The Discipline of an Aspiring Artist

A 7-year-old student of mine is beginning her maiden venture into the piano scales - which many pianists grudgingly appreciate for what they, scales, do best: developing fingering awareness, demystifying musical composition, building confidence on the keyboard, strengthening technique and other boring but good stuff. 

Alas, there are no shortcuts to Carnegie Hall. 

Or to that spellbinding jazz improvisation.  

I was just as anxious introducing the scales to her as she was taking it all in. With the enthusiastic smile of a matchmaker plastered on my face (that didn't quite match the sinking of my hidden heart while I beheld the skepticism on her face), I explained as simply as I could what the keys are and why learning the scales is necessary "even for teacher." I demonstrated the fingering. She imitated me.

And so, we started off with 4 major scales last week - C, G, D and F. She mastered C. Pretty good for a start.

Apparently, she had practised them so sedulously till her hands nearly died. Her commitment put me to shame. (I must repent.)

Oh well, I, nearly a musical purist in the finest sense of the word, am establishing discipline - for both S and myself. I hope to be faithful in empowering her to be faithful beyond this week. Haha.