A Winning Smile

Last night, at 7:00, I met Callie. Callie is seven. She was wearing a cheerful, classic seven-year old smile--the kind with teeth missing and others slightly crooked--with a yellow dress to match its brightness. She was immediately happy to see me, and excited to get started on our piano lesson. This was her first piano lesson ever, and I, as her teacher, had prepared the basics so she could start learning. It was an honor to be able to work with such a vibrant spirit. We were only learning finger numbers and simple, elementary exercises, but she took to it with excitement. After every time she would complete the basic exercise, she would look at me and smile her biggest smile. As if to say: "look what I just played! Didn't it sound just fabulous? I am such a great player!" It was clear that she was enjoying her playing, even if it was only hitting every white key down the piano. It wasn't a real song, didn't sound extravagant, and wasn't played perfectly. But her smile said otherwise.

Working with Callie last night inspired me. Seeing how easily overjoyed she was with such simple things surprised me, to the point of examining my own playing and practicing. I often times get discouraged while practicing, as I am a perfectionist, and hardly ever smile so brightly while I am working. Piano, for a long time, has been more like a job for me. Trying to get the right notes, the correct articulations, and eliminating  all tension while playing is usually what I am focusing on. I have realized that I hardly ever think of my accomplishments. After I finish playing a piece, instead of smiling, I immediately grab a pencil, mark my mistake, and try again and again until I get it right.

Because playing the piano brings its frustrations and discouragements, often times I don't look forward to practicing. I think about what I have to get done, what skills I have to master, and forget to think about what an amazing thing playing the piano is. Even though my songs communicate much more than the simple exercises Callie played, I often fail to feel the joy from playing them that should be ever present in my attitude and playing.

My goal this week is to be more like Callie. It is to acknowledge my successes, take pride in my playing, and concentrate on the good things I play more than the bad. At the end of my practice or lesson, I want to be able to say what Callie said to me before she left "I wish I had piano lesson tomorrow too!" She then gave me a hug, and one of her winning smiles. I think it is incredible the way that she had only known me for half an hour but already wanted to give me a hug. Such actions can only be found in children, and they are an inspiration to me to be open to others and feel comfortable around all people, even when I am still just meeting others here at Wartburg.

Seeing her obvious joy, obvious delight, in something so small and so simple has taught me something about approaching not just the piano, but also about approaching all things. If I were to approach every task, even the easy or basic ones, with a smile as big as Callie's, I believe I would enjoy life more and have a better attitude. Teaching Callie reminded me why I am majoring in music in the first place, and why I have decided to go into teaching piano. Although I was the one who taught her her exercises, she has taught me that enjoying myself is just as important as getting the right notes.

Sarah