Last year Katya had a friend at her British School who was originally Chinese. Her parents immigrated to Britain ten years prior, and “Chigao” (this is horrible of me, but I do not remember how to spell her name….it had a “q” in it for sure) was the only child. She also excelled in piano, amazing everyone at their school assembly with a brilliant performance of Mozart’s Turkish March. Ever since then, Katya has been dreaming to play that piece, so in September, when we started our piano lessons again, she begged her teacher to let her work on it. And Mrs. Eldred did.
Katya has been working hard at this piece (and a few others) but there is still so much to be done. This was definitely well above her level of ability, so she has to stretch herself. I don’t mean to sound negative or pushy, but, as a piano player myself, I can also see how she has the potential to be a lot better if she practices better…sigh…Sometimes I simply have to pick my battles, but practicing piano every day is not in question. Both Robert and I believe that this is not only about how to play the piano, but it’s about teaching discipline, patience, persistence, delayed gratification, priorities and simply hard work. I know it’s so hard for Katya to tell her friends, “No, I cannot go play outside right now, I have to practice my piano firs”. And believe me, it’s much harder for US, as parents, to keep having her practice the piano. I am simply convinced it’s all worth it at the end, and the deal is that we won’t give up till she is fourteen…after that the choice is hers
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Let’s see if this video works. This is not a finished product…
Katya has been working hard at this piece (and a few others) but there is still so much to be done. This was definitely well above her level of ability, so she has to stretch herself. I don’t mean to sound negative or pushy, but, as a piano player myself, I can also see how she has the potential to be a lot better if she practices better…sigh…Sometimes I simply have to pick my battles, but practicing piano every day is not in question. Both Robert and I believe that this is not only about how to play the piano, but it’s about teaching discipline, patience, persistence, delayed gratification, priorities and simply hard work. I know it’s so hard for Katya to tell her friends, “No, I cannot go play outside right now, I have to practice my piano firs”. And believe me, it’s much harder for US, as parents, to keep having her practice the piano. I am simply convinced it’s all worth it at the end, and the deal is that we won’t give up till she is fourteen…after that the choice is hers
. Let’s see if this video works. This is not a finished product…
Way to go Katya!!!!
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