PPP083: Learn how piano parent, Erica Hyland, incorporates the whole family in piano lessons

Why are piano lessons important to your family?

Music was always important to Erica but in the early days of parenting, she and her husband could not afford to purchase a piano. Her older son wanted to learn piano but without an instrument to practice on, he couldn’t take lessons. He was finally able to begin lessons in high school and Erica regretted that he didn’t get to start sooner. Because of that, she made sure Emily started lessons as soon as possible. Erica’s grandfather was involved with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir as director and organist.

Every child has limitations, every HUMAN has limitations. Rather than focusing on what we cannot do, it is better to build on what we can do. Emily’s dwarfism might make some physical activities more challenging but that hasn’t stopped her from enjoying life to the fullest. Studying piano is an activity that Emily can not only enjoy for herself but she can use music to enrich the lives of those around her as well.

How do you schedule practice at home?

With a busy, large family, Erica has to be a flexible mother. Trying to keep a regular and regimented schedule just would not work in their home. Erica also knows that Emily works best in a positive, encouraging environment so she doesn’t give her a time limit of practice or set a timer. Instead, she tells Emily to practice her assigned pieces a certain amount of times. This helps Emily have a specific objective to accomplish rather than watching the clock.

Piano parents, be careful to avoid making piano practice seem like a punishment. Try different things to find out what works for your piano kid. Do what causes the least amount of stress for the whole family. Piano study shouldn’t become another point of contention; it should be a “soft place to land”.

Home piano practice is a family affair for the Hylands. Emily will often FaceTime her grandmother to play her pieces and get feedback on how she’s doing. What a delightful thing to share between a grandparent and a granddaughter! When her older brother is home from college he helps her with her theory homework. Many members of the family listen to Emily practice and give her encouragement while she works.

I love this photo of Emily playing a duet with her grandmother. Look at those smiles!

What motivates your piano kid regarding piano practice?

Emily is motivated by the fact that God has blessed her with talent that she can give back to Him. She can use it to share with others. Knowing the answers in her 5th-grade music classes makes her feel pretty special too!

In the future, Emily and Erica hope she will be able to serve her church with her piano playing.

What struggles have your piano kids overcome through piano study?

As Emily’s teacher, she and I analyze each piece to figure out the best way for her fingers to play the keys. Sometimes we alter the suggested fingering in the music score. Sometimes we alter the notes or eliminate a note. This provides great discussion about which note is most important and must not be edited. I try to help her think through the physical requirements of each piece and take ownership of how she needs to adapt it to be able to play it.

With shorter legs, it is important for Emily to have a footstool to rest her feet on and give her stability as she sits on the piano bench. When she began lessons with me, I upgraded my Rubbermaid plastic footstool to a wonderful pedal extender. The pedal extender not only serves as a footrest but also allows Emily to press the damper and soft pedals. Unfortunately, I forgot to bring the pedal extender to our spring recital last year!

This is the pedal extender I didn’t bring to the recital for Emily. (I’m sorry, Emily!!)

Mountaintop Experiences through piano study –

Emily has enjoyed conquering challenging recital pieces. She not only passes the Texas Music Teachers Association theory exam every year, she earns A’s! With the physical characteristics Emily works through, Erica rightly feels that anything Emily accomplishes is a mountaintop experience.

As a mother of a child with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome, I too believe that every accomplishment of my daughter, Tracy is momentous.

Piano parent, do you have a child with physical limitations learning to play the piano? Please share your story in the comments below. We moms need to stick together!

What does success in piano mean to you?

Success in piano to me means for Emily to have a self-worth, for her to have a greater self-esteem, to know that she can be good at something that other people are good at. It gives her self-confidence. It gives her a future. It gives her the opportunity to be in the band in school and excel at it.

It provides happiness for her.

It instills a lot of good things into her cute little heart.

What advice would you give new piano parents?

Be patient.

Be kind.

Be flexible.

Offer encouragement.

If you need to …… go close the door.

Dr. Ruth Pitts is an amazing pianist and teacher from Waco, Texas. She is identified more by the positive impact she has made on her students than by her physical limitations.

Enjoy this lovely video from a concert she performed in Wichita Falls, Texas a few years ago.