What could be stressing out poor Isabella?
Isabella, your 8-year- old student, is sitting at the piano, a huge smile on her face. She just figured out how to play “Oh Susannah” by ear. Sitting beside her on the piano bench, you got her started by showing her which keys she would need and which one to start on. Now, after reveling in her accomplishment, she announces “I should practice it a few more times.”
On her first try, Isabella plays a few notes, gets confused, clucks her tongue and begins again. “That’s okay,” you say gently. “Don’t worry.” Then she starts on the wrong piano key. “Are you sure that’s the note you want?” you ask. Taking the hint, Isabella spends awhile hunting for the right one, shouting “No—wait—just a second!” until she finds it. After a few more false starts she gets almost to the end of the song, makes a mistake, yells “Aaah!!!” and beats the air with her fists. “How about starting just before the …” “No!” interrupts Isabella. I have to go back to the beginning!” She begins once more and gets stuck. “What if you …” “Just let me do it again!” On her next try, Isabella plays the entire song perfectly. “YES!” she exclaims, stretching her arms upward in a gesture of victory. “I can’t believe I got it!”
While the end result is gratifying, Isabella is sweating and you are feeling tense and exhausted from watching her struggle. Is this just Isabella’s learning style, you wonder, or might there be some way to make it easier?
What would you do?
Let us know in the comments section below.
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