Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise. Psalm 98:4
Often as homeschoolers we are asked, even by those who are supportive of our choice the, “But what about math, science, PE…” fill in the blank, question. And most of us have thought about that and can answer with some confidence that we are capable of teaching it or will make ourselves capable by the time the questioned subject rolls around. And we will know when the time comes to turn our children over to a “specialist.”
But I have been puzzled by homeschoolers’ lack of confidence when it comes to teaching art and music, especially the music. I would like to offer that while most parents are not musicians, have not had theory, or even taken lessons themselves, that they can indeed become teachers to their children in art and music if they have a desire too. Personally I find the thought of upgrading my knowledge in Beethoven and Boticelli more pleasant and than returning to Chemistry 101. But that’s just me.
—Ignorance is bliss…
I had pondered the idea of teaching the boys piano, having seen books in homeschool catalogs for just that purpose. While I was researching the idea I learned on a forum I can no longer link to (because I choose not to pay to play) that while we homeschoolers can teach our children rocket science, yes, well maybe an exaggeration there,
piano should only be taught by professionals.
I can teach them algebra but not piano??? Okay, maybe we haven’t gotten to algebra yet. But, really, I cannot teach them piano?
The professional stating this was a homeschooling mom who taught piano lessons to other people’s children. Now I can see why she was vested in this. And to her credit she had graduated with a music degree. And she did know more about piano than me. But, mercy, she was expensive!! I’m talking about $30 or more for a half hour. And I am learning that is not considered unreasonable. But my darling sister only pays something like $10 for my niece’s lessons. Okay, they live near nowhere. I am sure this mom really was worth every penny. But still...
I pondered that the high school band instructors I was familiar with could never have seriously played all the instruments they were teaching. Most likely they had at sometime picked up all of them, but few people play everything. What they do though is study about them. Why would I not be capable of studying music? Couldn’t think of a reason why not, so I did. I had some theory and guitar, thanks to my time in parochial grade school and Sister Rosemary, bless her sweet soul. I had three months of very poor piano instruction in college. I have access to a phenomenal library system and so it was there I started.
We had noticed Roo’s aptitude and attraction to the piano early on. We priced lessons and to be really honest at the time we chose food.
But we had the piano.
Electric piano for those who want to know. Snob away if you will, but you try moving 13 times in 14 years and I bet you wouldn’t buy an acoustic “real” piano either. We were also the owners of one of those keyboard thingys, graciously gifted by the Grandparents. That became something the boys had total access to, limited only by volume and time of day.
So we chose to teach our children piano at home. Now to my husband’s credit he is a musician. He has that gift of picking up any instrument he stumbles on and within about five minutes he can make it produce some lovely sound. Have I ever said I
hate love him? He also has training in viola and guitar. And he plays the violin. And the mandolin. And bass. And the drums. When he does this music thing, which I love, I just get so jealous. I really would love to be able to praise God with music. But I can’t and I digress.
So, ignorantly, we proceeded to start piano with Roo. Some Bastien books off e-bay coupled with an adult Alfred book and we were in business. Daddy started Roo off. He had been through the adult book himself. And little Roo, all of seven was started.
Well Daddy had things like traveling for work that kept him from being consistent with piano. So naïvely, I volunteered to oversee the process. And we began. Sometimes haltingly, sometimes beseeching Daddy when he walked in the door at night. But we began and all of a sudden there was a breakthrough. It was the same kind of moment when it clicks and your child reads words and then thoughts and ideas, not letter by letter, frustratingly sounding things out. I approached piano similarly to reading and math. I never left him sit alone at the beginning and try to work through problems, why would I do that with piano—not criticizing those who do differently, I just know what works for us.
So two years or so later Boo has started. Boo plays piano as Boo does everything else, marching to his own beat, making his own way. Announcing every so often he will do his own compositions today,
thankyouverymuch. And so I go with it. He is after all only six and I know why piano teachers don’t want them younger than seven. But he asked to play. I have offered to let him quit. He plays for about 15 minutes and then is so very done.
Roo is at 90 minutes of practice time 4-5 days a week and I still sit with and direct the flow for at least half if not more. I think it is an awful lot of time to ask for, so I need to be willing to put in my time. He plays the goofy songs in the lesson books. He is learning a hymn or two for me. He can play some Bach and Mozart and Beethoven, but he also plays “The Pink Panther” theme and “Big Rock Candy Mountain” and during Nutcracker season he had about three songs going from that. He also still works on some things of his own, but nothing big—just little rifs. His biggest limit at this time is his size he can finally stretch an octave on one hand, but it takes planning and lots of practice.
I am glad we didn’t know at the beginning we were doing it wrong. I don’t know that this would work on a brass instrument for us, although I might just be silly enough to try. Music is something we love here, so we are very motivated about it. If a parent really didn’t like music, it probably would be better to get a good teacher.
We know there will come a time when both boys will need a “real” teacher, but we are holding out for the teacher that will “get them” and their personalities. And put up with their parents. When we have money for food and piano lessons.
So if someone tells you that only professionals can teach music, well they might be right, but give yourself and your child an opportunity to try it at home if it is something you have on your heart.
Psalm 100
1Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.
2Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.
3Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
4Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.
5For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all
generations.
