Last weekend we bought to my girl her own viola. I think 550 euros for that instrument was a good deal. When we went to the store there was a violin teacher and a viola teacher helping us to choose the right instrument. Even I could hear the difference between those little 11 inches violas. Still I think I was happy I didn't have to make the decision myself. I was happy to hear the teacher of our girl to concratulate us for buying such a good instrument.
This kind of hobby forces us parents to take actively part to it. I feel a bit insecure about watching if she holds the viola right ect. How could I know? I have never played any violins or violas. There's lot to learn for me too.
I was googling information about violas before going to buy one. I found couple of thesis about viola in music schools ect. There was a one question that was written in many texts about the problem of identity concerning viola players who change the instrument from the violin to the viola, as used to be the case of almos all viola players. My child seems to have very strong identity about her instrument. She is really strict about calling the instrument right. If somebody asks her: How is it to play the violin? She corrects it immediately, it is the viola, don't you know? She is proud to play the viola, she thinks it is the best instument of all, at least better than the whining violin. There was a one music pedagogue who asked if it would have been more wise to start with the violin. That is changing, but maybe for some people it is still new that a 6-year-old can start with the viola. At least in Finland there has been small violas for sale less than 10 years.
I am very content to see the enthusiasm that my child has. She was "playing" front of the mirror, proudly watching herself. The she said: "I dreamed this so much, but now I don't need to dream anymore because I'm doing it right now." What a wonderful feeling for a parent! I have offered her something she dreamed about. I wish that enthusiasm lasts.
8/31/11
8/24/11
Finally, viola lessons!
Yesterday my little girl had her first viola lesson. She was a bit dissapointed because she didn't get to play any instrument yet. At first the idea was to loan a little viola from the concervatory, but there weren't any. She got to try 1/4 violin, just to make sure what size viola would suit for her. She was anxious, behaving badly aka. rolling her eyes and not staying at her place. I really hope she'll calm down when she gets the instrument on her hands. Well, I understand her. She has waited this so long.
On the way home we went to paper store to buy all the stuff we need: note paper, golden cardboard and stickers. The cardboard now is attached to the door and every time she has spent 15 minutes playing or learning notes, she can put one sticker to the cardboard. Oh yeas, we decided to pride her. After 10 stickers she gets something small, maybe lollipop or new stickers. After 30, she can choose a children's play, concert ect. She has already chosen her first prize. I know this is going to work, because we used the same method to win her fear to ride a bike without those small wheels.
Yesterday I spent the whole evening googling information about violas. I realized, that I have to go and buy a viola, and I don't know anything about those instruments. How could I know if it is good or not? While googling I realized how the viola still seems to be in the shadow of the violin. Next Saturday we are going to travel 200 km to find a store that sells small violas. Hope we'll find a good one!
On the way home we went to paper store to buy all the stuff we need: note paper, golden cardboard and stickers. The cardboard now is attached to the door and every time she has spent 15 minutes playing or learning notes, she can put one sticker to the cardboard. Oh yeas, we decided to pride her. After 10 stickers she gets something small, maybe lollipop or new stickers. After 30, she can choose a children's play, concert ect. She has already chosen her first prize. I know this is going to work, because we used the same method to win her fear to ride a bike without those small wheels.
Yesterday I spent the whole evening googling information about violas. I realized, that I have to go and buy a viola, and I don't know anything about those instruments. How could I know if it is good or not? While googling I realized how the viola still seems to be in the shadow of the violin. Next Saturday we are going to travel 200 km to find a store that sells small violas. Hope we'll find a good one!
8/8/11
"Have you ever peed in your pants?"
I have been thinking many times what is the best way to do culture for children. I'm not going to give the answer, because I do not know it. But however, this question should be asked once again. Years ago I was discussing about children’s classical music concerts with a concert musician. He said that he can’t understand why there always has to be funny clowns or musician dressed as animals when we do music for children. He said it underestimates the ability of children to understand and enjoy music at itself. That musician said the children’s concerts should be as “the adult’s concerts”, not so long though. I agree on that children should not be excluded from any kind of music only because they are kids.
On the other hand… Are that kind of concerts funny? I would not call Brahms or Bach very hilarious. Enjoyable maybe yes, but not very LOL. I enjoy different kind of culture and music. Sometimes I want to watch art films, sometimes comedy.
Last weekend we were watching children’s play and listening to the children’s concert. On the play Pinocchio asked Jiminy Cricket has he ever peed in his pants. Everybody started laughing. I saw my 6-year-old and dozens other kids enjoying the play. They were having a blast. Maybe the story told something important about honesty, but most of all it was funny.
Then on Sunday we went to the free children’s concert at Hämeenpuisto park in Tampere. And yes, there was a cow, pig, horse, cat and a man dressed up as a farmer on the stage. And chicken puppets. The musicians sang, played and did all the animal noises. I have to say that this band called Ammuu (as the cow says in Finnish) does really good music, they all are professional musicians and it really can be heard. So do these animal costumes do any harm? I don’t think so.
If we come back to the classical music, I really think jumping clowns are not needed there, not every time at least. I like crossover arts, but there should also be concerts for kids where they can concentrate purely on music. They do not need any clowns for that. But sometimes clowns and slapstick are great fun for adults too.
On the other hand… Are that kind of concerts funny? I would not call Brahms or Bach very hilarious. Enjoyable maybe yes, but not very LOL. I enjoy different kind of culture and music. Sometimes I want to watch art films, sometimes comedy.
Last weekend we were watching children’s play and listening to the children’s concert. On the play Pinocchio asked Jiminy Cricket has he ever peed in his pants. Everybody started laughing. I saw my 6-year-old and dozens other kids enjoying the play. They were having a blast. Maybe the story told something important about honesty, but most of all it was funny.
Then on Sunday we went to the free children’s concert at Hämeenpuisto park in Tampere. And yes, there was a cow, pig, horse, cat and a man dressed up as a farmer on the stage. And chicken puppets. The musicians sang, played and did all the animal noises. I have to say that this band called Ammuu (as the cow says in Finnish) does really good music, they all are professional musicians and it really can be heard. So do these animal costumes do any harm? I don’t think so.
If we come back to the classical music, I really think jumping clowns are not needed there, not every time at least. I like crossover arts, but there should also be concerts for kids where they can concentrate purely on music. They do not need any clowns for that. But sometimes clowns and slapstick are great fun for adults too.
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