those that are musically inclined (esp piano) gotta share about my piano boy

rachel, this is SOMEWHAT of a shout out for you

but seriously, I never brag, but is this normal, i think I have a piano boy on my hands

my 5 yr old, I posted about him before. He thought the piano was cool, back in Nov/Dec, so he played around with daddys keyboard for fun. Daddy taught the VERY basics (because daddy only KNOWS the basics ) but realized that he caught on at a speed that was almost freaky.

a few friends/family saw him play and had this reaction a few got chills and tears in their eyes.

then daddy taught him Feur de lis (the very beginning) he learned it instantly, (two hands!). we have you tube clips

so now we're in jan/feb and we decided to get him a formal teacher to teach him "the right waY". and let him go as long as he still enjoys it.

the teacher didnt want to see him at first, thinking 5 is very young, maybe next year. but he said he'd give it a chance. well the teacher was completely baffled at how he played, how quickly he picks up what he's taught, and how quickly he moves through to the next levels of what he's being taught.

so I thought it was cute that he played happy birthday and mary had a little lamb by ear, I thought it was something all kids could do. but now he started playing random things by ear.

just out of the blue, he will play the star wars theme, also he just sang
"we're going to kentucky" At a school concert, so the other day, he just played that at the piano (we now have a digital piano), totally by ear, first time and no mistakes.

and he just has a nack for picking things up quickly, be it sports, facts (math, science, music notes and facts, etc) and now playing piano.

do we encourage playing by ear, or is it best to teach him to only read music ?

and the most amazing thing is that he's usually very hyper and rambunctious and the piano has such a calming effect on him. he becomes this quiet kid, who listens and focus like he's in a trance, and wants more more more.
his teacher said he sees students like this very very seldomly.

and one thing that im a little sad about is he's DYING to play the piano for a little second in music class at school and she hasnt let him. she even mentioned to me once that she will one day. I know then it becomes "well then all the students have to get a turn"... but wouldnt a music teacher WANt to see a child so passionate about music ? he's ok with rules when he knows they are rules, but I know he'd be gushing with pride if she let him play in class... oh well...

he was even excited to go to church. the first thing he saw was the piano (God forgive him )

well thanks for listening.

any feedback from the musicians ?





and thanks for letting me share..

Message edited 4/10/2008 10:41:15 PM.

Re: those that are musically inclined (esp piano)

He sounds very talented! That's great!

I'm not a music teacher, but I started playing the piano young too, and continued with instruments throughout school and still play now... I played by ear for fun and learned to read music through lessons, so that's a little of both and I turned out fine. You could try that too if you're comfortable with him playing both ways.

Re: those that are musically inclined (esp piano) gotta share about my piano boy

That's totally awesome!!!!!!!!!!! I've played the Piano since I was 5! What a talented little boy you have

Re: those that are musically inclined (esp piano) gotta share about my piano boy

Foster it. Let him explore music as much as he can. Play different styles and eras. Take him to concerts in the park....

Also play different instrument sounds for him to see if he likes any others. Many children who pick up music by ear like that can play a variety of instruments.

I love it. I kind of hope my son inherited this from me or DH.

Re: those that are musically inclined (esp piano) gotta share about my piano boy

Wow!!

Good for him!!

Why not encourage him to play by ear?That is an amazing talent for a 5 year old.

You must be very proud!!

Re: those that are musically inclined (esp piano) gotta share about my piano boy

OMG! WOW!

He's going to grow up to be a piano genius! I went to school with kids who could hear something once and play it by ear.

Thie kid who could play every rachmaninoff (SP?) piece ever comes in and hears some Ska song I'm sure he never heard before, sat down and played it.

Re: those that are musically inclined (esp piano) gotta share about my piano boy

Wow! He sounds like he really has an innate talent.

Why not encourage playing by ear? He will still learn to read music and play that way through his lessons. If he can play by ear, too, that's phenomenal.

Re: those that are musically inclined (esp piano) gotta share about my piano boy

My dad learned to play the piano and and after a few lessons he started picking up everything by ear. He still plays and it's all by ear.

There are also music camps he can go to.

Re: those that are musically inclined (esp piano) gotta share about my piano boy

I would say you can do both- but I think lessons and reading music is very important. I started lessons at 5 and have been able to read music since then...

Re: those that are musically inclined (esp piano) gotta share about my piano boy

As a singer with musical training, I would encourage him to do both:

- play by ear
- get piano lessons.

letting him putz around playing things by ear develops his sense of pitch. doing this helps him hear the various intervals in music as well as developing a sense of pitch.

the piano lessons will teach him the proper fingering and the musical notation.

IMO, it is essential that he does both.

feel free to FM with questions.

Re: those that are musically inclined (esp piano) gotta share about my piano boy

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOO MMMMMMyyy God Anna he is truly gifted. please please send me the clip!!!

Re: those that are musically inclined (esp piano) gotta share about my piano boy

That is an amazing gift!!!!
I took lessons for years and still can't play squat.
DH is a very talented pianist as well and it just amazes me to watch his hands on the keys.....it boggles my mind how he can just hear a song and play it.

YOur son is so lucky to have a mom who cares so much....

Re: those that are musically inclined (esp piano) gotta share about my piano boy

WOW, sounds like you've got a little musical prodigy over there!!!!!!

Playing by ear is an AMAZIING skill and you should definitely encourage him to continue doing so. It's something I could never do, I even took ear training and just never got it. I also think it's important for him to learn how to read music too so that he doesn't have to hear a song first before he can play it.

Post the you tube clips, I'd love to see them!!

Re: those that are musically inclined (esp piano) gotta share about my piano boy

Message edited 11/18/2011 2:07:29 PM.