My emotional piano student wiped away tears today.
By The Horse
@TheHorse (218931)
Walnut Creek, California
September 21, 2023 12:18am CST
She continues to excel in learning piano. She practices the scales and tunes that I teach her
But she really is a tad emotionally "vulnerable."
I saw her wipe away a tear today as I had her do a d-minor scale, which sounds sad.
But we then returned to happier scales and songs.
I can tell her daddy is frustrated with her emotionality. Is it (her emotionality) because she is a perfectionist? Or is it because of things going on in her life? I think it's the latter.
Religion is somehow involved. As her mother and father drift apart (this is my hypothesis), she takes the child to church, and the father is a moral man who does not believe in organized religion.
I taught her a church song today. I hope I don't alienate the father.
That's enough for now. Isn't it interesting how teaching music can be so complicated?
11 people like this
9 responses
@LadyDuck (471456)
• Switzerland
22 Sep 23
@TheHorse - My husband grew up with a Catholic Mom and a Jewish father. His father was furious when in school they wanted to teach them religious songs. He always said that, once his son would be old enough to understand, he would decide which religion to follow. My husband is not at all religious.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (218931)
• Walnut Creek, California
21 Sep 23
We will see. Were I to go into "child psychologist" mode, I would tell the dad that it's best for the child if both her mother's beliefs and his are "validated." But that's not a part of my job as music teacher. It will be playing in the background, though.
2 people like this
@TheHorse (218931)
• Walnut Creek, California
22 Sep 23
@LadyDuck My situation is similar to your husband's. I grew up with a mother from a Protestant background and a father from a Jewish background. Both were "Liberal academics" and both were what we call "Freethinkers"--people with a strong moral compass who didn't adhere to any particular religion. They made it clear to me that I could choose any religion I wanted or none at all. As it has turned out, I love Bach's Cantatas, Mozart's Great C-Minor Mass, and Christian-influenced bluegrass music. I feel "safe" in churches and synagogues, but I don't adhere to any particular religion.
2 people like this
@RasmaSandra (79929)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
21 Sep 23
I guess then I was also a very emotional child. My mother placed me in a Lutheran Elementary private school from grades 6 through 8. My best days were on Wednesdays when the class were taken to the nearest church for service and I got all teary-eyed at the beautiful hymns we sang,
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (79929)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
23 Sep 23
@TheHorse I loved playing hymns on my piano but said piano I left behind in Latvia. Could not afford to bring it with me and second in this apartment there would be no place to put it, The piano remained with the people who bought the house and at that time they had two small boys now they also have two girls and I hope they put the piano to good use,
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@TheHorse (218931)
• Walnut Creek, California
24 Sep 23
@RasmaSandra I hope they play the piano as well.
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@LindaOHio (178870)
• United States
21 Sep 23
You are such a versatile teacher. You have the knowledge of music and the knowledge of the brain. Have a fabulous day.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (178870)
• United States
21 Sep 23
@TheHorse Thanks. I hope your day improves.
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@1creekgirl (41447)
• United States
22 Sep 23
I think you're a good influence on her at a time when maybe she really needs it.
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