Beethoven

Beethoven was forced to brutal practice for long hours during the day and into the night. It was also rumored that the young boy was forced to stand in front of the keyboard for long periods of time frequently in tears. His father, who was strict, would physically discipline him. This physical abuse is rumored to have lead to his deafness. The abuse received by Beethoven from his father made Beethoven seek comfort from his mother and grandfather.
             Johann was a terrible alcoholic; some nights when his father would come home after an all night drinking binge, he would wake the young boy up from a deep sleep and make him practice. He was a very strict "teacher". .
             Christian Gottlob Neefe was Beethoven's first important teacher. It is not known for sure when he started teaching the young child. Neefe was not a well known keyboardist himself but could see Beethoven's compassion and brilliance. Beethoven once said about his teacher and mentor, "I thank you for the advice you gave me so frequently and which was instrumental in the development of my dive art. Should I ever become a great man, you too will have a share in my success." (Solomon, 1977, pg. 26) Neefe's supervision helped to produce Beethoven's talent more quickly. He had Beethoven study Bach and encouraged him to use more improvising on the keys. When Beethoven was eleven he had three piano pieces published and the following year when his teacher left town for a short while the young child was put in charge as court organist.
             Joseph Haydn was passing though London when he had heard of the young man with incredible talent. He motivated the young man to move to Vienna and study under him. Ready to make a name for him in the center of the music world, "he bought a wig, silk hose, and a fashionable coat-sartorial trimming planned for his visits to the salons and places." (Ewen, 1966, pg. 30) He later dropped the idea of trying to "fake" his name.