When I was around 7 or 8 my mum started having piano lessons as it was something she had always wanted to do. We had just inherited a piano from a family friend so it seemed like the right time I guess. Her lessons though were replaced by lessons for my brothers and I as we had shown an interest in learning by messing about on the keys.
We started having lessons with a local teacher, Joan Miller, who I'm sure I'll cover in a separate post so I'll leave that for another day.
My mum would always encourage us to play but wasn't pushy. There were a few times when I wasn't practising that I would be told that my lessons would stop but I'd do the same now being a parent!
When I was 10 or 11 I decided to perform a charity concert in my house with a school friend who played keyboard. My mum helped organise everything and supported us through our performances. After this I noticed that when I played the piano my mum would probably be somewhere in the room listening in. This became more apparent as I started to compose and make up my own music. Even now, if I'm playing the piano at her house she will often come and sit and listen in.
When I first started to teach piano and when I owned a music school she was the one to suggest the idea as I was both lazy and not particularly confident in my ability and needed pushing! She has also been telling me to release music and perform for years which I have held off on. It's only taken the best part of 2 decades to make the leap of faith so thanks for the nagging mum!
If it wasn't for my mum, I wouldn't be playing piano and composing, I'm almost certain of it. I have her to thank for forfeiting her lessons so I could take up my art. I have her to thank for guiding me towards my musical career and choices along the way. We don't share many of the same musical tastes but I know she likes the music I make and let's me know what she thinks of new pieces when I play them to her.
Thanks Mum for all your hard work and care. I couldn't have done it without you.