In July of this year (weeks after turning 4), Addie started cello lessons. She was nearly bursting with excitement when we went to get her her very own cello. She would finally be a big girl like her sister, who plays the violin! We drove up to an instrument rental company in a neighboring little town to see if they could measure her and if they had a cello we could rent, and we were in luck!
Addie was so excited to have her new cello. In fact, in the case she casually slung her arm around the case and announced, "this is my boyfriend, and his name is Zig Zag Lightning", which elicited howling laughter from the staff of the music store. One thing Adelaide is not, is shy.
So, we've been doing lessons now for three months, and Addie is showing a lot of promise. At about the same time, she has really started showing some piano talent too. Both of the kids are super into practicing, and the only motivation necessary to provoke them past feeling lazy is to remind them that they want to be prepared for their teachers, who they both adore.
It's a lot of work to be a Suzuki parent x 2 kids, but I can see the benefit of this style of learning, even at this age. Train the ear, and the reading will follow. Addie's piano reading has gotten better because of her aural learning on cello. We practice 6 nights a week, typically, and it is just part of our evening routine. That's what we do between bath and a show/bedtime. Addie has learned to responsibly handle her "boyfriend" and likes to be in charge of opening the case, adjusting the end pin, and rosining her bow.
Two weeks ago, Addie had her first music recital (voila, see below!!)! She did the first ever thing she learned-a little song made up to help the children remember the names of each of their strings. She has another recital on November 10, where she will play another plucking piece, then a real studio recital on the stage at the end of November.
At her first recital she was so nervous! But she did just fine. I almost cried the whole time, I was so proud and she was so sweet.
