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A friend recently asked about the wisdom of introducing her young child to formal music instruction. I was quiet on the subject, because all my children had been slightly older when they started, and because I myself have never learned to read music or play any instrument, and perhaps because I have too many memories.
I know enough to understand that every child feels discouraged at some stage in the process of learning to play an instrument; and that many quit, and as adults come to regret the lost skills. I know that some love to play but hate to perform; while others yearn for the spotlight, but refuse to practice.
I know how it feels to be peeling vegetables in the kitchen and to hear someone, somewhere in the house start to play one of my favourite songs, on the guitar, or the piano, and maybe someone else join in on drums. I know how this photograph of a small child playing an instrument, makes me feel better about humanity; our mistakes, all our rage, selfishness, brutality. It takes effort to learn, it takes patience to teach, it is beautiful to play.
Blog photograph copyrighted to the photographer and used with permission by utata.org. All photographs used on utata.org are stored on flickr.com and are obtained via the flickr API. Text is copyrighted to the author, Rachel Irving and is used with permission by utata.org. Please see Show and Share Your Work
