music touches their souls

"Music is an outburst of the soul."  --Frederick Delius

If Frederick Delius can express his love for music as an "outburst of the soul," I wonder what language children would choose to describe how music affects them.  Even with limited ability to self-reflect in younger childhood, kids are still able to use language to express their enjoyment of music.  When I listen to certain songs from childhood, I often find myself unable to even sing the words because the emotional attachment to the music is so strong and moving.  Music can be a healing balm to our souls.  

And I personally believe this is true with children.  Just like full grown adults, children are multidimensional beings with the ability to experience deep feelings related to symphonic sounds, even if they are unable to put words to those feelings--yet.  Let's remember to listen to various types of music with our children and to not only engage them on what they are hearing, but to ask what feelings may arise or pictures they might be seeing in their mind's eye as a result.  Children may not be as emotionally and intellectually developed as adults; but they are still soulful beings with the ability to feel and experience life, even music, in a deep and profound way.

May our souls experience many outbursts today!

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The First Two Minutes of the Lesson

When I first began teaching piano lessons as a freshman in college, I was merely trying to pay my bills and not starve.  I enjoyed giving lessons, but I was pursuing a degree in sociology because I loved learning about people--how they think, how they make decisions, how their families of origin play a role in who they become.  As I pursued my career as a clinical social worker, I had forgotten all about teaching music.  And then after being married for a few years, our babies came--four of them in 6 years--and I realized that I not only wanted to help support my young family, but I also wanted to do something I thoroughly enjoyed.

And then I remembered how much I had enjoyed teaching piano.  What came as a complete surprise is just how intricately connected my social work training has positively influenced my work as a piano teacher.  When children arrive for their lessons, they are usually coming directly from school or another fun activity.  As parents, we are so used to taking our kids from one activity to the next, forgetting that they need transition time in order to give their best and learn at a higher level (I am just as guilty of this as every well-intentioned parent).

And this is where I believe my connection with my students goes deeper.  These first short minutes of transition meets them in the moment of where they are.  Students will often share about something difficult that happened at school, a teacher who is being unkind to them, a test that they aced, or even an award they received.  Listening to whatever is on their mind seems to help them to unload their busy thoughts and opens them up to learning piano.

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Set Them Free To Keep Growing

Growth is the great separator between those who succeed and those who do not. When I see a person beginning to separate themselves from the pack, it's almost always due to personal growth. 
{John C. Maxwell}

It is so fun getting that initial phone call from an excited parent, hoping to get their child into piano lessons.  They have seen their young one delightfully explore the piano, and the possibility of having a musician in the family creates joyful anticipation.  I enjoy setting up that first consultation, because that is when I can see exactly where this child is at in their desire and ability level.  There have been times, however, when I realize in the course of our visit or maybe even after several months or years of lessons, that this child needs something beyond my ability and training.  One such student began with me back in February.  She eagerly learned and practiced all that I set before her.  Around lesson 3 or 4, I realized that she was also a singer with remarkable pitch for a 6 year old.  I explained to her mother that while I was happy to continue working with her daughter, I knew she would eventually outgrow me.  She would thrive under someone who could train her to both sing and play music together.  This sweet mother said she was not ready to take that step, but I did give her the name of another teacher in the area to consider contacting at a later time, who would be able to add this dimension to her daughter's music journey.

I believe that every piano teacher provides unique offerings to their students, but it is necessary for teachers to continually self-assess whether they are the best fit in each student's learning season. Referring students out when they have outgrown my teaching is freeing on both sides; I am able to acknowledge the the level and success I helped my student achieve during their time with me, but then it is also freeing to let the student go and show that growth and change is absolutely natural and beneficial not only as it relates to piano, but in every life pursuit.










photo credit: GuilleDes La Lección de Piano via photopin (license)