A tribute to Piano Parents

 

I wrote this post at time when it was almost always the mom who helped with piano practise. The parent supporting piano practise at home still is mostly the mom, but these days I’m seeing a few families where the dad is the piano parent.

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Children love to perform and play. But many don’t understand, or have the maturity, to commit to the routine of daily practise. The first year of learning often goes slow, until their parents realise that daily practise will only happen when THEY get involved and make it happen.

It does not seem to matter what pressures the Piano Mom has – work, managing the home, looking after older family members – she still makes the effort.

She’s around when her child practises, listening and making sure her child knows she loves listening. Sometimes, she even convinces her young child, that she can only truly relax at piano practise time. Some of my young students and teens come into class telling me they just HAVE to play daily – because their mother needs it to relax!

She does this because, she understands that her child will gain some long term value from learning to play the piano. Not just the achievement of learning to play, but the confidence and personality growth that results from it.

Piano Mom understands that with the right support at home, her child will develop a passion for music. And will eventually learn to play and practise without supervision.

She works with the piano teacher, communicating with her regularly when things don’t go smooth. She makes the effort, even when she and the teacher have differences of opinion on what her child needs to progress. She works with the piano teacher, and eventually they finding a middle path.

It often takes her anything between a month or a year of her child learning, to make her realise that she needs to put time aside to support her child. And then, she rearranges her schedule to make this possible.

A heartfelt THANK YOU to you all you wonderful Piano Mom’s (and Piano Dad’s where applicable). I really appreciate all the time and effort you put in!