#8217;s Corner<\/em>, and I particularly liked &#8220;Golliwogg&#8217;s Cakewalk&#8221;\u2014very rhythmic and fun. Debussy&#8217;s compositions were inspired by the spectacle of nature: \u201cLes vent dans la pluie\u201d, \u201cDes pas dans la neige\u201d, \u201cJardins sous la pluie\u201d, \u201cClair de lune\u201d, \u201cReflets dans l&#8217;eau\u201d, \u201cBrouillards\u201d, \u201cBruy\u00e8res\u201d, \u201cFeuilles mortes\u201d and so on. It&#8217;s what&#8217;s known as &#8220;impressionist&#8221; music, and I love these climates where you have to create an atmosphere, a daydream. I always work from an image that inspires me. In fact, I often place a production of a Monet painting or a photo of a landscape next to the score. I&#8217;m connected with Debussy because he corresponds to my deepest sensibility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"you-talk-about-piano-like-its-been-a-lifelong-friend-can-you-expand-on-this-a-little-bit-how-has-the-piano-helped-you-through-challenging-times-in-your-life-vous-parlez-de-piano-comme-si-cetait-un-ami-de-toujours-pouvez-vous-nous-en-dire-un-peu-plus-comment-le-piano-vous-a-t-il-aide-a-traverser-les-moments-difficiles-de-votre-vie\" style=\"font-size:22px\"><strong>You talk about piano like it\u2019s been a lifelong friend; can you expand on this a little bit? How has the piano helped you through challenging times in your life?<\/strong> <em><strong>Vous parlez de piano comme si c&#8217;\u00e9tait un ami de toujours; pouvez-vous nous en dire un peu plus ? Comment le piano vous a-t-il aid\u00e9 \u00e0 traverser les moments difficiles de votre vie ?<\/strong><\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Effectivement, ma vie n\u2019a pas \u00e9t\u00e9 un long fleuve tranquille, d\u2019une part parce que le choix de la carri\u00e8re de pianiste ne plaisait pas \u00e0 mes parents, ni \u00e0 mon milieu social, d\u2019autre part, mon statut de \u00ab fille-m\u00e8re \u00bb dans les ann\u00e9es 50 \u00e9tait difficile \u00e0 vivre socialement. Donc, j\u2019ai d\u00fb travailler pour assurer financi\u00e8rement ma vie et celle de mon fils. Le p\u00e8re de mon fils m&#8217;a vite quitt\u00e9 et la vie d\u2019une femme seule n\u2019est pas gai. Donc, le piano est devenu mon refuge, ma bulle, ma respiration. C\u2019est dans la musique que je trouvais la chaleur et l\u2019affection qui me manquaient. Le piano \u00e9tait mon ami, mon confident.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It&#8217;s true that my life wasn&#8217;t a smooth ride, partly because my parents didn&#8217;t like the choice of a career as a pianist, and partly because my status as a &#8220;daughter-mother&#8221; in the &#8217;50s was difficult to live with socially. So I had to work in order to financially secure my life and that of my son. My son&#8217;s father soon left me, and the life of a single woman is not a happy one. So the piano became my refuge, my bubble, my breath. It was in music that I found the warmth and affection I was missing. The piano was my friend, my confidante.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Colette Maze interpr\u00e8te Debussy : &quot;Ondine&quot;\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/hgA_-e7CtBg?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"you-practice-every-day-how-do-you-stay-motivated-keep-practicing-vous-vous-entrainez-tous-les-jours-comment-restez-vous-motive-pour-continuer-a-pratiquer\" style=\"font-size:22px\"><strong>You practice every day. How do you stay motivated keep practicing?<\/strong><em><strong> Vous vous entra\u00eenez tous les jours. Comment restez-vous motiv\u00e9 pour continuer \u00e0 pratiquer ?<\/strong><\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><em>La musique est ma nourriture, ma respiration, ma raison d\u2019\u00eatre. D\u00e8s que je me l\u00e8ve, je me mets au piano pour me connecter avec les forces de vie. C\u2019est une habitude. Il en a toujours \u00e9t\u00e9 ainsi. Je n\u2019ai pas besoin de me motiver, c\u2019est naturel. C\u2019est comme une fonction automatique\u2026 Le sang circule dans notre corps et la musique circule dans mon \u00eatre. C\u2019est comme une nourriture essentielle.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Music is my food, my breath, my reason for being. As soon as I get up, I start playing the piano to connect with the forces of life. It&#8217;s a habit. It&#8217;s always been that way. I don&#8217;t need to motivate myself, it&#8217;s natural. It&#8217;s like an automatic function&#8230; The blood circulates in our body and music circulates in my being. It&#8217;s like essential nourishment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"whats-the-best-advice-youve-received-from-a-teacher-mentor-role-model-on-playing-piano-quel-est-le-meilleur-conseil-que-vous-ayez-recu-dun-enseignant-mentor-modele-pour-jouer-du-piano\" style=\"font-size:22px\"><strong>What\u2019s the best advice you\u2019ve received from a teacher\/mentor\/role model on playing piano?<em> <\/em><\/strong><em><strong>Quel est le meilleur conseil que vous ayez re\u00e7u d&#8217;un enseignant\/mentor\/mod\u00e8le pour jouer du piano ?<\/strong><\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><em>J\u2019ai \u00e9t\u00e9 enseign\u00e9e \u00e0 l\u2019\u00c9cole normale de musique de Paris et fa\u00e7onn\u00e9e par la m\u00e9thode Cortot qui repose sur le yoga et la souplesse. Donc, mes exercices reposent essentiellement sur la souplesse. Les pianistes actuels qui sont de brillants techniciens sont tendus et crisp\u00e9s. Les \u00e9paules, les coudes et les poignets doivent \u00eatre souples. Par ailleurs, il faut travailler le toucher des doigts, la force dans un gant de velours. On m\u2019avait appris le toucher du clavier en fonction du compositeur: plus raide avec Bach, plus contrast\u00e9 avec les romantiques, tout en caresses avec Debussy.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I was taught at the \u00c9cole Normale de Musique de Paris and shaped by the Cortot method, which is based on yoga and flexibility. So my exercises are essentially based on flexibility. Today&#8217;s brilliant pianists are tense and tight. Shoulders, elbows and wrists need to be supple. You also need to work on the feel of the fingers, the strength in a velvet glove. I was taught that keyboard touch depends on the composer: stiffer with Bach, more contrasting with the Romantics, more caressing with Debussy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"what-do-you-love-about-teaching-piano-do-you-have-any-favorite-moments-from-teaching-quaimez-vous-dans-lenseignement-du-piano-avez-vous-des-moments-preferes-de-lenseignement\" style=\"font-size:22px\"><strong>What do you love about teaching piano? Do you have any favorite moments from teaching?<em> <\/em><\/strong><em><strong>Qu&#8217;aimez-vous dans l&#8217;enseignement du piano ? Avez-vous des moments pr\u00e9f\u00e9r\u00e9s de l&#8217;enseignement?<\/strong><\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><em>J\u2019ai toujours enseign\u00e9, aussi bien \u00e0 l\u2019\u00c9cole Normale avant 1940 et \u00e0 partir de 1948. J\u2019ai \u00e9galement enseign\u00e9 dans un Conservatoire. Le but est de d\u00e9velopper une sensibilit\u00e9 et une compr\u00e9hension globale du morceau et du compositeur. Qui \u00e9tait Debussy, quels \u00e9taient les arts, peinture, sculpture, th\u00e9\u00e2tre de cette \u00e9poque et \u00e0 quel moment de la carri\u00e8re du compositeur le morceau avait \u00e9t\u00e9 compos\u00e9 ? C\u2019est une compr\u00e9hension globale qui permet de jouer en toute lucidit\u00e9 et intelligence. Pour les petites classes, j\u2019inventais des jeux, des images pour que l\u2019enseignement soit ludique. Jouer, c\u2019est la joie, la ga\u00eet\u00e9 et non une corv\u00e9e !<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I&#8217;ve always taught, both at the \u00c9cole Normale before 1940 and from 1948 onwards. I&#8217;ve also taught at a Conservatory. The aim is to develop a sensitivity and a global understanding of the piece and the composer. Who was Debussy, what were the arts \u2014 painting, sculpture, theater \u2014 of the time, and at what point in the composer&#8217;s career was the piece composed? It&#8217;s an all-encompassing understanding that makes it possible to play with lucidity and intelligence. For small classes, I invented games and images to make teaching fun. Playing is a joy and a pleasure, not a chore!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"do-you-have-any-advice-for-students-who-started-learning-piano-at-an-older-age-and-are-afraid-they-are-too-old-to-get-good-at-the-piano-avez-vous-des-conseils-a-donner-aux-eleves-qui-ont-commence-a-apprendre-le-piano-a-un-age-plus-avance-et-qui-craignent-detre-trop-vieux-pour-devenir-competents-au-piano\" style=\"font-size:22px\"><strong>Do you have any advice for students who started learning piano at an older age and are afraid they are \u201ctoo old\u201d to get good at the piano? <em>Avez-vous des conseils \u00e0 donner aux \u00e9l\u00e8ves qui ont commenc\u00e9 \u00e0 apprendre le piano \u00e0 un \u00e2ge plus avanc\u00e9 et qui craignent d&#8217;\u00eatre \u00ab trop vieux \u00bb pour devenir comp\u00e9tents au piano ?<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Il n\u2019y a pas d\u2019\u00e2ge pour jouer au piano. J\u2019ai continu\u00e9 \u00e0 progresser \u00e0 partir de 87 ans quand j\u2019ai enregistr\u00e9 mon premier album ! Bien \u00e9videmment, tout d\u00e9pend de l\u2019enseignement et du professeur. Il faut \u00e9couter les grands pianistes\u2026 L&#8217;essentiel est de prendre du plaisir \u00e0 jouer pour soi. Peu importe le niveau technique. On ne demande \u00e0 aucun pianiste de devenir concertiste. Chacun&nbsp; son niveau peut prendre du plaisir \u00e0 jouer ses compositeurs favoris.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There&#8217;s no age limit to playing the piano. I continued to progress from the age of 87 when I recorded my first album! Of course, everything depends on the teaching and the teacher. You have to listen to the great pianists&#8230; The most important thing is to enjoy playing for yourself. It doesn&#8217;t matter what your technical level is. We&#8217;re not asking any pianist to become a concert pianist. Everyone at their own level can enjoy playing their favorite composers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-cyan-bluish-gray-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-cyan-bluish-gray-background-color has-background is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"how-to-learn-piano-as-an-adult\" style=\"font-size:32px\"><strong>How to Learn Piano As an Adult<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>One of the most common questions we get as a piano teaching platform is: \u201cAm I too old to learn how to play piano?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You are not! In fact, we believe age can be an advantage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As an adult, you\u2019ve been exposed to music all your life. You can likely tap out a rhythm or hum a song with no problem. In other words: you have an existing musical background.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Adults also understand the value of practice. You\u2019ve likely studied, worked, and been responsible for others. You know that results take effort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We can\u2019t promise you viral success like Colette Maze (who, to be fair, first learned piano as a child), but it is <em>absolutely <\/em>possible for adults to play at an intermediate level, have fun, and show off a little. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So go out there and play \ud83d\ude42 <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>&gt; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/learn-piano-as-an-adult\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Learning Piano As an Adult: Tips &amp; Exercises<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<span class=\"blue-text-block\"><center><h2 style=\"font-size:22px\"><b>\ud83c\udfb9 Learn Piano With Real Teachers<\/b><\/h2><p>The best way to learn piano is with real teachers, but not everyone has the time and money for a private instructor. At Pianote, you can get real feedback from real experts\u2026all from the comfort of your own home. Explore our Method and community with a free 7-day trial.<\/p><p><\/p><a class=\"join\" href=\"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/trial\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">TRY PIANOTE FOR 7 DAYS<\/a><\/center><p><\/p><\/span>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>References and more info:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/xN626c2-oow\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">The 103-year-old pianist (BBC News)<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/3Sdy0K-Q6o0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">One Of The Oldest Pianists In The World &#8211; The Story Of 106-Year Old Colette Maze (DW)<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.forbes.com \/sites\/chrisobrien\/2023\/03\/31\/meet-colette-maze-the-108-year-old-french-pianist-releasing-a-new-album-in-2023\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Meet Colette Maze: The 108-Year-Old French Pianist Releasing A New Album In 2023 (Forbes)<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lefigaro.fr\/musique\/a-108-ans-la-pianiste-colette-maze-defie-le-temps-et-sort-un-nouvel-album-20230331\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">\u00c0 108 ans, la pianiste Colette Maze d\u00e9fie le temps et sort un nouvel album (Le Figaro)<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.npr.org\/sections\/deceptivecadence\/2021\/09\/20\/1036622670\/107-year-old-french-pianist-colette-maze-new-album\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">This French Pianist Has Been Playing For 102 Years And Just Released A New Album (NPR)<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/Lu3cItl5VQ0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">The Story of a 107-Year-Old Pianist&nbsp;| Colette Maze Interview (Thomann Music)<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Correction: A previous version of this article mistakenly stated that Colette Maze worked on her first album at age 84, when the correct age should be 87.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Colette Maze shares musical advice with over a century&#8217;s experience playing piano.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":49,"featured_media":14383,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1132],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-13966","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-articles"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13966","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/49"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=13966"}],"version-history":[{"count":31,"href":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13966\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":15965,"href":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13966\/revisions\/15965"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/14383"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=13966"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=13966"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=13966"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}