A letter to the piano student who fears failure and therefore just won’t try.

Dear Student, I’m asking you to make an effort.

I’m not asking you to succeed, but to just go through the motions to start with.

Because I know that success will follow.

Because I know, that someday you’ll move on and be independent in learning music.

I’m asking you to try, knowing you might struggle a little,

And I’m asking you to embrace that struggle.

To not let the lack of immediate success worry you. This is ok.

Because I know that you will someday look back and be glad.

Because I know that trying to learn something new for just one minute a each day,

Will change the way you think.

And because I know that someday you will embrace challenge.

Because I know that learning the piano challenges every pianist, amateur or professional.

It’s a challenge even, for the student with small goals.

Because I know and understand that challenge – it’s the way it is for me.

Because I know that embracing the challenge will help you keep learning, and stick it out long enough to embrace the joy.

Dear Student,

One minute of effort, learning something new each day, will open up your world. So, please, just give it a try.

Anitaelise.