Unashamedly pleased - DS and Music

[PopUpWorkshop]

Sorry, this isn't a boast but I'm really proud of my DS. It's the sort of thing that I don't want to say in real life because I'd look pushy/ show-offy etc.

My 4 year old DS passed the Prep Test for Piano when he was 3 years old, and now he's working on Grade 2 pieces. The Examiner for the Prep Test said he was gifted and I was so pleased! He's learned all the scales for Grades 1 and 2 and seems to have no problems with the Aural tests. He was bored of the Grade 1 pieces, so carried on learning for a while and now he's going for Grade 2 instead.

He's also getting ready for Grade 1 violin at the moment, although this might not be for quite a while. He also plays his little recorder and sometimes writes a few notes down, to play for himself. He has a lovely singing voice too (although I might be biased here!)

I'm so proud of him. DH and I are not musical at all, but my neighbour is a teacher, so teaches him and I do her ironing (there are five of them) and a few other domestic odds and ends every week in return for the lessons. I wouldn't have even thought of him doing lessons, but he had a go on her piano when he was not even two years old and she said he seemed to have a talent.

I'm really proud. :)

[PopUpWorkshop]

He's in Reception and sometimes plays the school piano for his class. :)

[Worriedandlost]

Well done to your DS! Why his teacher decided not to send him to grade 1 exam? My dd, in reception too, also learns piano and violin, though I am not quite sure where we are with the violin. She sits piano grade 1 in June.

[musicalfamily]

I think it is amazing when I hear children as young as 3 or 4 studying to that degree for anything!! I could never get any of my 4 children to work on anything until they were at least 5, so I am in awe when I hear children so young having the inclination or concentration on anything like learning an instrument! Well done to your DS, you must be very proud!

[pianomama]

WastedTomatoGuts - I am really intrigued as most of your posts seem to get deleted. I wonder what is is you can say to OP to get removed?

My hat off to you OP I would be very proud too in your place. That is very very impressive - I don't know any 4 year old who could do that.

And poor you - all that ironing in exchange for lessons! Hope at that rate your DS will get a scholarship somewhere when he is 6/7 so you wont have to pay at all.

I little word of warning though - don't feel you need to rush him through the grades , his hands are very little and piano requires strong trained fingers and a decent stretch. With higher grade pieces he might struggle reaching the notes and getting good sound.
Remember - he doesn't need to take all the grades , you could do say G3 or 4 or even 5 when he is 6/7 , that will give his hands a chance to grow and plenty of time to work on good sound.

[Theas18]

op that is lovely.

agree don't rush through the grades. there is no reason to do lots of exams unless there is something they are achieving . I've probably said this recently, bit as mine have got older ( and maybe I'm a bit more assertive lol) taking them off the exam treadmill, and taking grades when the time it's right send you are going to absolutely ace them seems refreshing.