 |
I took violin lessons seriously from age four until six – seriously meaning I practiced two hours a day. My mother, somehow, had the patience to practice two hours a day with all of her children, apparently deriving tremendous pleasure from the activity.
After that I took lessons off and on until I was 17, when I quit playing apart from Christmas morning, when we all play every year. Those childhood lessons are sufficiently engrained in my memory that I can play nearly any piece by ear, even when I fail to remove my violin from its case for months on end. It’s a skill I am grateful for, particularly when this summer it meant I could play along with my siblings and cousins at both grandfather’s funerals, as well as for my mom last Christmas.
Johnny has a violin inherited from my own childhood, and Lily has one I got off of ebay for $50 (including two bows and a case). So far, I haven’t developed the dedication to practice with them every day – or even every week – but my kids love to play. Johnny plays with gusto, but little attention to detail.
Lily instinctively knows how to hold the violin – something I’ve never seen. She loves to play:
And I love her excitement over her performance! At the end of her tuneless, albeit rhythmic, playing, she lifts her violin with great enthusiasm:
And says, “I did it!”
Emma was sad to outgrow the violin Johnny now plays, but Sarah just gave us one for her – all the more incentive to teach them to play actual notes! Thank you, Sarah!!!
|
Two hours a day? At four years old? I can’t even imagine that!
[Reply]
maryanne Reply:
September 21st, 2011 at 9:37 am
For a while, I could make myself fall asleep on demand, and I used to purposely take a nap as soon as I saw my mom getting out my violin. She wasn’t about to wake up a napping four-year-old to make me practice, so I’m sure I did less than two hours a lot of the time. It was broken up into shorter segments, too, not two hours straight.
I remember being sad when I outgrew the ability to fall asleep whenever I wanted to.
[Reply]
Awesome! Lily looks like a natural. Wow! And Johnny’s enthusiasm cracks me up!!
Is that a sponge chin rest? Nikki eschews her molded chin rest, although I think using it might help her keep the violin more level rather than pointing down at her toes (one of the few criticisms her examiner had during her first evaluation).
[Reply]
maryanne Reply:
September 21st, 2011 at 9:35 am
It is a sponge. It’s cut to my best guess of a comfortable shape from a huge sponge one of my sisters found for me. My kids seem to like it. Different chin rests definitely suit some people better than others.
[Reply]
Love the pictures!
[Reply]
So fun! Wow! Two hours a day from 4-6? So great that your kids love music so much.
[Reply]
maryanne Reply:
September 21st, 2011 at 9:38 am
It was broken up into shorter segments, and I’m sure it didn’t happen all the time, but that was definitely the goal. My kids will have to be self-motivated to practice that much!
[Reply]
I’m with Christy, 2 hours? Yikes!
The violins are so small and cute.
[Reply]
maryanne Reply:
September 21st, 2011 at 9:39 am
They are super cute, aren’t they?
The two hours didn’t seem like that much to me at the time. It was broken into several sessions, and I wasn’t in school. And it was the goal, not always achieved I’m sure =)
[Reply]
Amazing. Not only your children are artistic, they are also musical. They are so lucky to grow up with very special parents!
[Reply]
maryanne Reply:
September 21st, 2011 at 9:39 am
I love that they like art and music. I would be sad if they didn’t like music at all, but the art is really cool for me to see because I always wanted to draw well.
[Reply]
Lily looks like a pro, that is amazing!
They look so cute with their little violins. Way to go on the lessons too!
[Reply]
I love that you make music a priority!
Those pictures are priceless!
[Reply]
Lily looks like a natural. The look on her face when she has completed her piece is adorable.
Way to go Johnny, getting in and having fun while he plays his tune.
It’s very special that you can pass on your knowledge of the violin with your children. Your family is going to be able to put on some entertaining and memorable concerts.
[Reply]
I just happened to stumble onto your blog, how wonderful! Thank you for sharing your ideas. :)
[Reply]
I always wanted to learn how to play the violin, but judging how well I did at learning how to play the trumpet and guitar…it’s probably best I just appreciate it on CD’s! I hope one day we’ll get to hear your kiddo’s beautiful music.
[Reply]
They are adorable! That’s awesome that you play, and are teaching them to play. I always wanted to learn an instrument, and would like the kids too, as well.
[Reply]