Is this normal?

[Molly]

Balfour you are so right. Reading music is not easy, and takes constant practice. I used to play an instrument in middle school and was able to read music on the treble clef, but when I stopped playing I COMPLETELY forgot how to do it. It wasn’t like riding a bike, I lost the ability pretty much altogether. It’s something I really would like to be able to do better.

Thanks for your insight Philippa, it does sound like you were quite the rogue pupil! I love that you took only the parts of this training that served you. My teacher is very “by the book”, but I was adamant about learning music theory from the start and made that very clear. She’s always assigned me a lot of theory workbooks, flash cards, and sight reading exercises that have all helped me greatly. So it isn’t as if she is telling me never to read any music or something extreme like that. We just never read directly from the Suzuki books. Although, admittedly, I sometimes just read it anyway! (Though I might get my hand slapped if she ever read this thread, LOL)

You’re so right about the lesson content being basically the same, though. After I learn the notes and placements, we refine the techniques until it gets smooth. This is one of the many things I love about my teacher, she really has helped me to dial in my “problem spots”. In that respect, I think she was probably right to focus more on technique at the beginning vs learning the music, since I already had SO much to learn. But I feel like I’m getting to the point where I need to be reading the music out of the book and I will definitely bring that up the next time I see her!

[balfour-knight]

This reminds me of an adult lady, mid-forties, who came to study piano with me many years ago. Her goal was to learn to play “Fur Elise” by Beethoven, since her husband had bought her a fine Steinway grand piano. The tough job was teaching her how to read music, and all the additional materials like music theory and technique, to get her to the point of being able to play “Elise.” Anyway, we both persevered, with joy and some tears, and finally after about three years she was able to play “Elise” very well. After that, she did a few other fun pieces before her life became too busy to continue her piano lessons. This is just to let you know that “it CAN be done,” with enough persistence and patience!

Harp Hugs everyone,
Balfour

[Philippa mcauliffe]

You were pretty lucky it was Fur Elise! Or unlucky if you wanted her as a pupil for life I suppose. My mother learnt the piano purely to play the slow movt of the Pathetique and gave up immediately that was achieved. I assume you have read Alan Rusbridger’s Play It Again – a great account of his mission to conquer Chopin’s Ballade No. 1!

[balfour-knight]

That’s too funny about your mother, Philippa, ha, ha! How long did it take her to get to the point of playing Beethoven’s slow movement of the Pathetique? I love that entire Sonata.

I have not read Play It Again. I will try to find it.

Happy Easter, everyone! Harp Hugs,
Balfour (and Carol Lynn)

[Elizabeth Volpé Bligh]

I concur that reading music is a skill that should be nurtured right from the start. As musicians, we are constantly asked to learn a piece of music quickly, even on one day’s notice. If you can’t read music fluently, you can’t take these jobs. It really limits you. It’s good to have a combination of “paper-training” and playing by ear.

[Lily-White]

I thoroughly enjoyed reading about the two ladies learning the piano purely to play “Für Elise” and the slow movement of the “Pathétique”, respectively. It’s so funny, on the other hand you can look at it from many different perspectives. Chapeau for these ladies, who went for it – and accomplished it!

A very interesting thread in general as well, for a beginner like me, who hadn’t even thought about learning to play the harp without the sheet music. I learned to read music a long time ago, when I learned to play the piano. I guess I’m a little too attached to always having my music stand beside me. But I’m fine with it, at least for now. 🙂

Anyway, just wanted to thank Philippa and Balfour for sharing those delicious stories! 😀

– Lily

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