Payoff

My job can be exhausting.

"Let's count that rhythm." "Are you using your metronome at home?" "Dynamics really add depth to a piece. Let's try it again, and this time play those volume changes so I can hear them!" "How much are you practicing at home?" I say these things over and over again. Sometimes to the same students week after week, never hearing much of a change in the areas I've pointed out. One 30-min session each week hardly makes a difference if they aren't spending the time at home and I have very little control over the "at home" time.

And let's not forget what lesson time is like with my three little kids. As soon as I sit on that chair next to the piano someone starts crying, remembers they're hungry, wants to show me what they made at school, needs help turning on a movie, etc., etc, etc.

Tonight my students performed the two songs we've been working on since early February. A few of them came to lessons as recently as yesterday and were still stuggling with some crucial areas, as well as their ability to play from memory.


So how did it go? It was amazing. THEY were amazing! There were no major flaws, no giant slips. They performed their pieces better than they've ever played them. I sat in my usual spot on the front row, beaming every time one of them nailed their "trouble spot," my skin tingling with every powerful chord, brilliant crescendo, and continuous run up and down the keys.

THIS is why I love my job!