when to start piano lessons for children

Tis the season of deciding what activities, sports, and lessons will fill our summers and falls.  Often, I get asked what age a child should start taking piano lessons.  Age certainly has a lot to do with it, but there are some other things to factor in as well.  I thought it would be an appropriate time to list a few things that I believe help a student become successful right from the start with piano lessons.

AGE

Truly, age is not going to determine whether or not your child will become a master pianist.  I've seen some 6 year old kids flourish and some 6 year old kids that are totally uninterested and far too squirmy.  But I've seen the same with 9 year olds.  So, like I say, age is only part of it.  I started lessons when I was 7 and, as a general rule, I think that's a great age to start.  That would be my recommendation.

ABILITY TO READ

This is huge.  (To be clear, I'm not talking about "reading music."  I'm talking about "reading," as in "reading books.")  Sure, there are method books out there specifically designed for students who can't read but want to learn how to play the piano.  It's definitely possible.  But in my experience, it's better use of money and time to just wait the additional year or so it takes for your child to begin reading.  I've seen that my piano students are able to learn more and at a faster pace when they are already reading.  The ability to read is also a plus for the parents.  Piano books have instructions in them and when you have a child that can read, they are able to function on their own a bit more for practice time.

A DESIRE

No, your child will probably not wake up everyday excited to practice, but there needs to be some sort of drive behind why they're learning to play the piano.  Maybe they saw an older girl play the piano and sing, and they hope to be just like her.  Maybe they went to a concert, saw a guy play the piano, and got inspired.  Or maybe they just love spending time at the piano each day.  Whatever it is, you grab onto it.  There may be seasons where they lose this passion and beg for you to let them quit, but you press forward.  You trust that thing deep down in them that you saw at one point.  I pleaded for my mom to let me quit piano more times than I can count.  I ended up loving it and majoring in Music Education with a Piano Emphasis in college.  Now I enjoy playing in my church, writing songs, performing with my band, and teaching piano lessons.  So just because your child is crying tears of agony because they don't want to practice doesn't mean that desire isn't still there.  Sometimes you just need to help bring it out of them.

AFFIRMATION

So much of a child's success in piano lies in this very thing - parental affirmation.  A parent's desire to be involved and keep with it is just as important as the child's.  You need to be ready to stand firm by not letting them quit too easily or get swamped by other activities.  Parents must realize the lifelong purpose behind piano lessons so you can know in your own mind that it's worth it while also conveying that to your children.  They need your encouragement.

Along with various piano teaching methods, there are different teachers with different teaching styles.  For my personality and the way I prefer to teach, these are the things I think make piano lessons successful for a child.

As far as other instruments are concerned, these things are good to consider before starting any kind of music lessons.  However, different instruments do require different things from children.  In general, piano is a great starting point no matter what instrument your child hopes to focus on.  It provides such a wonderful base of music education.

I want to end with this:  I think ALL children can benefit from piano lessons.  I don't think you need to exhibit special skills and abilities in order to do well with it.  I've seen children push through apathetic parents or rise above age level expectations.  The piano can be for everyone.  Aside from actually learning to play the piano, the life skills I've learned from piano lessons are innumerable.  (Another post for another day!)  You and your child will not regret it!

BFBN: pushing through with music

Three things.

First of all, I wanted to share something exciting with you all.  Yesterday, Duke's nursery (with lovely pictures by Makenzie) was featured on parents.com!  I know you guys have already seen the many pictures of his nursery, but I'd love it if you'd check it out on their website!

Second, I'm over on Maureen's blog today talking about managing toddler behavior in the midst of holiday chaos.  I've found a couple things to be helpful - like sticking with our discipline and maintaining a decent sleep schedule.  Click here to read my post!

Lastly, enjoy Rachel's post here about something very dear to my heart - sticking with piano lessons.  She speaks the truth!

I took piano lessons from the age of 8 until the age of 18. Did I practice all the time? Heavens no. Was I super happy and excited to be taking lessons every year? Not really. Am I glad now that I stuck it out? Absolutely.

I can't tell you how many people I've spoken to as an adult who said they regretted quitting piano lessons. When asked why they quit they said that they just weren't interested, and their parents didn't make them. I wanted to quit, but wasn't allowed. Afterwards, I was so happy to have learned the basics and felt very thankful to my mother for not letting me quit.

Here are some reasons for helping your kids stick out the music lessons.

1. Kids live in the moment.

A child is not able to look into the future and understand how they might be grateful for this skill. They won't understand that it often requires self-sacrifice in the present to attain something for the future. I personally, though I know many others would disagree, think it is okay to require our children to stick it out. At least for a while. I would ask my mother every so often to quit, get told no, and get on with it. I was allowed to quit participating in recitals when I humiliated myself, but even that didn't make me hate the piano. After having travelled for a few years and not touched the piano once, I sat down to the piano and was still able to play. Rusty, sure. But you don't forget your chords!

2. They'll never have more time than now.

There's nothing like putting something off to your 20's or 30's thinking you will have more time. Give me a break. Children have more time now than ever to get into music and let it become an outlet for both entertainment and healing. I don't recommend having your children burn both ends of the candle in an effort to make them "well-rounded" but if music is a priority for your family then now is the time to start. Now, when they are young enough to soak it up like sponges.

3. It teaches discipline and pushing through.

I won't go Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mom on you, but there is surely something to be said for self-discipline and motivation with respect to music lessons. My mother would set a timer for me when it was time to sit down. Whether or not I wanted to I would practice. I'm no Mozart and, even now, truly wish I had paid more attention and become more motivated. However, it did require effort on my part and each week I was held accountable for my progress. I think this is a great way to teach our children some life lessons along with this skill.

If your kids are hem hawing about quitting lessons, I encourage you to persevere. Perhaps take the summers off for a break, but know that music lessons are gifts that you are giving your children that will continue to keep giving right through their adulthood. Music, unlike soccer lessons (nothing against soccer) is an outlet for creativity, and being able to read music and understand some basic theory will mean they are able to pick up other instruments or even singing as they go through life.

I believe it is a lucky child indeed who is able to say as an adult, "I can play the so-and-so, and am so glad I didn't give up."

Rachel blogs at A Mother Far from Home. 

weekend review - recitals, fevers, and iced coffee

Most of this weekend was spent trying to get Duke back to his normal self.  He had a fever on Wednesday night and continued having one off and on all the way through Saturday.  All day/night Friday was spent cuddling and watching "Arthur" or "The Doodlebops."

Saturday morning we had our last band practice for The Lockout.  The arranging is done!  Now we just need to get in the studio and record all of it.

(Phil helped Duke with some sick beats.)

My spring piano recital for my students was that afternoon.

They all did a great job!  It's really fun to see them improve and have the confidence to perform in front of others.  It's not easy!

Colt took Duke to the doctor on Saturday to make sure we weren't overlooking a bigger problem (ear infection, strep throat, UTI, etc.).  Turns out, everything was fine.  Evidently it's just this viral thing going around with a fever/cough/fatigue combination that makes for a very sad baby.  Duke hasn't been difficult.  He's been so chill.  While it has been very sweet to get lots of cuddle time in, I just want him to feel better.  But I think it's on its way out, so that's good.

I stayed home with Duke on Sunday morning since he couldn't be in the nursery.  After naps, I headed to the Omega House at CRBC to sing with Karlie and Mark.

We did a little T Swift, JT, and a couple of Karlie's originals.  It's always so much fun getting to make music with them.  (And the Pioneer Woman's iced coffee was to die for.  Thanks, Makenzie. :))

Colt and I ended our weekend by watching the Billboard Music Awards.  I have way too many opinions on that thing so we'll just have to save that post for another day.

Have a lovely Monday!

the first piano i ever touched

My parents were thrilled to have an opportunity to get their first, very own, black baby grand piano.

(Why is it that the people who deserve and will use the heck out of those things never get them until they're halfway through their life while other people simply use them as home decor?  Annoying.)

I'm so excited for them.  That piano will be taken care of and will get so much use in their home.

Because this piano would be living in their piano room, they had to do a little switcheroo with their other pianos.  I won't bore you with the details, but the exciting part is this:  I got to switch out our piano (my first piano, the one they gave us a few years ago) with their upright piano (which is nicer and has 4,970 memories attached to it).  This piano was my mom and dad's first piano.  It's lasted my mom all of her years and years of songwriting, piano teaching, and provided all 3 of her children with a place to practice.

This is the piano I learned on.  Although I don't know this for a fact, I would venture to say that this is the first piano I ever touched with my own two sticky toddler hands.

I learned my first scale on this piano.  I learned some of my most favorite pieces on this piano.  I learned how to read chord charts on this piano.  I learned how to sing and play at the same time on this piano.  I learned how to write songs on this piano.

And now it's in my home.  What a gift!

When the piano switch was made several weeks ago, I stood there for awhile in our music room just looking at it.  Then I noticed the pile of music that needed to be put back into this new piano bench.  I opened the bench and this is what I saw.

Immediately, tears started to fill my eyes.  These were my two favorite pieces I played during my elementary years.

My dad would come home from work, sit down on the couch, and ask me to play "Touch a Rainbow."  And I did.  He'd close his eyes and maybe doze off for 5 minutes before the craziness of an evening with 3 kids and their activities began.  I was 8 years old when I played that piece and as far as I can remember, it was my first piece to play with my hands not in a position.  I felt so old and experienced as my left hand spread out over the keys. 

"The Music Box" is one of those pieces that has always stuck with me.  Although I've never remembered it perfectly, there have been many times in my life when I've sat down at a piano and played through the right hand line.  I'll never forget that melody.  I remember looking at it for the first time and thinking, "There's hardly any white on this page!  No way I can play it!"  But I was wrong.  I could play it and I did when I was 9 years old.

The note from my mom was just the cherry on top.  Moms just have that way of making you cry.

This piano represents so many things to me, but one thing that stands out is perseverance.

If I had a nickel for every time someone said they took lessons as a kid, hated it, begged their parents to quit, and now wish they would've kept going, I'd be living in a mansion, eating fancy chocolate, and watching Bravo all day long.

I can't tell you how many times I cried and asked mom to let me quit.  I remember specifically that one time my excuse was that I knew what I needed to know to play the piano on my own.  (I have a feeling that my college piano professor, Dr. Bell, would've sweetly disagreed with that statement.)

Perseverance is something we all need a little dose of.  Period.  For me, my first encounter with it was in playing the piano.

I learned that giving up doesn't ever end up feeling as good as pushing through.  Even if it's painful or hard.  And because I kept taking lessons and my mom kept saying, "No, you can't quit," I now have something that a price can't be put on.  Playing the piano is a part of my every day life.  I can't imagine my life without it.  If ever my parents wondered why they were sinking all of that money into piano lessons, those doubts are long gone.  They've seen me use it over and over.  And besides the fact that it's something I can do, it's something that I love to do! 

Because of this piano, my life is different.

29 pages in my heart

It's only happened twice, which is surprising because I listen to the Classical Radio station (90.1) often.  The first time, I heard it when I was driving home from parent-teacher conferences back in 2009.  Then it happened again a few weeks ago.  I heard Grieg's Piano Concerto in A minor.

I was sitting on our greenish-blueish couch with spit up stains, minding my own business on the internet next to Colt who was doing the same.  When that A minor chord struck, my hands immediately went straight up to cover my mouth as I let out a huge gasp.  As the chords made their way down the piano, my eyes filled with tears.  (Colt is totally thinking I'm a nutcase at this point.)

Guys, I can't tell you what this piece means to me, but I'm going to try.  I'm going to try because I've never really put it into words before, because I want to remember all of it, and because I want to say thank you.

Sometime during my sophomore year in college, my piano professor, Dr. Bell (perfectly fitting name for this lady, I tell you), asked me if I'd like to work on a concerto.  Of course, this would be in preparation to audition for Concerto Aria my junior year.  I was scared and excited all at the same time.  This was going to be a huge commitment.  Practicing 2-3 hours a day on my regular repertoire was already my usual routine.  Throwing a concerto in the mix was going to add to my load.  But I was up to the challenge.  By this point in my college career, I had absolutely fallen in love with my major.  I was not always in love with the fact that I was so SO busy, but it was worth it.  I loved what I was doing.

When she told me which concerto I'd be working on, I remember opening the book to see what I had gotten myself into.  The 1st movement of the concerto (the one I was going to play) was 29 pages.  29 pages.  Buckle up, Claire.

I was a Music Education major with an emphasis in piano - the only one in my class.  It felt weird at times.  "Why do you want to teach music in public schools and not have a vocal emphasis?" was the kind of question I got.  But piano was my deal.  Voice was not.  Yes, voice was my deal in the realm of singing in choirs and songwriting.  But solo voice was not.  Those are all completely different things.  Therefore, the piano emphasis.

The fact that I was an education major doing something that was kind of expected of a performance major (auditioning for Concerto Aria) made me extra nervous.  I felt like I was out of my league.  But I said I was going to do it and when I say I'm doing something, I do it.  You guys know this.

Practicing and preparing was quite the experience.  Getting my fingers to do the things this music asked of me was torture sometimes.  They can't move this fast, I would yell in my mind.  I spent many days in Ford Music Hall working on the same 4 measures over and over and over.  I cried.  I angrily played the keys.  I probably threw music on the floor.  It was so hard.  Music already has a default amount of emotion running through it, but then to take it, learn it, and make it your own, you're just adding to that emotion.  It sucked everything out of me.  But it gave me so much in return.

The day for auditions came and yes, I had learned it.  Those 29 pages were in my fingers, in my memory, and in my heart.  

It didn't go so well.

I mixed stuff up.  I fumbled through some passages.  Things weren't clean.  I played it, but it was sloppy.  I remember getting done and feeling like my brain was telling my hands to get with the program and catch up, but they just couldn't.  It wasn't awful, but it wasn't good enough.  I didn't make the cut.

Although the professors totally made the right decision based on my audition, I was devastated.

The next time I was home with my parents, I sat in the back room and cried about it.  This was my only chance to ever play with an orchestra behind me.  I wasn't a solo piano performer and I didn't really want to be.  This was the time to do it.  I asked so many why questions.  Why didn't I play it like I did that one time in my lesson?  Why did I miss those accidentals that I never miss?  Why, why, why?  There wasn't really an answer.  Just like anything else in life, some days are just off days.  Things don't always work the way you know they can and the way they normally do.

I went to Concerto Aria that year and listened to Kara, the pianist that made it.  (I think she was the only pianist, but I can't really remember.)  Her performance was beautiful.  The concerto she played is still one of my most favorite pieces now.  She totally deserved it and did a great job.

So when I heard my concerto coming through those radio speakers a few weeks ago, my brain flashed through all of this, hence the tears.  It was such a journey for me.  I would love to be able to work that whole thing back up someday.  But so much of me thinks, there's no way I could do it without Dr. Bell.  And honestly, it's half true.  I'm sure with lots (and lots) of time, I could eventually crap my way through it again.  But I don't think I'll ever be able to play it the way I did on my best day under the direction of Dr. Bell.

Oh, the things that woman taught me.  I became a different pianist because of her.  I left college with knowledge I never could've imagined I'd have.  I owe so much of what I know to her.  And to her push.  She didn't accept halfway and I certainly didn't want to give her halfway.  I wanted her approval.  When she gave you a compliment, it was a big deal.  It made your whole day.  She didn't just hand them out.  You had to earn them.

Along with Dr. Bell, my friends and family played a vital role in this experience as well.

As silly as it sounds, they believed in me.  There were a few times when visiting home on the weekends that my mom would set up the keyboard next to our piano and play the orchestral part along with me, just like Dr. Bell did in my lessons.  (That in itself could make me cry just thinking about it.)  What a special memory I have doing that with her.

My friends would sit on the floor in Ford Music Hall and just listen.  They'd bring their homework and provide me company while I practiced.  All you folks with "normal majors" can study together.  We piano majors can't bring our pianos anywhere we go.  We're pretty limited.  So my friends came to me.  They brought me coffee and they said I was the best piano player they'd ever heard, which is only because they haven't heard enough piano players.

Listening to that concerto the other night just brought all of this back to me.  Isn't it amazing how much can be wrapped up into one piece?  A million thank yous and a million things I learned and a million wonderful moments - all in Grieg's Concerto in A minor.  Those 29 pages aren't really in my fingers or memory anymore, but they are still in my heart.

weekend review - piano contests, dunkin donuts, and beyonce

Busy, busy weekend.  Friday and Saturday night, Colt and I did music with our band for a weekend youth event at our church.  Saturday morning, I judged a little piano contest.

It sure is nice being on the other side of these things.  I was a nervous wreck going to piano contests as a child, thinking these judges were out to get me.  But it's just not true.  I loved seeing these precious little people come in, play well, and feel successful.

After all the craziness of Saturday, I plopped myself on the couch that night to enjoy a little snack, a few episodes of Felicity, and a little baby book updating time.

I obviously had my share of Dunkin Donuts this week.

On Sunday, I was completely in awe of the Super Bowl Halftime Show just like everybody else was.

(Minus the few people on Facebook that said it was "the worst halftime show ever" and that Beyonce "dances weird."  The worst halftime show ever?  Really?  And as far as dancing goes, I'm not a dancer.  But "weird" is the last word I would use to describe Beyonce's totally awesome moves.  Y'all just jealous.)

Okay, changing the subject.

Don't forget about the jingle contest!  If you missed it, my mom, sister, and I entered the Safe Auto "Do the Jingle" Contest and we need your help.  Go over to the left, click on the "Do the Jingle" picture, and vote as many times as possible!  Voting closes February 28th.

Also, I wanted to tell you about my really cool friends that have a really funny basketball blog and are now going to make a really great musical called The Lockout.  Our band was honored to be asked to put the music to their tunes.  A funny musical about basketball with indie pop-rock songs?  You don't want to miss it.  Click here to read more and find out how you can help.

Have a great week!

Linking up with:
Sami's Shenanigans 
Life of Love

weekend review - bongos, stillwater, and a recital

It's always nice to have a weekend every once and awhile where you actually get things done.

Friday we went to Blackwatch to record.  We finished up my piano stuff and Colt's lead vocals.  Next up are background vocals.  We're getting so close!

(Bongos and rice cereal ... oh, and a lighter.) 

(No bongos are actually being used on our album by the way.)

We got McDowell's on the way home.  (That's our name for McDonald's.  Makes it sound a little nicer and not as toxic to our bodies, right?)  I enjoyed every single fry.  I'm not ashamed.

We spent all day Saturday in Stillwater with Colt's family.  This was my view for most of the day:

Isn't it wonderful?  Their deck is just one of the best places to be.

Yesterday was recital day for my piano students.  They were beyond thrilled.

That's a joke.  Most students hate recitals and dread them from the moment their teacher writes the date on their assignment book.  That's how I was at least.  It's funny being on the other side of things now.  Although I do get anxious for my students to play, I get to actually enjoy the recital.  

Nerves typically just go with the territory of performing, but a goal of mine is to try my hardest to create a relaxed atmosphere from the beginning.  I want my students to feel at ease from the moment they step foot in my house for their first lesson all the way to their first recital and so on. They all did a great job and played very well.

So, I'd say I got a lot done this weekend.  Oh, and I even shaved my legs.  Now that's an accomplishment!

tales of piano mishaps

I started recording with Aaron one evening before we left for vacation in Portland.  We were about 1 1/2 hours into it and something happened.  My keyboard went crazy.  By crazy, I mean when I played a C, it sounded a C and a C#.  If that doesn't mean anything to you, just know that it's not pretty.  (Well, it's not pretty when it's not meant to be played like that.)  This issue was happening on several notes in no particular pattern or order.  We tried what we could, but the problem was not resolved.

As any musician does with their instrument, I have had a decent share of keyboard issues.  One time, we were playing a show and the song was done ... but my organ sound was not done.  It continued to sound.  Naturally, I freaked out and pushed every button possible and it stopped.  Later, I figured out what happened.  Never again.

There have been many times where my sustain pedal has freaked out and sustains nothing.  Not a very pleasant or musical sound.  That issue was solved with a new pedal.

One day, we were practicing and my fingers pressed down to play ... and CRUNCH.  I'd never heard my keyboard crunch before.  It was weird.  This was definitely a problem only to be repaired by an expert.

Finally, my favorite piano mishap story:  In high school, I played with our youth band and used the church's keyboard every time.  I was familiar with it like I'm familiar with most technological things ... just enough to function.  One night, we were playing and my sustain pedal would not stop sustaining.  I tried to think the opposite way and hit the pedal again so it would stop.  That did nothing.  It was a mishy, gross, and loud organ sound that would not go away.  So embarrassing.  Eventually, I just turned the entire keyboard off, which, I'm sure, created a nice, abrupt halt in the music.  This experience was paired with my recent feelings of I need to break up with my boyfriend.  I kind of hinted of the break up on the phone with him later that night and he asked me, "Claire, is this all just because your keyboard freaked out?"  His question wasn't that off.  I can make impulsive decisions based on emotions sometimes.  However, I really did need to break up with him.  We're all better for it.

All of that to say ... once my keyboard is back up and running, I'll be recording like crazy.  Stay tuned!

Grieg's Piano Concerto in a minor

Tuesday I was up at the school until 8:30 for parent-teacher conferences. I drove home in the dark and in the rain. I turned my radio to the 'classical' station only to hear Grieg's Piano Concerto in a minor. I started listening towards the end of the first movement and then finished it out. And... I cried... quite a bit.

Towards the end of my sophomore year, Dr. Bell encouraged me to try out for concerto-aria and I really had a desire to do it. I worked so hard and there were many tears in Ford Music Hall while practicing. However, after several months, I felt pretty secure. My first hearing went well but I really messed up on the final one. (It was actually the night that Colt was going to take me out on our first date. I did the last audition and he picked me up at the back doors of Raley Chapel; but, honestly, that wasn't why I played so terribly. I just had a really off night.) Anyway, I remember when I found out that I didn't make it. I knew I didn't really deserve it based on that last audition, but I was still pretty devastated. I like to play the piano and perform, but by no means do I consider myself a 'serious performer.' And 'serious performers' are the people that get to play concertos with orchestras in real life. This was really my only shot to play with a full orchestra behind me.

In summary, Tuesday night was a bit emotional. I was just rewinding all of those moments with that concerto. I'm sad I missed the opportunity, but life moves forward. Those frustrating moments build character. And although I didn't make concerto-aria, the discipline of learning a piano concerto was well worth it. Once (or if) I ever get one of these....

maybe I can work it back up for fun. Off to bed I go...