Frolics and Romps

"Fun" is a word that can be used in the most inane contexts.  I mean, really, how "fun" do "fun runs" or "fun facts" ever turn out to be?  And so it has come to my attention that calling my approach "Piano FUNdamentals" apparently comes across in one of two ways.  The first, which was my intention, is to emphasize that learning any instrument (or in my opinion learning anything at all) can and should be engaging, satisfying, comprehensible, and, in the final analysis, just as enjoyable as it is challenging.  The other, which was not my intention at all, is that "fun" is a synonym for "frivolous". 

This is evidenced by the number of calls I get from two particular types of parents.  My favorites are the student refugees who truly want to learn piano, but have had less than inspiring experiences thus far.  They are endlessly confused and tend to say "sorry" a lot.  They are also extremely persistent and motivated.  Their parents sound most relieved that I have somehow have magically put the "fun" back into piano.  But really all I have done is given the student the tools, skills and information to feel confident in their abilities, and consequently to fuel their own enthusiasm.

The other type of parents want to know if little Johnny can "try it out" to "see  if it's fun", because they want him to be "exposed to music".  I know from painful experience that this is shorthand for an expectation that I will continually reschedule my professional life around his endlessly rotating activities and pretend not to notice that there is absolutely no parental assistance at home and therefore very little progress.  Because, after all, it says right there in my logo that piano is FUN, and therefore not to be taken very seriously.  And therefore, neither am I.  And therefore, I refer them to someone else.

No, learning any instrument is not all frolics and romps.  And yes, Ms. Alison does have extremely high standards and expectations.  And yes, she does subscribe to the unfashionable belief that efficient, effective, engaging work is in itself a pleasure.  The effort expended is exponentially outweighed by the satisfaction, confidence and joy gained by truly mastering even the most...FUNdamental...of pieces.