Going Slowly
Found in: Playing-Based Methodology, Practicing & Playlists
Elaine F., South Carolina
I had a huge reminder this week that we can’t always see where we are going to end up with students. Remember the story that Einstein failed math?? People are different and the overview is just a suggestion.
What brought this home to me:
I have a student who began lessons with me in Aug 2008 when she was 7. She has just completed Level 1. Obviously, she has learned at a fairly slow pace. There were times I almost fired her as a student because her rate of progress had me convinced this was not ok. I thought at various times that she wasn’t serious enough (she was not) was not practicing enough (she was not)– but most of all she challenged my idea of what SHOULD be happening.
I kept her initially for all the wrong reasons: I was too chicken to let her ago–and I had only a few students at the time and her mom is the principal of an elementary school and I wanted her “on my side” whatever that meant to me at the time. Along the way her mom was absolutely ok with the slow pace and of my high expectations that I would not pass her along till she mastered the songs.
I am so glad we all persevered. This year she has matured a great deal. Mom and I both expect less giggley behavior — and the girl is responding well. I got this email from Mom last week:
You have NO idea what a difference you have made in Grace’s life. Piano is the only outside activity she has stuck with and is BLOSSOMING! THANK YOU SO MUCH…
So, there are various rates of progress and even this one seems to have been right for this girl.
Cheryl W., Pennsylvania
I had a reminder myself also, Elaine, that students can move very slowly and still love piano and benefit from it. Every year for the big family recital I introduce the students. Part of what I say about them is what they like to do the best in life. Naturally I have to ask my students ahead of time what they would like me to say about them. This past week two of my very slowest students who have been taking lessons for years told me that they enjoyed piano as one of their favorite activities. I think I had the same reaction as you, like Wow! Amazing! I had no idea!