Its nice to hear about you and how your family is carrying on the trend to teach piano to the kids.

I really enjoyed your post. As a former piano player I can relate to what you said about not being able to play without a piece of music. It is quite sad. Unfortunately, many children do give up. I did after 7 years of lessons. My parents would ask me to play and unless I had a memorized piece or sheet music I was incapable of playing anything.

Fast forward to today. Four of my children have learned guitar. They did not learn to play scales and notes but have learned chords. They were able to make music at their first attempt. This positive reinforcement and joy in playing music they like has led them to learn more and more about the guitar. It amazes me because within a few months of playing they were writing their own music. Now, 2 1/2 years later they have developed into skilled players and songwriters. They have surpassed others who are taking lessons and I believe this is because they are able to understand music as an extension of themselves, as you quoted above. They can pick up a new song quickly and pick out the correct chords to songs they have heard.

I am not certain if this is similar to solfege, but I have seen through my own experiences and those of others that unless we truly understand music in the way you have described, we are just mimics with little or no creativity or understanding.

My father taught himself to play the piano through chords as well. He can sit at the piano and play music at any time without practicing. When he sits down, everyone gathers around to sing along. How I wish I had acquired this skill instead of taking years of lessons that allow me to play nothing without arduously practicing.

Interestingly enough, my girls have taught me to play the guitar. I understand more about music now, in just over a year, than I ever did as a child taking lessons. I may not remember the names of the strings on the guitar, but I can make music. Certainly if I had more time to play, my playing would improve, but within a few months of playing I could make music, something I never experienced as a piano student.

I look forward to Little Musician. I am sure it will be an answer to many parent’s prayers.