Yesterday, 7-year-old Natasha got a look on her face. I know that look. It’s always followed by a question: “Can you show me how to play … [Insert song title]?” But she has never followed through enough to find out whether she will be able to do it – usually not even getting as far as actually sitting down at the piano to try. I chalked it up to insecurity. She LOVES to sing, and sings so well and easily that it makes sense that she would default to the thing she can do, rather than risk failing – right? If she just once got over that hurdle and realized she could do it, everything would move forward from there – right?

Yesterday we got to chatting about the bitterly cold weather. Suddenly, there was “The Look,” and then the question: “Can you show me how to play ‘Let It Snow?’” Natasha sat down at the piano and I prepared myself for the usual, but – lo and behold – she stayed, and quickly learned the first phrase!

On her own, she practiced it over and over till it began to sound confident and comfortable. Aha, I thought, a breakthrough! But after some time, she abruptly stood up and walked away. Oh well, that’s it, I figured. But I was wrong! “I want to focus on something else, and then come back and see if I remember it.” Oh my goodness, she’s sticking with it!!! I feigned nonchalance so as to let it be entirely her process.

After a while of this self-monitoring, Natasha declared that she was ready to learn the next part, which came easily to her as well. But then she began to grow restless, and before long, jumped up and started to pace around the room. “How about you play the song and I’ll just sing,” she said. This time, Natasha was really done with the piano, and for the rest of the session, she sang in bliss while I did my best to stay with her at the piano. Now she was in her element.

Discovering that you’re able to do something that you thought you couldn’t do can be a huge source of motivation. But through the years, I’ve noticed that it doesn’t always work that way. Someone can have success, but not the readiness or interest to take it further. Maybe at some point, Natasha will be ready for a broader musical palette. For now, it is singing that nourishes her, which, I believe, is just fine.

Tags

Alternative Music Lessons audience autoharp chords compose composer composing composition techniques creating ear training education spoof exploration glockenspiel guitar high and low imbira improvisation inner musician kalimba learning Lessons lullaby michelangelo Music musical discovery musical ear musical tools music education music exploration music house music learning original song over the rainbow Piano pitch play by ear preschool interview sills singing sound spontaneous improvisation spoons thumb drum tone xylophone

Archives