Some time ago, probably over a year, Eleanor decided that she wanted to learn to play the violin. In my family, we didn't play the violin---piano was ok, band instruments were ok, but it was somehow not done to play a string instrument. I also knew that it was a lot of hard work (not Eleanor's strong point) and it took a lot of parent involvement (not my strong point, especially right then) and so after looking up violin lessons halfheartedly, I gave up.
The problem was that Eleanor didn't give up. She kept asking. Every once in a while I would think that she had forgotten, and it would come up again. When our friends from England came to visit, they talked about their string lessons, and Eleanor brought it up again. My friend (who teaches strings) suggested that Eleanor play the viola or cello, since everyone and their dog wants to play violin (really, she said that you have more opportunities to play in groups if you play something other than violin). Thus a future viola player was born.
It did take a little work to find a viola teacher nearby, but I finally got the courage up to go to the music studio. I had been feeling a little strange about Eleanor's request (what kind of kid wants to play a string instrument? Much less a viola!) but the best part was the string teachers at the studio think that wanting to play a string instrument is the most natural thing in the world. I imagine they feel about wanting to play the viola the way I feel about wanting to learn more math.
Eleanor's first lesson was delayed by snow, then by illness, but finally last week she started. Between getting the viola and learning how to hold it, the half hour was filled. Eleanor's practice this week was all in learning how to hold the viola---which I am not sure we were doing right.
Luke and Amanda came to the lesson, and were reasonably well behaved. Luke clung to me for the entire lesson. Amanda played, and lay on the couch, and after the lesson she said, "I could learn to play that!" Perhaps she'll get her chance. I'll keep bringing them as long as it is practical. I expect that Luke is the one who will get into the most trouble, once he stops being afraid and starts feeling comfortable. Maybe he'll grow up a little before that happens.
The biggest problem so far is that I have to get over all my apprehensions about music lessons. I have many not always pleasant memories of piano and clarinet lessons, and I have to work hard at not encumbering Eleanor with that history in her first weeks of lessons. She's still excited, she's still ready to practice without complaining, she still sees the viola as incredibly beautiful and a treat to get out of the box. If I can manage not to squelch that sense of wonder, I'll be doing most of my job.
(In case you are wondering, I have been waiting to use that blog post title ever since Eleanor started asking to play the viola. Silly, I know...)
The problem was that Eleanor didn't give up. She kept asking. Every once in a while I would think that she had forgotten, and it would come up again. When our friends from England came to visit, they talked about their string lessons, and Eleanor brought it up again. My friend (who teaches strings) suggested that Eleanor play the viola or cello, since everyone and their dog wants to play violin (really, she said that you have more opportunities to play in groups if you play something other than violin). Thus a future viola player was born.
It did take a little work to find a viola teacher nearby, but I finally got the courage up to go to the music studio. I had been feeling a little strange about Eleanor's request (what kind of kid wants to play a string instrument? Much less a viola!) but the best part was the string teachers at the studio think that wanting to play a string instrument is the most natural thing in the world. I imagine they feel about wanting to play the viola the way I feel about wanting to learn more math.
Eleanor's first lesson was delayed by snow, then by illness, but finally last week she started. Between getting the viola and learning how to hold it, the half hour was filled. Eleanor's practice this week was all in learning how to hold the viola---which I am not sure we were doing right.
Luke and Amanda came to the lesson, and were reasonably well behaved. Luke clung to me for the entire lesson. Amanda played, and lay on the couch, and after the lesson she said, "I could learn to play that!" Perhaps she'll get her chance. I'll keep bringing them as long as it is practical. I expect that Luke is the one who will get into the most trouble, once he stops being afraid and starts feeling comfortable. Maybe he'll grow up a little before that happens.
The biggest problem so far is that I have to get over all my apprehensions about music lessons. I have many not always pleasant memories of piano and clarinet lessons, and I have to work hard at not encumbering Eleanor with that history in her first weeks of lessons. She's still excited, she's still ready to practice without complaining, she still sees the viola as incredibly beautiful and a treat to get out of the box. If I can manage not to squelch that sense of wonder, I'll be doing most of my job.
(In case you are wondering, I have been waiting to use that blog post title ever since Eleanor started asking to play the viola. Silly, I know...)
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