Finding Their Passion

I recently reconnected with a student who had moved out of state for a few years, but then the family relocated back to the area.  I know this student is shy, but I also wondered if the music we had begun learning was not inspiring him.  I spent part of his lesson explaining the different genres of music and asked which one he'd be excited to learn.  He expressed some interest in classical and blues, but still didn't seem that motivated.


The next week, his mom informed me that he hadn't really been motivated to practice.  But this was the day we would begin learning the blues song he'd chosen.  While I was only going to assign half the song for practice for the week, he insisted on learning the whole son.  Great, I thought, he's enjoying this one.  


Two days later, I ran into his mom at the grocery store. I can't get him off the piano - he loves the music! I was excited for him because I think we've discovered his passion.  Children love the idea of music and knowing how to play it on the piano, but it is not until they own their own tastes for the kind of music they enjoy playing that they actually become musicians.