Music (and Life!) Lessons with Mom: Music Moms, Part Two

In continued anticipation of Mother’s Day, I want to introduce you more thoroughly to my own mother and to some of the things she taught me, both through music and away from music. This Mother’s Day is an especially big day for her because it also happens to be her birthday and she is turning 60 years old!  I would like to invite all of my blog readers to participate in this post by adding thoughts about your own mothers (whether or not she is a Music Mom!).  And, Moms, I’d love to hear from you too about being a mother and what you want most for your children.  So, please, comment freely.  I look forward to reading your contributions!

My mother was my first music teacher.  I studied piano with her for twelve years, and I was so lucky to do so.  She is methodical, gently demanding, and supportive.  She has high musical standards, but one of the things I think she cares most about is helping students to find the joy in making music, and in the process of working towards something that is demanding.  Focus and work are important, but they are balanced by lightness, fun, and a sense of adventure and pleasure.  I’ve learned so much from her, not only by being her daughter and student, but by watching her in action with others as well.

Here are just a few of the things that she impressed upon me and that I know are important to her because she (and my dad!) lived these principles every day.

– Do your best, always.  Your best effort is all that is expected, but it is always expected!

– Pay attention to your daily habits – they add up to form your life.

– Goals are good.  Have a plan and follow it.  Work little by little towards your goals and recognize your progress each step of the way.  Cleaning a room starts with picking up one piece of crumpled clothing, or organizing a corner of a desk.  Getting ready to play ten pieces memorized for a judge starts with learning a page of music – slowly and well!  There was a children’s song we knew: “Little by little, inch by inch, by the yard it’s hard, by the inch what a cinch! Never stare up the stairs, just step up the steps.  Little by little, inch by inch!”

– Success is not defined by outer rewards, public recognition, and money.  It is your spirit – who you are – that matters the most.  Your talents, resources, and any recognition that may come are gifts meant to be used for good.

By her own example, she also taught me (and continues to teach me) how never to make decisions based in fear, but to live out of love – to trust and to be open and brave.

Thank you, Mom, for showing me how to nurture my spirit and how to be a good steward of my talents!

I look forward to any stories and thoughts you care to share about your mothers and about being a mother.  Happy Mother’s Day!