Although 5k is a bit too light a punishment, you people have
underestimated the hardships in a pianist's training.
There are a lot of grade 8 / diploma "pianists" (or wadeva
instruments) around in singapore who no need practice a lot still
good enough to show off to friends... Comparing to these people may
give you an illusion that they training is enjoyment.
But to become on top of the world a pianist needs to play AT LEAST
5 hours per day, plus listening may hours to other pianists
play.
EVERYDAY.
Such is the meaning of WORLD CLASS, and this applies not only to
musicians but also sportsmen or any other fields where it takes
hours of practice everday.
If you think one can depend on talent to be world class, or after 2
years still can catch up with practicing, then you have not tried
any training that is required to be the best in the world, be it in
music or sports or wadeva stuff that needs NON-STOP practice. In
fact there are countless sportsmen/musicians who try as hard but
still fail to achieve such rarefield level, which is why I
sympathize with those who tried but do not get recognition. And
also those who do but still kena suan by ppl.
These training are no less though than many NSF's training. Many
NSF spend time sleeping in bunks anyway. Moreover, if he is to
spend 2 years in SAF, even if he is to get an 8-5 job, yes he can
still be a professional pianist but he is not going to be world
class.
The argument against this particular pianist Melvyn Tan is that he
gets away to do what he enjoys and still get red carpet treatment.
So I think maybe instead of fining him merely 5k, maybe should let
him give free concerts for NSF guys for 2 years! Or teach piano
lessons to those guai pianists who stay in s'pore to serve army.
Such "punishment" makes him pay back in terms of time rather than
money, and somemore making full use of this time and his skill
acquired by skipping NS. This has to be more reasonable.
