piano room reveal

Here is a little video of my new room. I asked James to play some background music to add drama. He was happy to oblige with a new song he is working on for the next recital. He is a great performer, but what kills me is his theory knowledge. He has been transposing songs for me ever since he learned different key signatures (I don't even know if that is what they are called). His teacher (she is wonderful) is big on theory and James just seems to get it.

The room looks like something out of the Pottery Barn catalog, no? Very beautiful.



I have tried so hard not to let my kids get behind in piano these last few weeks. I feel like I just can't let this one go. When my cancer came back in the leg last year, I thought long and hard about what I want to accomplish with my kids. It was also the time my sister bought me the book Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother, and after reading it I felt sure that piano was something that would fit many of the things I wanted to give my kids. It gave them a skill, something to be proud of, something we could work on together, something challenging, something that they could always have. But mostly, an outlet.

I find myself, particularly in times of distress, staring at the piano and wishing so badly that I could pound out what I feel. That I could give my feelings a voice without having to speak. I am missing some way to express myself. Josh also feels this way. We have always said that our kids would play, but that book changed my attitude toward the whole thing. I don't expect them to be concert pianists or anything, but I do expect that when it's time for piano practice, that they be serious and don't waste time. I expect them to get it right. I also expect them to fight with me about it. And I expect to win these arguments.

I hired a piano tutor for the boys for now, as I am not very consistent with their practicing. I have spent an hour almost daily helping these kids out, and it makes me sick to think that we could lose all we have worked for. There is Tiger Mother blood in me now, and my children will keep up with piano.