Yesterdays lessons

Teaching was definitely not effortless yesterday.  I had several very young students (five and six years old) and they take a lot of energy.  But they are fun too.  One little girl played a full chromatic scale and Hot Cross Buns for me.  Her reward was to learn Mary Had A Little Lamb.  She was so excited that she couldn't hardly wait to tell her mother.  A young boy played several simple songs for me and was thrilled when we went on to learn another.

I'm often asked if I get tired or bored teaching simple songs like Old McDonald.  The answer is always "No"!  These songs put a smile on my students faces.  How can anyone get bored making other people happy?  Besides, I know what lies ahead.  I know where the road can lead.

These lessons were book-ended by two advanced students.  The day started with a fourteen year old boy who brought in a transcription he found of Beethoven's "Moonlight Sonata".  It's technically very hard but he's going after it like a dog with a bone - with purpose and determination.  He will play it in time.  My last student was a fifteen year old girl who is playing a 19th century waltz.  She's learning to play with style and grace and when she "gets" it her smile (braces and all) is infectious.

I find the teens to be fascinating because they have choices.  I know from our conversations that they listen to a wide variety of music, including pop and rock, but they choose to play classical.  I'm not sure I would have made the same choice at that age.  Also it takes a pretty solid work ethic and I'm pretty sure I was way too lazy back then.

One lesson I learned late in life is that worthwhile things always take effort.  These kids have either figured it out already, or are figuring it out now.  I find that to be impressive and inspiring.  So yesterday took a lot of effort, but it was definitely worthwhile.