I reviewed some personal journals this evening and found some gems that I thought would be fun to share. These entries were from when I was 14 years old, a freshman in high school. They are just some example of a piano student’s life: parent’s influence, recitals (the good and the bad), collaborating with siblings, and my very first piano students.

Age 14

Mom has been encouraging me to keep up with my practicing so, she cut out 43 red quarter notes out of construction paper and pinned them to my bedroom curtains. In order to get them taken off, I have to practice 1 hour a day for 43 consecutive days! I started for the 2nd time today. If I miss a day, even the 42nd day, then all the notes have to go back on my curtains. It’s quite a bit of work but I’ll be glad when they’re down!.

I went to bed quite late last night and woke up at about 5:10 a.m. It doesn’t seem very hard for me to wake up that early now. I guess because I know that if I don’t, I won’t be able to practice as much. I am finding it very hard to practice a full hour, but I guess that 45 minutes is a lot better than nothing.

Then tonight was our piano recital. I did just terrible. My piece wasn’t very secure on memory and it really showed when I played it. But mom said that she didn’t think anyone else noticed. I hope not. I won the memory contest for grades 9-12. Mrs. Buhn gave me a poster that said, “Music hath charms to soothe the savage beast.”

I had my piano lesson today. Mrs. Buhn kind of got mad at me because I hadn’t learned a piece the right way. I had better try harder I guess.

Then, right after work, I went to my piano lesson. It didn’t go too bad. I’ve learned a piece that I’m going to play at our evening for sharing. It’s really showy and I love playing it.

September 9 Mrs. Buhn has given me the opportunity to teach piano lessons and I am really excited about my new endeavor. She’s going to help me and has my first pupil.

September 10 My piano student’s mother called this afternoon. I am going to meet with her tomorrow after school. I am super excited though kind of nervous. September 11 Katherine wasn’t able to come today so she is planning on coming tomorrow.

September 12 I met my piano student today. She doesn’t know hardly anything about music so I will have to start from the very, very beginning. I am really excited!

September 15 I gave my first real piano lesson today. I thought it went really well and Kathryn seems quite excited about learning to play the piano.

December 2 Carmen and I went to Mrs. Buhn’s to work on our concertos. Carmen and I are going to give a duo piano recital. I can’t wait. It will really be fun.

January 10 Our family celebrated my birthday today. They put up streamers and balloons, we played games and had birthday cake along with the meal of haystacks that I had chosen. I received a book “How to teach piano successfully”, a velour shirt, and a letter tablet, some lifesavers and 16 kisses each from Andra and Caryn. January 11, 1981 Well, I’ve had a great birthday. It was so fun and thrilling to hear the Oregon Symphony Orchestra with Lilli Kraus and to be able to meet her personally.