I had to put a whup-ass on one of my piano students yesterday. Do you think I'll get fired?
By The Horse
@TheHorse (220758)
Walnut Creek, California
April 27, 2023 9:52am CST
I adore Alee. I have been her guitar and piano teacher since she was four. She is six now, and I teach her mostly piano.
But she can be a pain in the neck. Sometimes she lies on the piano bench, bangs on the keyboard, and in general is a pill.
But she is learning her chords and scales, loves to sing with me, and has natural musical talent.
Yesterday, however, I had to put a whup-ass on her. I hope what I did does not constitute child abuse.
The next student after her was Jonathan, a very focused 8-year-old piano student. Alee's step-mom had not yet returned to pick her up, so I invited her in to the beginning of Jonathan's lesson.
Jonathan did scales and chords with me, and then we worked on Mary Had a Little Lamb in various keys. I let Alee sit at the other piano and play along with Jonathan.
My evil intent was to let her see Jonathan's focus, and maybe "model" a bit of said focus.
It worked. She played a long with Jonathan, and did well.
We'll see what happens next time I see Alee. Will she be more focused? Or will she continue to treat me like a "fun Uncle"?
Do you think I should be arrested for child abuse?
11 people like this
11 responses
@BarBaraPrz (47806)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
27 Apr 23
You might have better luck teaching Kitty to play the piano. Are a 4 yr old's hands big enough to hit the proper keys?
3 people like this
@TheHorse (220758)
• Walnut Creek, California
27 Apr 23
I actually think piano is better than guitar for really young kids. They can "hunt and peck" "Mary Had a Little Lamb" before they can fret strings. Alee and I mostly sang and established a relationship during her first lessons.
3 people like this
@DaddyEvil (138024)
• United States
27 Apr 23
I think you were fired from Guitar Center and that's why you're so active on myLot today. 
I hope Alee works with you better at her next lesson. She sounds like fun and a pill at the same time. 
I hope Alee works with you better at her next lesson. She sounds like fun and a pill at the same time. 2 people like this
@DaddyEvil (138024)
• United States
28 Apr 23
@TheHorse At six years old, I would rather be off playing some where.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (220758)
• Walnut Creek, California
28 Apr 23
@DaddyEvil Most of these kids actually enjoy making music. Alee definitely does.
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (69462)
• United States
27 Apr 23
I think you could use that for your Ph.D. dissertation. Brilliant psychology there!
2 people like this
@RasmaSandra (81127)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
27 Apr 23
I think it was all right and showed her who is boss and taught her that she should pay attention, I am sure that incident resulted in the fact that she later played so well along with Jonathan because she knew she had been naughty,
2 people like this
@TheHorse (220758)
• Walnut Creek, California
28 Apr 23
When she saw me being affectionate and supportive with another student, I think she felt a bit of competition. I am world-famous for the expression, "Music is not a competition; it's a conversation" (because I mentioned it here). But I don't mind if she felt just enough competition to motivate her a bit.
1 person likes this
@ihasaquestion (8275)
•
27 Apr 23
If Alee turns out to be happy, I guess you're a good uncle after all.
2 people like this
@wolfgirl569 (108826)
• Marion, Ohio
28 Apr 23
I think you are safe. Glad having her work with someone else helped
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (183044)
• United States
1 May 23
She's 6. Changes will not happen overnight. You may have to keep her in line until she's older.
1 person likes this
