I just wanted to tell you this story.

Yesterday I went to support my 10 year student as he was doing his grade 3 theory exam. He's still quite young, just turnt 10 but nonetheless ready. He had distinctions from grades 1 and 2, and was consistently getting merits in past grade 3 theory papers.

I turnt up at 4:40 waiting for them. They turnt up well in good time. He smiled seeing me there, asked how he was. He said fine. Wished him good luck, said I didn't wanna see him for at least an hour!

Sat and talked with mum. She said he was a little nervous at home, got the jitters apparently and just wanted to get it over with. She said how he was preparing and that was when she went in her bag and pulled out about 100+ flash cards. They all had the dreaded italian words, and key signatures with the names of the keys at the back and they had been the park earlier going through them. This mum had done all these flash cards. She also said on the way to school she'll say "let's walk allegro" or "let's walk andante", or "we've got time let's walk lento", and I was so gobsmacked. I couldn't believe this active role that this parent was taking. I wrote a list of things he had to know off by heart and she ensured he did.

Predictably, this 10 year old boy came out confident, didn't see him for an hour and 10 minutes and he said he checked it like 12 times. I was so proud.

I've had parents who simply bring their children, pay and thats their role. I've heard parents say I make sure he sits at his keyboard for 15 mins a day. But this parent went well out of her way. I just wish my parents had taken a more active role like that! He is incredibly lucky to have a mum like that!

This parent always knows the names of the pieces he's playing. All my parents know is that beethoven and mozart were composers, and assume every single piece i've ever played was written by either one of them......

This sounds great and well done to you too for your support of your pupil. It takes dedication to turn up at a theory exam in support.

I hope his Mum keeps in the right place and doesn't start to "push" her son too hard, too soon. Otherwise, sounds marvellous.

Hope he passes!

What a lovely story Jen. My mother did similar things using Italian terms in everyday life. I wouldn't have even realised I was learning - I just thought we were playing a game!

And to echo oboist's comments, your pupil is very lucky to have both a supportive mother and a supportive teacher. Well done for turning up to offer your encouragement. I'm sure with this support your pupil will go a long way!

That's fantastic! What fun it must be too when saying 'Let's walk Allegro'! How lovely.

Long may it continue.... Mums like that have a habit of turning into nightmares if they don't know when to let go - I'm referring to the teenage years when things might not go so well with the child's progress and it has been known for them to go into denial and blame the teacher. Still, we should enjoy the present without anticipating too many problems in the future, when they might never arise. Better that extreme than the other when no interest is taken, apart from the business of paying and getting to and from lessons.

Viva allegro-walking mums!!

LR

Every time I start playing a piece when my Gran is over, she asks "Oh - is that Clair de Lune?" Unfortunately it never is, but she seems to enjoy the music regardless!

This week I have decided to actually learn "Clair de Lune" so next time she asks the question I can say "Yes it is!" Then she'll feel all pleased!

My mum didn't produce flash cards, (great idea though!) but just played to me all the time, and bought duets for us to practise together. She had got to grade 5 years ago, and gradually it got to the stage where I was helping her learn her part rather than the other way around - lots of fun and we still play them all the time

My mum played every night after us girls went to bed. It was lovely going to sleep to the sound of her practice

And every birthday (both hers & mine) would include a gift voucher to the big music store in the city. It was always the best part of my birthday!!

Same with my Dad...to this day I keep discovering how much piano repetoire I know from dancing around while he played, or listening while falling asleep in bed. Nice memories!