What did Mama do? She planted a dream in my heart…
My Mama kept me in piano lessons. And although I’ve taken the ball and run with it on my own now as I further my own musical education, she is the one who planted the seed.
I am gifted with the ability to play by ear, and from a young age I began to tinker around with playing. But the day came when Mama knew it needed to be more. I needed to learn to read notes. I needed to work at it. My Mama saw talent in me that I wasn’t even aware of.
She taught all three of us kids piano for several years and gave us a foundation in music theory (Grace Vandendool, anyone?). We sang together a lot and often we fell asleep to Mom’s own piano playing.
The day came when she found a teacher for my sister and I. For a whole year my teacher played everything for me, not knowing I was playing by ear. I got by without practicing. This was easy!
Until Mama. Found out.
Mama told Teacher. Teacher stopped playing songs for me. She played nothin’ for me (btw, I don’t play anything for my students either).
It was time to work. I balked. Mama let Brother stop piano and take up trumpet. She let Sister stop piano and take up violin. I wanted to stop piano and take up flute.
Mama said no.
She wanted me to stick with piano.
I hated it for awhile- for a few years, actually. But by the time I got to college I was self motivated. I had wonderful teachers who inspired me to push harder and to excel. It was becoming my dream.
The dream Mama started.
Today I am a church pianist. A piano teacher. No matter where God leads us in life I can earn a small income by teaching from home. I’m working on my master’s degree in piano pedagogy. I married an excellent pianist. Small Son is now in piano lessons. I can’t imagine my life without the piano and without music.
What a gift…that just keeps giving.
Thank you, Mama.
Linking up:
That is so neat. You probably hear this a lot but I wish I’d stayed with it. Especially now that my son wants to learn. 🙂 Beautiful entry.
Yes, I do hear that a lot from the parents of my students. It’s not for everyone, but the commitment is sure worth it in the end for those who do. Thanks for visiting from FMF! 🙂
Thank you, Leah. Sometimes parents just KNOW what the child needs, and the battles are WORTH it in the long run. Praise the Lord for the guidance that He gives to parents and for the strength to battle with a child that the parent SO dearly loves.
Love,
Mama
So cool. I wish I could play by ear. Great post.
Playing by ear is fun! Learning to read notes just doubles the fun. 🙂