Mistakes are meant to be made
My youngest sat down at the piano today after I reminded him to practice.
I asked him, "what do you have to practice for your next lesson?"
He says, "I have to make major Do-Re-Mis."
I said, "Okay", not really understanding what that actually was. I leave the room.
After a few seconds, I hear him play a major C scale with him singing along, Do-Re-Mi..." Then nothing.
A minute or so passes and I hear feet shuffling and sobs.
I come back in the room and ask him what's wrong.
"It's too hard!" he says between sobs.
I say, "that is why you need to practice!"
Geez, how did my parents get me to practice daily, for 30 minutes, without fail or complaint.
Perhaps my childhood memories are a bit fuzzy.
He continues to sob whiny-ly.
"But, I just can't do it."
I guess what he was to do and play a few major scales in a few keys. Some I do without mistakes, some I have to repeat after making a few mistakes.
Lightbulb clicks.
"You are supposed to make mistakes."
He looks confused.
"The whole purpose of this is to make mistakes - there is no other way around it. That's how you are going to learn it."
He still looks unconvinced.
"Your teacher didn't tell you but you are suppose to make mistakes. That is the whole reason for this assignment. You HAVE to make mistakes, there is no way around it."
I leave the room. Feeling quite pleased with myself. Soon, I hear him playing major scales, stopping and starting as he makes the inevitable, necesary mistakes.
Music playing is awesome!!
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