Thoughts About Piano Lessons....

Since I'm a piano teacher, I am often asked, "when..." or "why should my child start piano lessons?"

So, here are a few thoughts for the parents of little or big kiddos (or anyone, really) who are thinking about undertaking the joys and challenges of learning the piano.


1. Piano is probably the most important instrument for a child in western civilization to learn.

2. No other instrument trains children in so many areas of musical activity - (reading in more than one clef, counting rhythm while playing, using hands and feet to play, learning alphabetical note names and finger numbers, being able to sing while playing, etc, etc.), yet is so playable at a young age.

3.  Piano is worthy of study because it in itself is a masterful instrument. But, if, after enthusiasm has faded a bit for some, another instrument is desired, having learned piano first is an incredible foundation  and allows the child to progress quickly in another instrument.

4. Other instruments that are popular like guitar and drums have merit, but are best introduced after the child has actually learned how to read music and keep time in piano study.

5.  There will be difficult days ahead (but don't fear!!). The enthusiasm  (which usually appears around ages 5-8), will fade and you will find yourself coaxing an uninterested child into doing their practicing. But, I can't tell you how many people I've heard say to me, "I wish my parents had made me keep going with piano when I wanted to quit."  We will have to coax our children in many worthwhile endeavors, and this should be one of them.

6. It is worth the monetary investment. Don't shy away from private teacher costs. If it presents a true hardship, some teachers will help work something out.

7. Don't be deterred if your child responds with, "Piano lessons?? I don't want to take piano lessons!" This happened just a few months ago as a mom was signing up her young son for lessons. I looked at him and said. "WHAT? Don't you know that the piano is the greatest, and mightiest of ALL the instruments? It's the LION of the instruments!" To which his eyes got huge and sparkly and he gave me a shy smile. :-)  Be firm and enthusiastic (and pray for a like-minded teacher!).

So, there are some thoughts as you ponder whether it's worth it. I'll give you 2 seconds to figure out what my opinion is.  :-)

Part two of this post will be about signs of readiness for starting lessons.


What were your experiences with piano?
What do you think about the importance of children learning to play?

Be Careful Little Ears What You Hear

I was at a park with the kiddos the other day, and was walking past an SUV, from which obnoxious and obscene music was coming... several derogatory-to-women lyrics were interspersed with various curse words...  As I walked by, my grumbling at this noise pollution turned to horror as I saw three children under the age of (what looked like) six sitting in there, waiting for their parent/s and listening to those lyrics as they sat. 

What in the world are we thinking, when we allow little ears to hear things that are not really appropriate for us, let alone, an innocent and very absorbing little mind? 

Some time ago, there was a little girl belting out Nicki Minaj's "Super Bass" on a popular talk show, and everyone thought it was great. I think I am the lone ranger who found it extremely sad. 

Think about what Nicki Minaj portrays in her (soft-porn) videos, and then also take this selection of lyrics from the above mentioned song: 

From "Super Bass" 

He pop bottles and he got the right kind of bill
He cold, he dope, he might sell coke
He always in the air, but he never fly coach
He a &$#%@!$&* trip, trip, sailor of the ship, ship
When he make it drip, drip kiss him on the lip, lip
That's the kind of dude I was lookin' for
And yes you'll get slapped if you're lookin' hoe

and later...

He just gotta give me that look, when he give me that look
Then the panties comin' off, off, uh

The whole place stood up and applauded after this little girl sang this. 
I wanted to cry. 


We are daft if we think the words and images that are produced in our culture to illicit sales based on sexual  lust and desire for beauty/fame, will not influence our children because they are "too little to understand." 
It IS true: they are too little to understand... so why in the world would we develop a taste for these base things in our kids' minds, when they can not fully comprehend what they may be communicating and what the intent is behind these words? 

  

So, I appeal to you: be aware and discerning about what your child hears, both in your presence and with family or friends. We may not be able to control everything they hear, but our responsibility is to guide them into pure and true and beautiful things that build up character and imagination. 


We must not destroy their innocence just because we happen to "like" that music, or think it's "cute" when little  Jane sings about seducing a boy with her body or laugh when Jimmie drops the f-bomb. “They don’t really understand… They’re just being expressive.” 
Not OK. 
Curb these things away from children, do not make excuses and allow them. Your child’s very character is at stake.   

So please, invest in building the beauty of your child's mind and steer clear of making premature adults out of our precious children.  

If These Old Walls Could Hear...

One of the most important things we can do to help our children learn how to carry a tune is to carry one ourselves! Which leads me to my question of the day...

Are you singing?

Is happiness, grief, and anything in between coming out of you in song throughout the day?

When was the last time you walked around the house singing some tune that was in your head? When did you feel so inspired and content that your heart led you to a song?
Hopefully, it wasn't that long ago.

Kids hear that, you know... and it does them a lot of good.

As stated before, I think that singing is the most important part of training a child to know and understand music - hearing melody in fast and slow, high and low tones does wonders for opening up their musical mind. And then pair all that with a strong emotion. Powerful stuff.

Do you ever hear your child singing by themselves somewhere in the home and think, "that's so wonderful. I love to hear him/her sing..." Well, they think the same thing about you!

So, again, when was the last time you sang as you went about your daily tasks? Or as you were driving in the car? Or as you were working outside?
Are you singing in front of your kids? Are you teaching them the tunes you loved as a child?

You don't even need to have a "music" slot in your day - just let the happiness, sadness, contentment, weariness, joy - whatever in your heart come out in song throughout the day. Sing like no one is listening... but I bet you someone is. And they love to hear it.

Beautiful music... can calm the agitations of the soul. 

It is one of the most magnificent and delightful gifts God gas given. 

-Martin Luther

Why Music?

Some of you may be wondering why you, me or any parent needs to spend time trying to do musical things with young children... even babies.  I mean, really... do they NEED music?

Well, you can probably guess where I'm going with this... but it's not down the path of... "music's great because it makes your child smarter. It helps them participate with others. It helps with math. It helps with reading." That’s like saying: ice cream is important. It allows you to make a milkshake and provides a catalyst for sprinkles and cherries. It’s really important for chocolate, providing a vehicle for this important food item to be presented. Are all those things true? Sure. But, when it comes down to it, ice cream is just pretty stinkin’ great in and of itself.
Same thing with music. As we musicians say, music for music's sake.

Why bother with music so early? Why not wait until my kids get it in school?
Often by then, it's too late.

A famous composer, Zoltan Kodaly, when discussing the importance of music in early childhood, made this comment:
"What a child has heard in the first six years of life cannot be eradicated later. Thus, it is too late to begin teaching at school, because a child stores a mass of musical impressions before school age; and if what is bad predominates, then his fate, as far as music is concerned, has been sealed for a lifetime."

Any research will tell you that the most critical development in a child is between 0-7 years. These are precious, formative years in children. 

Think of a flower - Changing from a seed into a flower is extremely complex - and the most dramatic change is in its first part of life - morphing from a kernel to roots, stem and bud.

 Each child is born with the natural ability to talk and problem-solve, they are also born with an innate musical ability. This musical potential in each child is vulnerable to positive influences and to negative ones.... but perhaps the most common negative affect is that of neglect.

We must help to form and shape our child's musical ability. All the materials are there in his/her brain for forming melody, experiencing movement and rhythm, expressing ideas, thoughts and emotions through sound... but they can not draw them out and organize them on their own. They need someone to draw these qualities out and nurture them to healthy growth.

An imperfect analogy is that of puzzle pieces scattered on a table… they can form into a cohesive, beautiful puzzle.. but the pieces need to be organized in order for the wonderful whole to be brought about. Children need help to make sense of their musical abilities by engaging in stimulating musical experiences.
Many kids only get about 3 corners of their puzzle set up because there is not enough stimulation of their musical being.

Think about how you teach your child to speak or read. Would you expect him/her to learn the language without you ever speaking to them or using inappropriate grammar to teach them? Certainly not. They learn directly from you. They need our proactive leadership and example in music as well. 

So, before it's too late, get involved in musically crafting your child. You don't need to be an expert, but seek to grow in your own musical ability or creativity so that you can give the precious gift of a musically stimulated mind to your child. 

Traditions Passed On

I married into a great family. I love my own family too, of course, but I'm thankful for my husband's (and now my) family too.
Little K's middle name is after his Grandpa. This Grandpa is a rugged man who enjoys singing his heart out. When we go up north to visit, Grandpa always brings his guitar out and starts singing some old hymns or songs from the country. In church, Grandpa is one of the strongest singers and won't hesitate to share his love for singing of his Lord when asked to do so for a special song.
He loves to sing with his kids, too. They grew up seeing and hearing about what he holds dear. That may be why all three of his kids love music and it's a big part of their lives too.

What I am thankful for is this gift being observed by his grandkids. There is already a sacred fascination grandkids have with their grandparents... and one of many things I love about my father in law (and my own dad too) is that he sings his heart out.
I can remember standing next to my dad in church when I was little and I think I asked him to sing quieter because I was getting embarrassed that he was so loud (sorry Dad....). But I remember him singing. And singing with emotion. It still left an impression.

Lots of people sing. And for many reasons... some more lasting than others. But what speaks to me - and what I imagine will speak to my kids - is what is so beautiful about music... that is transcends time and is a vehicle for expressing your deepest emotions - gratitude, awe, love, sorrow... It is not for the nerdy kids or the emotional ones. It's for my rugged, won't-sit-and-rest-for-5-minutes, hunting, log-splitting father-in-law; and I pray my boys find that type of freedom to express their deepest feelings in robust and tender song.

Why do kids of musicians grow up and want nothing to do with music?

I've seen it too many times... Two parents. Drawn dynamically together by love for each other and sharing a love for music. They had great plans of raising their kids to know and experience the same love THEY have for beautiful things in music. But, over the years, the love dwindled, the follow-through became difficult, and the kids never saw anything really worth pursuing in music because mom and dad didn't really either.

Do I want this for my family? No! Can I see it happening? ....Yes.

It's not necessarily bad, right? The kids will go their own way, find their own likes and dislikes. Music must not have been their thing.

I don't know if that will fly with me though... Although, I think I will need to incorporate different methods than I had previously imagined....

My oldest is only 4. Already, I don't know if I can communicate to him why great, deep things in music are so important, so worthy of listening and studying and getting lost in. I want to play Bach, Beethoven, Brahms all day and have him say to me, "Yes, Mother - I see its worth - it's beautiful! I want to listen to this all day!!"

OK, maybe not exactly that.. but I have been thinking and wondering how to develop in my children a love for music that is modeled by who they see the most. Us.

I realize that all this must be age appropriate. I realize that "fine" things in life take time to be appreciated. But, I am up for the challenge of making my silly, athletic little boys giddy with glee about wonderful things in music - because I truly believe and feel that there are SO MANY wonderful things to be experienced when music wraps itself around us and speaks to us in ways only it alone can. It is a mysterious and wonderful thing.... a great gift. Can I share this joy with my family?

We shall see....