Friday, December 09, 2011
Cellowoes
You would be surprised how hard it is to find a playable cello for an almost 4 year old. Well, maybe you wouldn't be. For a kid who comes from a long line of tiny hands (seriously, I once had a viola teacher- he was Russian old-school which I guess kind of speaks for itself- who told me to switch back to the violin) her current 1/16 was nearly impossible to play because of the strings being too high. Though she is now able to play notes clearly, I know (and her teacher has confirmed) that it shouldn't have taken as many tiger mother sessions as last week involved to get her to this point. Fortunately I have a lead on possibly a better option up in Maryland..... and also fortunately is that she was so excited by the beauty of her G today (4 on D) that she insisted on playing it over and over again as we both giggled (and I almost cried) joyfully. Ok, and besides the immense amount of time, frustration and tears, put into this miracle, was also an amazing tip from a friend back home. Phew. She's not scarred. Yet. Though she is now asking to switch to the violin - but that's because she thinks it would be easier. Surprise! It's not! Just more awkward, harder on the body, and louder to what has always been a sensitive ear.
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4 comments:
Ok, so what's the deal with this? I don't mean that sarcastically, I mean how did you know you could start your child with an instrument? I know you are an awesome cellist, so is it just because you are into it and you want her to be too? Or did she show an independent interest? Does she have enough of an attention span to do it? Is she a prodigy? I don't mean to sound rude at all, I would just love to start my kids on piano or something, but I have no idea if I would turn them off to music or something if I start to soon or push too hard. The second has already shown an interest in violin and puts two lincoln logs under her chin and hums twinkle twinkle while rubbing them together. I guess I'm just wondering if it's a genetic thing because of your talent or what. Any insight?
I'm actually a violist (started on violin) but always wished my parents had chosen the cello instead. (And no, the next one won't play cello - my car is too small!) For 90 percent of children, it's just that, their parents choosing what and when to start. There is that small percent of people that have always known what they wanted to play and never had to be told to practice. (And there's an even smaller percent that is simply genetically gifted - most musical ability is learned and can be learned by anyone). It sounds like your second one might be in that small percent. The Suzuki method is one of the few that will take children under the age of 5 or 6 and I personally think it's great. The real question is, are YOU ready? I really believe that in order for any small child to learn any instrument, the parent has to be involved. Since you have a music background, you would be great as their practice parent. And yes, it is a struggle, and I sometimes ask myself if it was me who wasn't ready. Even though not every practice session is the 5 glorious minutes we're aiming for, she still likes it because it is time we're spending together - time where she has my undivided attention. And she showed no previous interest/talent in music whatsoever - in fact quite the opposite. (It is the baby that is showing more early interest.) I have no desire for my children to become musicians (I'm even questioning that for myself these days) but I really believe that music education (violin, piano - it doesn't really matter - those just happen to be the easiest for small hands to handle with piano being the easiest- cello, as it turns out, is a little harder) from an early age gives kids advantages that can't be learned anywhere else. Can music lessons be started later? Of course. But there is kind of a 'critical period' for being able to learn stringed instruments to a certain level. I wouldn't wait to start a kid on violin much past the age of 6, cello, maybe 7 or 8. Piano learning might not be so sensitive, I don't know. From what I gather from your blog you're planning to homeschool? In which case I would say music lessons would be a great way for them to learn something outside the home and, in the case of Suzuki, do something with other kids. (Group lessons are an integral part of the Suzuki method.) I myself am 'homeschooling' them for the preschool years so one of the reasons they will both take lessons before 5 is that I feel that we need an activity outside the house. Also, with my husband coming and going over the next few years to sea, it will give us something to focus on. Oh, and I'll just add that Nadia HATED it when I practiced when she was a baby, screamed at any noise, later asked us to turn off music when we had it on, and couldn't sing a tune to save her life. Now, she is asking for CDs to be put on (good stuff - not Barney kids crap), making up songs to the Suzuki rhythm, and even sat through her first symphony (kids) concert yesterday. In 3 short months, her attitude toward/appreciation of music has totally changed. So if the only thing that comes of this is that there are two extra bums in orchestral audience seats (bums are so desperately needed these days to keep those orchestras going!) from time to time, then I will see it as a success. Hope this helps! Also, I always wanted my first-born to play cello but was prepared to change that idea if his/her personality seemed like another instrument might be more appropriate. Fortunately Nadia is cello. She just is. She doesn't like to show off and she's a bit emotional and shy. Snugs, on the other hand, is a smiley ray of sunshine who dances and wiggles any time music is played. She is violin. I don't know if that makes any sense to anyone else, but having known countless musicians on every sort of instrument, you start to see common personality traits within the sections.
Re: the pushing too hard. I wonder that myself sometimes and think there has to be a balance. But I said to my husband the other day, if no parent ever pushed their kid in anything, there would be no professional sports (maybe a good thing?) and only one performing orchestra in the entire world, full of the less than 1 percent of kids that were naturally gifted and didn't have to have to be forced to practice. (Maybe also a good thing? Then the rest of us giftless musicians wouldn't be beating our heads against the wall, trying to get a job, haha, we'd have real ones!) I look at music education like physical education. Exercise is necessary to keep the body healthy, music is necessary to help keep the brain healthy.
Awesome awesome insight, thank you! I'm going to look into all this. Honestly, I was planning to just begin "piano lessons" myself since I can play mediocre, but you're right about lessons outside the home. Up to now we've been doing dance and sports for external enrichment, but I am so going to look into Suzuki. Thank you again!
Sorry for mistaking your instrument. :/
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