Getting to Know the Music Room

The Music Room is a constantly evolving space-- pictures, awards, ideas, and instruments are added on a regular basis. Some of the instruments we have on display are a xylophone (a gift from a former co-worker), trumpet (Mr. Tallamy plays for us during the holidays), clarinet, guitar, didgeridoo (carried over from Australia), feadog (purchased in County Clare, Ireland), accordion (yardsale in the Northern Neck), Chilean charango (a gift from the Janicki Family), Peruvian ocarina (a gift from the Grinnell Family), bongos, conga and most recently a student violin. These instruments are mostly for display and are not taught here. But I enjoy looking at them and imagining someday...

Henry is the Star of the Show.

He's a 7 year old walnut cased 5'4" baby grand piano. Henry sees alot of playing time-- up to 25 hours per week and is lovingly cared for every 4-6 months by my tuner, Tony Frame. Henry's story is a bit of a sorted one-- he's a Cristofori and considered a "starter" grand. He does have some weaknesses-- mostly in his hammers and key action if left untuned for too long. But he also has some solid strengths, such as his upper tones are warmer than other models in his class. We waited a good ten years for him, and he was the inspiration for Little Ears Studio. Half the main floor is dedicated to his presence (and was in fact left empty in the years before his arrival). 

In the same vein-- Students are taught to recognize the personality of their at home instrument and are encouraged to name it. Like people, instruments have strengths and weaknesses. We begin to learn our instrument-- it's capabilities and limitations. We experience many of the same relational emotions with our instruments that we do with friends-- frustration, irritation, joy, happiness, sadness. Establishing a sense of relationship with the instrument and engaging a student's established social skills early on can help a student through the challenges of music study. (For instance-- I am really frustrated with Henry today! Maybe if we take a break and calm down, tomorrow we'll get along better.)

I know. Cooky in some ways. But it works. ;)