Nicolas Leonard
Mrs. English
Comp. 1
9-22-14
Benjamin Zander: Ted Talk
In
the Ted talk, “The transformative power of classical music,”
Bejamin Zander begins with a brief statement describing how some
people believe that classical music is dying. However, others
believe, “You aint seen nothin' yet.” He also adds that he does
not want to tell you statistics of all the orchestras that are
closing, and record labels that are folding. He wants to do a little
experiment, even though he already knows what the outcome will be.
Zander then begins playing what a seven year old pianist sounds like.
Then he jumps to a year later including the child having lessons
throughout said year. He keeps going till ten and proclaims that they
usually give up by then. But if they would of kept playing till
eleven, Zander states, then they could of played wonderfully. He
follows this up with a beautiful symphony that the child could of
played.
Zander
talks about how you may think the reason for the child playing better
could be because of puberty, passion or a new teacher. But he
actually is using less impulses in his playing each year. In stead of
focusing so much on making sure his piece is played correctly, the
child looks at the beginning and the end. No impulses and no worries.
I believe Zander was not trying to tell us how to play and love
classical music. No, I think he was trying to tell us how we should
experience life. Don't base life off of impulses, just look at point
A then point B and get there. Don't follow your same patterns and
methods of achieving things day by day. Just look at your end goal
and get yourself there.
