Comments

Well said!  I bet you have some lovely parents in support of your studio policies.  As a violin mom of over 9 years (and student of 4 years), I can attest to all of this!  Brava!  Erica

Excellent topic, Pauline.  I'd like to add an endorsement for the Carnegie Hall series, "From The Top", which features young talented musicians from all walks of life and instruments/voice.  In our area, it is broadcast on the local public station so even if you don't have cable or a dish you can still see it.  My kids enjoy the program as much as I do and we record it so they can watch favorite performances again.

 

Pauline, that was great and so well put:-)

Tess, I like that idea.

Hi, as someone who have started late in a non musical family, I can really say that I miss very much parental support (and I'm not talking about financially because they do many sacrifices and have bought me super quality stuff and pay a good teacher which is already very generous from them).  But I rather mean that it is difficult psychologically to always be the only one of your gangn (like an alien) at home, to not be understand at all when it goes wrong and you would need this musical parent just to bring support and who knows maybe cues if he\she is a very good violinist...  I would just love someone on the same channel than me, someone who understands performing, who is emotionally so conected to music etc...  

So if you can be such a parent for your kid, go for it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  It is such a gift to your kid!   BTW, if I had started at 10 yo and less, it would have been drammatic because my parents and me would have been totally ignorant...  When you are older, you are able to think by yourself, and auto-push you towards what you want.

Anne-Marie

Thank you all for your praise and suggestions.  You are the editors of my draft, and I'm very glad to hear from teachers, parents, and students.  I wrote some parts of my letter because I've had parents who have opposed me on doing these things and other parents who just didn't know any better.  I'm also surprised that parents who play an instrument don't think of playing music with their child.

Thanks for calling my attention to From the Top.  I've heard the audio on public radio on the Internet, but I've never watched the show because I don't have a TV.  I will check the local TV listings for it.

Anne-Marie, your account of your own experiences is very moving.  I will definitely add the remarks you suggested.

Pauline, I absoulutely love reading your blog. I have read through most of your old blogs and I find that they give a very thoughtful insight into violin teaching and playing. I especially enjoy the one´s about teaching. So even though I don´t comment often I LOVE to read your blog.

Anna, thank you for telling me that.  When I don't get comments, I wonder whether anyone is reading my blog.  I'll write more about my experiences teaching.