| "Part of what motivates me to write this book is a | | | | exam with flying color (shocking everyone in the |
| concern that we've lost touch in education with the | | | | process!)? To top it all, my piano teacher was very |
| sheer joy of what it means to learn something new." | | | | pleased with me and raved to my mum about my |
| -Thomas Armstrong, Author, Awakening Genius in the | | | | prodigious musical talent during the initial few weeks of |
| Classroom | | | | piano lessons. But, I just wouldn't go for any exams |
| I think I was around 6 years old, when my mum | | | | and hated the piano lessons as the weeks passed. |
| decided to put me into Piano class. I am quite sure it | | | | Yes, I HATED the whole learning process! |
| was an afterthought because it was my younger | | | | Thinking back, I realized that it was the strict and |
| sister who was first put into the class. Till today, I could | | | | pressurized formal music training that killed my interest |
| still remember, following my mum and sister to her | | | | and eventually, not wanting to touch a piano since then. |
| classes at Yamaha. | | | | Did I resent my mum for sending me to the piano |
| Why was I asked to learn the piano with my sister? I | | | | lessons? Probably not, although I could still recall the |
| guess it was my demonstration of my musical ability | | | | agony whenever I was "coerced" to practice. I |
| on the piano (which was bought for my sister to | | | | supposed my mum could have been more observant |
| practice). Without any formal music lessons, I stunned | | | | towards my change of attitudes before and after the |
| my family by playing tunes from the TV shows on the | | | | classes. So, mum and dad (yes, you!), please observe |
| piano. And, of course, I disrupted my sister practice | | | | your kid's behavior and attitudes when you send them |
| sessions (and maybe, self-confidence, in the process). | | | | for enrichment classes or just school, for that matter. |
| My mum, a "talent scout" of sorts insisted that I should | | | | At the end of the day, it is your child's joy of learning |
| have formal training to bring out the best in me. Like all | | | | that would sustain his/her interest to excel if he/she |
| parents would do. So, I began to attend piano lessons | | | | chooses to. Bear in mind that force-feeding would only |
| each week in a small cramped room that was only big | | | | do more harm than good. As always, keep a balance |
| enough for my piano teacher, the piano and me. | | | | in whatever you do for your child. Try to put yourself in |
| Frankly, I cannot really remember much of the lessons. | | | | their shoes. The joy of learning that you imbue in your |
| But, without a doubt, I could definitely recall the constant | | | | child would outweigh the anxiety (and fear!) that you |
| nagging of my mum to practice everyday pounding in | | | | put your child through to excel in a certain area. |
| my head. This went on for about 2 years. During those | | | | Be mindful and stay balanced! |
| two years, I did not take any practical exam, as I was | | | | Reflect upon these Words of Wisdom: |
| averse to the idea of being graded. Fear of failure, | | | | "At times, it is difficult to keep a proper balance in our |
| maybe. Soon after, my dear mum withdrew me from | | | | lives. But, over time, an improper balance will lead to |
| the piano lessons. I guessed she must have realized | | | | problems." |
| that I was not going to amount much since I had | | | | Catherine Pulsifer |
| adamantly refused to go for any practical exams. | | | | "Just as your car runs more smoothly and requires |
| Was I being a difficult child to my mum who probably | | | | less energy to go faster and farther when the wheels |
| had so much hope in me to be the next Richard | | | | are in perfect alignment, you perform better when |
| Clayderman or even, a Mozart in the making? How | | | | your thoughts, feelings, emotions, goals, and values are |
| could it be when I had actually passed my theory | | | | in balance. |