I'm a big Kurt Vonnegut fan...found myself turning to him a lot over the past couple of years. I also totally agree that you don't need to be 'good' or 'talented' to enjoy making music or art. I wouldn't say I have any natural ability at either (at least not in the way that my mum and brother have) - but I enjoy both! I feel incredibly lucky that my parents paid for piano lessons for me, despite the fact I made little tangible progress. It was a life skill that I fell back on in my 30's and it gave be a great deal of comfort at a very difficult time in my life. I played for my kids when they were very little - but they've become a tougher audience of late, so I've just gone back to doing it entirely for my own pleasure when they are not around. I set myself a task to actually learn a new song this past week (something I hadn't done in far too long) and have had great fun learning the Locomotion (had no idea it was written by Carole King!). I played it so slowly at first it sounded weirdly like the theme to Twin Peaks - but I've now got it up to a cheerful tempo!
Locomotion + Twin Peaks theme song sounds like a perfect mashup!! Hehe.
How do/did you play with your kids around? Mine just want to bang on the piano--which is understandable and fun AND also frustrating. Or did they stop doing that after a while? I end up playing even less than I used to because I lose patience.
I have one who shows quite an interest in the piano (age six) and treats it like a musical instrument (she’s keen on the ukulele)...the other, let’s just say less so! I used to love playing for them as toddlers and through telling them the names of the songs got one to read...but these days it’s an activity I do when everyone is out of the house (so within school hours, on days partner goes into the office and when I need a distraction from work!)
I remember that story :) I have a 2-hour window every morning that sounds similar to what you describe, I might look for a new piece to work on occasionally! Thanks for the inspiration x
I'm a big Kurt Vonnegut fan...found myself turning to him a lot over the past couple of years. I also totally agree that you don't need to be 'good' or 'talented' to enjoy making music or art. I wouldn't say I have any natural ability at either (at least not in the way that my mum and brother have) - but I enjoy both! I feel incredibly lucky that my parents paid for piano lessons for me, despite the fact I made little tangible progress. It was a life skill that I fell back on in my 30's and it gave be a great deal of comfort at a very difficult time in my life. I played for my kids when they were very little - but they've become a tougher audience of late, so I've just gone back to doing it entirely for my own pleasure when they are not around. I set myself a task to actually learn a new song this past week (something I hadn't done in far too long) and have had great fun learning the Locomotion (had no idea it was written by Carole King!). I played it so slowly at first it sounded weirdly like the theme to Twin Peaks - but I've now got it up to a cheerful tempo!
Locomotion + Twin Peaks theme song sounds like a perfect mashup!! Hehe.
How do/did you play with your kids around? Mine just want to bang on the piano--which is understandable and fun AND also frustrating. Or did they stop doing that after a while? I end up playing even less than I used to because I lose patience.
I have one who shows quite an interest in the piano (age six) and treats it like a musical instrument (she’s keen on the ukulele)...the other, let’s just say less so! I used to love playing for them as toddlers and through telling them the names of the songs got one to read...but these days it’s an activity I do when everyone is out of the house (so within school hours, on days partner goes into the office and when I need a distraction from work!)
I remember that story :) I have a 2-hour window every morning that sounds similar to what you describe, I might look for a new piece to work on occasionally! Thanks for the inspiration x
Loved the Vonnegut quote!
"La comparació per tal de reforçar cada individualitat", així és com m'agrada sentir-ho.