I was nearing the end of my last lesson last night and was struggling to motivate a 15 year old boy who is so laid back about everything that I could shake him (!!) when the lesson was completely changed by the fact that his mum called by to pay me and sat in for the last 5 minutes of the lesson.

I told her how we'd been working on his pieces for our forthcoming concert and that I'd had to make him work really hard, as not too much practice had been done at home. I suggested we try to play the duet for her that we'd been working on (although it wasn't really ready to be heard) and - lo and behold! - he did really well and she was delighted. He left with a big smile on his face and I heard his mum praising him as they left. Isn't it amazing how something can turn things around so unexpectedly?

Good! There's nothing like the adrenalin caused by having to perform to an audience - even if it's only a mum!

Oh...I thought maybe they'd presented you with a cake at the end of the lesson or something....I'd have found that quite surprising.

Well done though! It's funny how sometimes the pressure of a performance ( no matter who to) can really focus a student and make them 'raise their game'.

Let's hope it inspires him to practice throughout the week (and not think its easy I don't have to practice now)

I would have liked a cake as well - especially if it was a chocolate one! That really would have been the perfect end to my day!!