Lessons in the Key of Life
Viewing comments for Prologue "My Own Piano Lesson Experience"A music and dance teacher's improvization
24 total reviews
Comment from judiverse
This is excellent. You reveal so much about yourself in your quest for a music teacher after Mrs. Brenner. The college professor sounds terrible. That was probably the way he treated his college students, too. Since your were so young, it was even worse that he put you down at every opportunity. I'm glad your mother heeded your protest about going back to him for lessons. Taking lessons on the flute too was impressive. If I may, something about Lesson: When teaching is cultivated, etc. seems a little preachy. Maybe you could incorporate what was learned a little more smoothly. I don't know that others will feel that way, but that's my take. judi
reply by the author on 17-Mar-2019
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This is excellent. You reveal so much about yourself in your quest for a music teacher after Mrs. Brenner. The college professor sounds terrible. That was probably the way he treated his college students, too. Since your were so young, it was even worse that he put you down at every opportunity. I'm glad your mother heeded your protest about going back to him for lessons. Taking lessons on the flute too was impressive. If I may, something about Lesson: When teaching is cultivated, etc. seems a little preachy. Maybe you could incorporate what was learned a little more smoothly. I don't know that others will feel that way, but that's my take. judi
Comment Written 17-Mar-2019
reply by the author on 17-Mar-2019
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Okay; I am hearing what you're offering with that suggestion and will go back and check it out and edit accordingly. Thanking you for taking the time to help me, Judi. I always appreciate what you tell me. xo
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You're welcome. Maybe it's just me, but I would prefer a more subtle way of getting that across. judi
Comment from Colin John
Hi Rachelle. I do really like the way you express your work and i would like to read the next part when put up. you are so right about once learned a skill even under duress that you can use forever,not ever having a chance or push i am a bit jealous when my son or others around me start playing the guitar piano etc , my sons self taught so i really have no excuse. Keep up the excellent writing. Kind Regards Colin
reply by the author on 17-Mar-2019
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Hi Rachelle. I do really like the way you express your work and i would like to read the next part when put up. you are so right about once learned a skill even under duress that you can use forever,not ever having a chance or push i am a bit jealous when my son or others around me start playing the guitar piano etc , my sons self taught so i really have no excuse. Keep up the excellent writing. Kind Regards Colin
Comment Written 17-Mar-2019
reply by the author on 17-Mar-2019
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Thank you, Colin! What a lovely review! But in no way is it a commentary on you if your son is self-taught and you have not picked up an instrument, yourself. We performers, after all, NEED appreciative audiences!! And playing an instrument isn't for everyone. It's perfect acceptable to just be one who loves to listen. xo
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Yes you are right of course, i did perform or read i should say a poem to about a hundred people on remembrance day. The 100 year one recently and got warm applause and handshakes etc, so i get what you mean XX
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There you go!!
Comment from Gail Denham
Wonderful - a great look at some trying circumstances -- and when keeping a stiff upper lip was the norm. Finally good came of all this. I enjoyed your look back very much. You deserved that scholarship. In the short paragraph beginning with "I cried myself...you go into Beverley's head I think. The last part of that paragraph.
So well written - cannot find any other "nits" to pick. Nice job.
reply by the author on 17-Mar-2019
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Wonderful - a great look at some trying circumstances -- and when keeping a stiff upper lip was the norm. Finally good came of all this. I enjoyed your look back very much. You deserved that scholarship. In the short paragraph beginning with "I cried myself...you go into Beverley's head I think. The last part of that paragraph.
So well written - cannot find any other "nits" to pick. Nice job.
Comment Written 17-Mar-2019
reply by the author on 17-Mar-2019
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Thanks, Gail, I'll check that out. I appreciate you finding nits I miss. I call that "having my back," and it means the world to me. xo
Comment from Y. M. Roger
A wonderful recollection here, Rachelle - an easy and delightful read that really holds the reader's attention! Loved slowly-face 1and 2 ..... But what a bunch of useless instructors ... Hey, I know, let's berate a child so that they hate music...... Sheesh! ;) Thank you for sharing! ;) Yvette
reply by the author on 17-Mar-2019
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A wonderful recollection here, Rachelle - an easy and delightful read that really holds the reader's attention! Loved slowly-face 1and 2 ..... But what a bunch of useless instructors ... Hey, I know, let's berate a child so that they hate music...... Sheesh! ;) Thank you for sharing! ;) Yvette
Comment Written 17-Mar-2019
reply by the author on 17-Mar-2019
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Right? Oy! Oh well, I'm still alive to tell the tale as a music teacher who loves her work. So a victory for the good guys, Yvette!! Thank you for your lovely review. I always appreciate hearing from you. xo
Comment from A. Willow Bends
So very impressive. I can nearly see it, the so close to perfect child refusing to take her last 4 weeks of piano! You GO GIRL. I was a bit of a rebel myself. HA. Liar, I am. I invented the word REBEL. This is such a lovely story of an era of your life, the development of a percentage (a large percentage of your "being"). Loved having a peek inside. Congrats. It is flawless. Love it!
Wendy
reply by the author on 17-Mar-2019
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So very impressive. I can nearly see it, the so close to perfect child refusing to take her last 4 weeks of piano! You GO GIRL. I was a bit of a rebel myself. HA. Liar, I am. I invented the word REBEL. This is such a lovely story of an era of your life, the development of a percentage (a large percentage of your "being"). Loved having a peek inside. Congrats. It is flawless. Love it!
Wendy
Comment Written 17-Mar-2019
reply by the author on 17-Mar-2019
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Oh, you sweet talkin' reviewer! Thank you for this extra wonderful review. I should have guessed you were a rebel. Kindred spirits, and all, right?
Thank you for the extra star, as well. Very much appreciated. xo
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I was made to take piano lessons. No natural talent. Had to practice things over and over again, but am NOW as an adult SO glad. I can still sit down and work through stuff and have a piano and a keyboard in my home. Would not be without them. Should be a part of every home. In band, played saxophone (alto/tenor/baritone), then switched to alto/bass clarinet for clarinet choir. LOVED those. AND learned to play electric bass guitar by ear with a bunch of old guys. Still mess with that alone in my basement. ITS ALL ABOUT THAT BASS! You deserve the review and stars! Many.
Wendy
Comment from Shirley McLain
Love your piano story. You did a very good job and I did not see any problems at all, It was paced well and the action kept me reading. Have a blessed day. Shirley
reply by the author on 17-Mar-2019
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Love your piano story. You did a very good job and I did not see any problems at all, It was paced well and the action kept me reading. Have a blessed day. Shirley
Comment Written 17-Mar-2019
reply by the author on 17-Mar-2019
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Thank you very much, Shirley. I always appreciate your feedback. xo
Comment from Phyllis Stewart
I'm glad she stuck with it, despite a bad teacher for a while. What one learns can never be taken away, and it's a skill that can have many uses in life. Seems she came to be a determined child from the hard times suffered with bad teachers, and that too will serve her well. :)
reply by the author on 17-Mar-2019
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I'm glad she stuck with it, despite a bad teacher for a while. What one learns can never be taken away, and it's a skill that can have many uses in life. Seems she came to be a determined child from the hard times suffered with bad teachers, and that too will serve her well. :)
Comment Written 17-Mar-2019
reply by the author on 17-Mar-2019
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Yes, so true. Thanks for the review, Phyllis. xo
Comment from HealingMuse
Hi Rachelle,
This is a fabulous write, imparting sound advice to not suffer in sildence when so many alternatives exist.
As always, nothing here for me to suggest improving upon. Thanks for sharing your great work. Jan
reply by the author on 17-Mar-2019
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Hi Rachelle,
This is a fabulous write, imparting sound advice to not suffer in sildence when so many alternatives exist.
As always, nothing here for me to suggest improving upon. Thanks for sharing your great work. Jan
Comment Written 17-Mar-2019
reply by the author on 17-Mar-2019
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Thank you, too, Jan. I appreciate your encouraging words, as always. xo
Comment from Debra White
Hi Rachelle,
You are just so easy to read - unputdownable!
I can't wait to read the next chapter.
I enjoy the little lessons throughout :)
Beverly Brenner was your champion and nurtured your natural musical ability and your self belief - Just imagine if every child had their very own Beverly Brenner...the world would be full of positivity and possibility - how refreshing that would be!
Thank you for sharing - hurry up and write the next bit!
Best wishes as always, Debra :)
reply by the author on 17-Mar-2019
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Hi Rachelle,
You are just so easy to read - unputdownable!
I can't wait to read the next chapter.
I enjoy the little lessons throughout :)
Beverly Brenner was your champion and nurtured your natural musical ability and your self belief - Just imagine if every child had their very own Beverly Brenner...the world would be full of positivity and possibility - how refreshing that would be!
Thank you for sharing - hurry up and write the next bit!
Best wishes as always, Debra :)
Comment Written 17-Mar-2019
reply by the author on 17-Mar-2019
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Hahaha. Debra, you always have the nicest way of making me feel like a good writer. Thank you for that. (I love the word 'unputdownable'! hahahhaha.)
The additional wonderful thing about Mrs. Brenner was that she taught me, by example, how to be that kind of teacher, too. I remember how good and accomplished and capable I felt every Saturday morning when I left her house, and that made me want to go home and practice even more so that I could feel that way the next week, too. I emulate that style now with every one of my 73 students. No matter what, I can ALWAYS find something positive to say to them that is genuine.
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Rachelle, you ARE a good writer! x
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I want you for my agent, Debra. xo
Comment from JudyE
I really enjoyed learning about your musical education. In your first 'Lesson' you say that a skill gained under duress is still one etc etc but was it really under duress? It seemed to me that you quite enjoyed practising or at least preferred it to playing with the other children. Perhaps that qualifies as duress.
foreboding livingroom, - should 'livingroom' be two words?
You'll be taking from her - did you mean 'taking lessons from her'?
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The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.
reply by the author on 17-Mar-2019
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I really enjoyed learning about your musical education. In your first 'Lesson' you say that a skill gained under duress is still one etc etc but was it really under duress? It seemed to me that you quite enjoyed practising or at least preferred it to playing with the other children. Perhaps that qualifies as duress.
foreboding livingroom, - should 'livingroom' be two words?
You'll be taking from her - did you mean 'taking lessons from her'?
This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.
Comment Written 17-Mar-2019
reply by the author on 17-Mar-2019
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Thank you, Miss Eagle Eye!! Once again, you've helped me polish my work. I so appreciate it when you do this, but my goal is to improve so much here on FanStory that you no longer have to!! But in the meantime, you have my gratitude.
And, yes, the 'duress' was that I wasn't at the mercy of the scowly-faced yeller of a sitter or the kids I didn't know or particularly relate to.
xo