My son used to HATE playing piano. It’s especially intense when he was in standard 6 & during the first few months of form 1. He would say, “Most of my friends (boy) have stopped learning piano. Those who’re still learning are forced by their mothers…only sissy plays piano…” Once he even used his epee to poke the piano as if it was a big black monster!
A piano teacher told me a boy came to her piano lesson with a “pouting mouth”. She later found out that poor boy’s classmate was calling him “sissy…sissy…” after knowing he was going to attend piano lesson after school.
My new Yamaha piano to replace the 30 year old Kawai piano.
Even so, I know my son loves music and he’s a fast learner. But due to peer pressure and being a young boy at that time, he’s lazy & impatient to sit still and practice.
Fortunately I didn’t give up on him (I nearly did)& he didn't quit. Since the middle of last year, he started to change & fell in love with this wonderful musical instrument. Today, he’s motivated to play, just like his 2 younger sisters. Apart from the ABRSM lessons, they're very eager to download & play pop songs piano sheets from the internet. In fact, I think my son is the one who has positively influenced his sisters.
He requested a keyboard in his room. It's a good way to relax after doing some school work. Sometimes his friends will come over with electric guitars for their band practice. I told him keyboard is like a mini pool with jacuzzi, but piano is the olympic size swimming pool.
When I was young, I loved playing Richard Clayderman song. Now my kids adore Bruno Mars...
Instead of reading piano scores, sometimes they'll use this non-conventional way.
My son used to play like chasing a bullet train, but now he plays with expression. And best of all, he has finally realized that playing piano is not sissy but cool.
