Thursday, November 30, 2023

Felix's piano learning journey

Felix has been playing the piano since 2013.
4 year 7 month old playing The Rainbow from Alfred's Basic Piano Library lesson book. What's little Regis doing???
5 year 4 month old playing Dmitri Kabalevsky- 24 Pieces for Children, Op. 39, No.18 Galop
5 year 7 month old playing Trumpeter's Serenade by Fritz Spindler

After one month practice, 7 year old Felix performed for the school talent show.
The result was a shock when I saw it just put up after a 30 min wait. As I expected number 30 was the champion and number 19 was also great. 8 year old Felix was the youngest contestant and didn't work hard enough so I didn't expect too much. I felt a little disappointed because I thought he could get at least 80. His performance was nearly like playing at home. His fingers didn't slip too much, he didn't play several wrong notes or forget the text... He asked me about the result. I saw his disappointed face after telling him. I told him "it's ok and enjoy the process. Everything comes with practice. Practice makes perfect. You need to be patient and practice regularly and correctly."
We went see Thor Ragnarok in the afternoon on the way home. It's a great experience for a mother and son to attend.
9 year old practicing Tico-Tico no Fubá.
10 year old Felix won 5th prize among 9 contestants at 2019 Bohemia Metro Music Competition. When getting up on the competition morning, he said "I dreamed that I won 1st prize and got Lego toys! I'm going back to sleep to continue my dream." So cute! When we waited and watched others’ playing in the music hall, Felix told me “I’m afraid.” I’ve tried to tell my sons “Enjoy your performance. When you’re on stage, you share the music you’ve been working on with the audience.” I’m proud they made it!
Felix had prepared for New Taipei City Student Competition of Music since February 2019. He practiced 4 pieces. The three compulsory pieces were Bach Invention BWV 785Invention BWV 786 and Villa-Lobos Suíte infantil No.2 Allegro. His own choice piece was Mozart Variation KV265Finally, he won 7th prize among 31 contestants! My dad came stay with us for two nights to watch my sons' performances. We're so proud of them.
Felix often ignores my or teachers' words, just does what he wants. Although he didn't do well at Asia Pacific Music Competition and New Taipei City Student Competition of Music, it's a good timing to let him know that he should think about others' suggestions. The three compulsory pieces are In Autumn by Amy BeachBartók Mikrokosmos No.153 Six Dances in Bulgarian Rhythm VI and Ravel Le Tombeau de Couperin PréludeHis own choice piece is Chopin Scherzo No.2, Op.31.
After watching American medical drama TV series The Good Doctor in summer 2021, Felix said he wanted to be a surgeon! He needs to focus on studies to enter a nice public senior high. Besides, he hasn't had enough time practicing the instruments since he started junior high because he gets home at about 6:50 or 9:30 PM. I talked with him and then decided to suspend his piano lessons after the competition and continue his cello lessons which was suspended for almost 3 months.
Felix had taken a break from piano lessons since he started junior high. After discussing with him this summer, we decided to enter the competition and resume piano lessons once or twice a month. With limited practice time, 2-3 hours a week, I was satisfied with his performance on stage!

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