Anyone else out there have a musically gifted child? - Page 2

[catgirl]

You know...there are so few people I know IRL who would have the first clue what I was talking about! Thank G-d for this board!

[Profmom]

Catgirl: no, we aren't quite there yet! That's the hoped-for next step, though, though we aren't sure which program or teacher. DS studies now with ****, probably for one year, but maybe two. The proximate goal is to get ds to THINK and not just FEEL! This guy is all about Teknik! They are working on the Presto from Bach's Sonata I with a level of attention to detail that makes MY head spin. DS is eating it up, along with the (much easier) Mozart #3 in G) - but this is the first time he has really needed to take notes and focus note-for-note on such exacting instructions. DS is doing great emotionally with this and playing wonderfully - but I HATE listening to the yelling and stamping from the teacher. I'd just wait in the car if I didn't hope that my presence has a moderating influence (shudder!).
And no, we aren't Jewish, but I totally get what you mean and it fits completely! I hope you are feeling well again!

BTW - I don't think you are bragging at all, though you could, 'cause that is a very cool story about the Haydn concerto! Completely awesome for a 7yo!

How are his musical gifts 'met' by his peers, either at piano recitals/concerts or in school? We've found in the US that musical talent/giftedness is not taken very seriously. DS was taunted for playing the violin and for loving classical music. And being the 'little guy' in the youth orchestra did nothing for him socially either...

Fiestabeth: thanks so much for your support! I hope the piano lessons are a great experience for you dd! BTW, I was also passed up when 'they' were handing out musical talent... Must have come from dh, tho my brother was also very very musical when he was younger.

[jacqueline's Mom]

Hello Profmom,

I know what it is like to have a gifted child. My daughter is 15 now, but has been playing since she was 7 years old. She can't read a note of music, but plays lead guitar, bass, drums, and keyboard. She also sings, writes, and composes her own music. you can check her out a www.myspace.com/july23rd,
or www.myspace.com/jacquelinenassar.

She began playing blues since we are from the "home of the blues", but now writes alt/pop rock. I will say this is the hardest job I have ever had. No doubt she has been given a gift from God, but I have decided he trusted it to me for a reason. Hopefully, I can fulfil my duties as a Mother. I sure have some stories I could share. It is a tough world out there so guard your child closely. I have learned the hard way.

I would love to hear more stories about your child so we can compare. I will say that you can only teach a child the basics and where they take it from there is up to them. That is for sure. My daughter use to fall asleep with the guitar in her hands. I also have a picture of her on the day I brought her home from the hospital and her hands and arms look like she is ready to hold a guitar. Didn't think much about that at the time, but wow....

Thanks for letting me share. I would love to hear some stories about

[trishadiva]

Hi, I just wanted to jump in... I *was* a musically gifted child (piano prodigy) and am the mother of a 14-month old who appears to have a similar gift. I'm also a professional singer and music teacher by trade. Do you mind if I join the discussion?

[Profmom]

jacqueline's mom - great myspace page! You ds looks awesome. Trishadiva - of course you are welcome. You two probably have the most insight to offer!
I am not musical myself, so most of the time, I just don't 'get it'!

[eilonwy]

That is such a cool page! I'm very impressed.

I've been making phone calls about enrolling Bean in Suzuki lessons. It may not happen, but I"m really keeping my fingers crossed. : I'm disinclined to believe that any of my kids will be a musical prodigy, but I love music and I think it would be better for them to play than not, you know?

[jacqueline's Mom]

never doubt

Eilonwy we never know what our children will be. Just have to watch nurture and help them find themselves.

[catgirl]

Welcome, new subscribers! That is one cool webpage! I could never in a million years do stuff like that!

Originally Posted by Profmom

!

How are his musical gifts 'met' by his peers, either at piano recitals/concerts or in school? We've found in the US that musical talent/giftedness is not taken very seriously. DS was taunted for playing the violin and for loving classical music. And being the 'little guy' in the youth orchestra did nothing for him socially either...

.

Well, they haven't been met, but it hasn't been an issue yet. What I love about music is that no-one says, oh no, you can't play a concerto because you're seven, it would be bad for you socially! Of course, if music were run the way schools are, he would be forced to practice "Twinkle" over and over till everyone else had got it! :

I suppose actually there has been one problem - when he has his "graduation" recitals on completing a book, the kids his age tend not to come because they're nowhere near that level and don't meet him at group class, but the older kids don't come because he's a little kid. And they don't know quite what to make of him at group class either - the girls tend to be very sweet to him, but I can tell that one or two of the boys are jealous.

The most talented older boy, though, is very nice, and he and ds wil be playing duets this year (an arrangement of Ravel's "Mother Goose" suite, which will be pretty challenging for both of them).

Part of all this is due to being a big fish in a small pond. As his teacher puts him in for more area and regional events, though, he's coming across other very talented youngsters, so hopefully that will lead to some good things. Many of his homeschool friends play instruments, too, though not really at his level. They've played several times at nursing homes, which is great!

I'm so glad we're homeschooling! Instead of being the "music nerd", which I always was, he's "the kid who plays the piano", just like someone else is "the kid who loves history" or "the kid who's really serious about gymnastics".

[Enudely]

just subscrbing to the thread... I'm a music teacher...