This blog is honoring two students that have improved their piano ability greatly, not because of their gift or talent, but because they have persisted over many years and been constant with attending every lesson! They do not even practice consistently, but they just keep on keeping on. These are students that began at age four with no inner ability at creating piano music and are now age 10 (a boy) and age 14 (a girl). To hear them play, the audience would think they are just average students. No! They have excelled beyond their natural ability – and the truly fantastic thing is they both love playing the piano. In fact, they consistently arrive with smiles on their faces. They are not related and are not even friends, but they both have positive and willing attitudes as they improve through consistent efforts their comprehension of reading, memorizing and performing skills .
Most of my students excel with talent and ability development and performing skills, but a few are on the slow, but steady boat of progress and the fast boat of musical enjoyment. I have several other students that are moving from the slow boat to the fast boat. What fun for this piano teacher to have this special opportunity.
Dr. Suzuki felt that any child could learn to play the piano by using the “mother tongue” method. I believe that, but sometimes they learn, even if imperfectly, because they never give up, but face the challenge with a positive attitude.
That is a great lesson for success in life!
