Last Sunday, my children had their violin recital. It was my daughter’s first. She started taking violin lessons in August and she has already learned the first five pieces in the Suzuki violin book number 1. By that I mean that she can play them by heart, but you understand she does not sound like a virtuoso yet, right? She sounds like a five-year-old who has been practicing five times a week for the past five months.
My son has taken violin lessons for two years now. He is working on the last piece in the second Suzuki violin book and then he will have graduated to book number three. He does well for his age but violin is a tough instrument. Just when you think you have fixed your fingering, the bow starts flying in all directions and you need to give it some attention.
I have uploaded their Twinkle, Twinkle duet from the violin recital. They did solos as well, but they will have to remain family videos. They also played in group songs. My son played four group songs and my daughter two. Here are We Wish You A Merry Christmas and Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer. My son is second from the right. Here’s Jolly Old Saint Nicholas. My daughter is wearing a red dress.
It was fun to see them out there and a good experience for all of us. Daddy felt proud, I know that. It was a relief to finally have the recitals behind us and take a much-needed break.
I will be honest, I have a hard time being positive about these small beginnings. I expect to hear an adult sound out of them. So this is my growth area, to be positive and encouraging despite the dissonant notes. I have to tell myself, “Despise not the day of small beginnings.” If you also have a hard time with this, take heart, for you are not alone, my friend. I feel your pain.
FYI, I enforce practice five days a week. They don’t practice on the day we go to church or on the day they have a lesson with their teacher. It is hard to get them to practice cheerfully, but I believe strongly in discipline. Children must be taught that work has to be done even when we do not feel like it. Good work ethics is what they call it, right?