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When I was younger, I played many difficult pieces, including concertos. People always praised me, but I always questioned it. I was so tired when I played, and I had to try so hard to play that I thought something must be wrong. People hand out praise irresponsibly. I listened to great pianists on LP's, people like Rudolph Serkin and Glenn Gould. I could hear them playing and singing at the same time. It sounded effortless. I thought at that time that there was something I was not doing right. I came to Matsumoto when I was 30 years old. I started then from the very beginning. You have all started your research, so now do it more.

I would like ten of you to come up and play Twinkle. (Eleven teachers played, one used the teacher's piano.) Make Twinkle C clear. Clear does not mean louder. Play Allegro. Keep the left hand the same throughout- it is not staccato. Play Alla Turca. (Only two or three teachers tried to play it.) Everyone should be playing! You are all teachers! Memorizing is not difficult. I used to think it was but when I started teaching the pieces so much I memorized them automatically. Try again, and this time I want everyone to at least try. Your backs are stiff because you do not know the piece. You MUST think you can do it!! At least try, so if you know a spot or two this will add up until you know the entire piece. It will not take long!