Writing Exercise: Letter to Keller from Paul: Maestro by Peter Goldsworthy

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Letter Plan:

-to Keller

-doesn’t need his help

-sick of his advice

-epiphany that he isn’t as good as he wants to be, won’t be a famous pianist

-is grateful

-can now move on with his life

Herr Keller,

I would like to thank you deeply, from the bottom of my heart. Your advice to me about my work seemed irrelevant to me a couple of days ago.  I felt that you looked too deep into my work and that you didn’t seem to appreciate my work. I felt that I didn’t need a book of notes or advice every time I sent you a letter or a tape recording of myself. I just wanted you to listen to it. I didn’t want you to tell me all the bad stuff all the time. Sometimes I just wanted to get a reply where you were satisfied or at least close to satisfied. I was over-filled with anger when I sent you a tape-recording of me playing, not only to receive criticism but pages and pages full of it! After reading only the first page, I decided to chuck it in the bin. Feeling of regret over-came me, and I retrieved it to read the rest.

That’s when I knew. Playing the piano isn’t my special talent. It’s a hobby, but all my hope in becoming something grande, just vanished. Just like that. I now know that I will never become a famous pianist, because when I get negative criticism I don’t take it well and how do I expect to be great  when I can’t improve? That’s why I’m grateful… you have made me realise that I need to move on from my aspirations.

I would’ve come up north to visit you and play, days on end. However, my duties as boyfriend are more important to me. I love Rosie and I think I always will. I’ve loved playing the piano, but it’s something that I am not sure about in the future.

You were a great teacher, nothing to compare to! However, all your hard work came to rubbish, because I was just an average pianist. Maybe someday I could teach piano and teach a young child how to become truly great at playing the piano. 

I hope someday we can meet again. Thank you ever so much for everything you have taught me, and I know that I will most definitely teach your lessons to other people who want to learn. You have endured such a painful life, and everyday must’ve been a learning curve for you. That’s why you were so great and beautiful at playing the piano, because every time you played, you were your best critic and worst critic. My arrogance is stopping me from being a better pianist. I can now move on with my life, and I only have you to thank for opening my eyes to this.

All the best,

Paul Crabbe.