Piano Honeymoon

Collin found a piano for us to collect in the first few days of us moving in, while we still had the moving truck.  It was a good idea.  My sister and friend were there to help us load it on one side of the bay and Collin's sister, brother and dad were there to help unload it on the other.  I was so overwhelmed at that point.  I was quite grumpy about the whole thing.  Now, of course, I'm very happy we had it from the beginning.  It required (and still should have more) tunings and some keys fixed, but over all it's a perfectly fine instrument to learn on.  We didn't push lessons for the first few weeks, really until after school started.  The kids would just plunk around on it for fun.

We have done lessons now for a few months.  We are using Joseph Hoffman's online academy.  The lessons are on video and we print out theory worksheets and sheet music.  I'm so happy with how this has started us off.  It's a very low cost and the kids flew happily through the most beginner bits.  I'm still monitoring the lessons but if something comes up that would be an issue between me and the kids I just say, "well, Mr Hoffman explained it was this way."  I like having the back up of a teacher when my authority is questioned.  Ha!

Just Davy and Eddy are officially doing lessons now, but Eliza is paying close attention and loves playing.  Davy especially enjoys (the simplified) Fur Elise he learned extra, on top of his every day songs.  I'm not a pushy parent in the music department.  Collin and I agree that we want our children literate in music, however they decide to implement it.  Piano is a good basic.  They are learning to read notes, feel rhythm and hear their body create music.  I'm in it for the long haul--we are sticking with piano at least through some hymns . . . but I don't care about recitals or perfection.  While I insist on correct finger shape and good posture, the rest might be appalling to a professional. 

So that's us, right now.  In a good place with the piano. 

That said, I am glad Christmas is over, just because I am so weary of Jingle Bells constantly banged out on the keys.