can’t wait to see all of you and enjoy together some the music that we’ve been playing lately!
To help your littles have the best experience possible,
Try to eliminate some of the “P” words.
Over several decades of teaching music to very little kids, I’ve noticed that the kids who stick with it, and therefore progress, have parents who rarely, if ever, say “You need to Practice for the Performance.”
Thinking of a performance that kids have to Prepare for seems to create a ton of anxiety in them. In reality, most little kids haven’t even seen a performance, much less participated in one. The need to prepare for it implies that there’s a chance they won’t be good enough. That’s enough to scare the bravest four-year-old into doing anything but playing the piano.
Noa Kageyama, my very favorite musical performance psychologist, shared a very insightful interview with one of his music psychology colleagues, George Waddell, who cited some solid research backing up the idea that competition or judgment around musical performance can do more harm than good. If you have a few minutes you can listen to it here. It’s worth your time. The findings certainly match what I’ve experienced throughout a lifetime around musicians and musical performance, including my very personal feelings about sharing music. That’s why there will be no Performance Police at our Ensemble Festival. Only supportive friends and family who want to see everyone have a great experience! And treats!
We’re going to celebrate the music that everyone’s enjoying these days, whether it’s a piece a twelve-year-old has been preparing for months (there’s a P word that older kids can handle a bit, IF it’s mainly self-driven) or whether it’s some random keys a toddler feels inclined to press in their effort to be included in the celebration!
I’ve noticed that as long as a piano is in tune, and ours will be, special thanks to Ben at Classic Pianos, ALL OF THE NOTES ARE GOOD.
Please remember that all performance is voluntary, from the very youngest babies to the parents, and the students who have been playing for several years. Musical performance can feel very personal and identifying, and, for maximum longevity and enjoyment, it should be shared willingly, not forced.
In the days prior to the Ensemble Festival, have fun with your littles enjoying your own Piano Playing (P words I Do recommend,) and try your best to let your sweet babies come along at their own Pace. Please be kind to yourself too, as you Prepare your Pieces. Piano Practice is a good thing for more mature musicians, and it’s most effective and enjoyable when there’s no judgment, especially from within ourselves.
I know we’ve all been programmed by a world where musical performance can be very competetive, but we can all be part of the change for a kinder, more appreciative musical world, where everyone gets to Participate at their own Pace.
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