Yesterday we celebrated Mother’s Day. With that comes reflection on how becoming a mother has changed your life and how your kids have grown. My son is the kid playing in the video above, and I have to tell you in the beginning it was very challenging to teach him how to play the piano. Like any kid he didn’t like the idea of practicing and he got easily frustrated with all that playing the piano involves. Our lessons often ended with both of us upset and ready to throw the piano out the window, but it was too heavy for either of us to pick up! This continued for several years and then one day after about 7 years something changed.
Today we are both so glad that we did not give up. It’s pretty often these days that my husband and I wake up to the sound of live jazz piano being played in the morning. We can hardly believe that we even have to ask him to take a break from practicing sometimes to do important things like eating and sleeping. I’m talking about a teenage boy choosing piano over eating! That alone is enough for me to know that when it comes to piano lessons and frustrated kids and parents giving up cannot be an option. If you hang in there – especially on the most difficult days, the day will come when your child too will be glad you didn’t allow them or yourself to give up!
Happy Mother’s Day – everyday!
Kids & Keys 
Wow you must be a really proud mum! This is great, particularly the improvisation towards the end. Shows he is truly musical and clearly loves playing. Well done you and thanks for sharing!
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Thanks, Rebecca. He really does enjoy it and that makes me happy.
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… and one day they’ll realize that playing the piano (or any other instrument) is a great way for teenagers to de-stress. And they will thank you! And it’s awesome!
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Yes! I always say that playing the piano has saved me tons of money on therapy.
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Ha, LaDona, I was just at Rebecca Singerman-Knights blog and found that she has an article on how piano playing relieves stress. As I was about to let you know about her article I saw that you are already familiar with her blog in one of the comments there! I love the internet!
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Yes it’s great isn’t it? 🙂
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Yes – and I am so glad that I can now add your blog to my list of go to blogs for inspiration! Thanks, Rebecca
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Ahh, thanks – that’s great! Hope you enjoy reading it. 🙂
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Me too! It just keeps getting better and better …
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Thank you so much for this encouragement– it’s just what I needed this morning!! I have been teaching my 7-year-old son since he was four, and lately I’ve really felt like giving up. He’s so stubborn and difficult sometimes! I will keep at it though, and maybe one day I’ll wake up to jazz in the AM! You are blessed.
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Thanks for your comment, Nancy. You and your son can definitely do this! My son is now 14 and we started on this journey around the same age as your son is now. It gets really hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel, but hang in there!
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Did he compose this piece or could I find sheet music for it somewhere? It’s beautiful!
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Hi Charlotte, this song is written by Alicia Keys. You can find the sheet music here:http://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/mtdFPE.asp?ppn=MN0046772&
The song is called “If I Ain’t Got You”. Thanks for watching!
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Thanks so much for the encouragement regarding this subject. I am teaching my boys (9 and 6) and I have developed a real appreciation for the parents of my students that have to battle their kids to practice and take lessons as I have to do this on a daily basis. I’m hoping that one day bribery won’t be part of our routine, but for now, it seems to be the only way to move forward! UGH!
I hope my boys will one day love music the way your son does. We will press on, through tears and trials, that eventually lead to triumphs!
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Hi Karen! Thank you for sharing your experience of teaching your boys. Over the years I have found that my difficulties in teaching my son and daughter how to play the piano have helped me become a better teacher. Nobody can prepare you for working with other people’s kids than your own kids! Hang in there!
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You can do it- bribery and all!
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