Flying Solo

Life was pretty normal today, with a call to @galenkp and co around lunchtime, cleaning the house, doing laundry, playing some games together and generally, preparing for the week ahead. I am meant to be going on a work trip from Tuesday, but haven't started packing yet.

Smallsteps participated in her first solo piano recital tonight, with two songs that she has been practicing for the last few weeks - Au clair de la lune and Chim Chim Cher-ee, from Mary Poppins. She has been very nervous in the leadup about performing in front of people by herself. But, after pushing the butterflies away and after an awkward bow, she got on with the job at hand.

As we got there far too early (the teachers weren't there yet), so Smallsteps was able to play a bit of each song to get a feel for the grand piano, which she hasn't played much before. I could also take a couple photos, though it was pretty dark in the place and I was flashless.

We have a standing piano at home, that we were gifted by family as they couldn't fit it in their new apartment. We have had it since we moved into this house, but Smallsteps has only started having lessons from the start of this year. However, the difference in sound between the two is quite extreme, even though we had ours tuned not so long ago. Granted, I don't think the guy did a great job tuning, but if Smallsteps continues on down this path, I might look at getting her a digital piano instead.

She is growing up so fast now, that I feel like I am missing bits and pieces of her life. Like, I blink, and something else has changed and I didn't even know it was on the cards. What I notice a lot these days is how her language is changing, as she is using increasingly complex sentence structures, with broader vocabulary. She is also getting sharper with her humor, which is impressive as at least to me, she has always been quick-witted.

She keeps me on my toes.
Which isn't that hard.

I am going to have to find ways to up the language challenge for her, so that she doesn't plateau in English because she is stuck interacting with me. Of course, as she starts reading more her vocabulary will improve, but there is nothing like proper conversation to hone skills and learn about all of the subtle cues in speed, tone and pitch - not to mention the associated body language that adds complexity to the arrangement. There is a lot to learn, but practical exercise is the best way.

There were other kids performing, most quite a bit older, and I asked Smallsteps if seeing them play had any affect on her and she realized that it makes her want to practice more and improve, as they played so beautifully. I think that it is a good lesson in how the people around us can influence our desires, and our behaviors. If we want to improve at something, we should surround ourselves with people who are already better at us at it, and who are able to inspire us to practice a little more.

Taraz
[ Gen1: Hive ]