Caleb gave his first public piano concert today. We went to the Children's Museum and Caleb loves to play the piano that is by the stage. Today he was there playing some of his favorites--Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star, The Hairbrush Song (Veggietales), What's this Button for? (Wiggles), Follow the Prophet, etc... One of the ladies that works there got on her walkie talkie and made the people working in the office come down and listen to "this three yr. old prodigy" (her words). They did. He played. They clapped. They all asked me who he takes lessons from. He doesn't. Did I teach him? Nope. He picks out these songs himself. Are all autistic kids this musical? Nope. It really is amazing. Sure is.
If I hadn't been a piano teacher for so long, I don't think I would have realized how truly amazing he is. He's really improved in just the past month. Carl and I aren't really ready to have him take lessons. We want him to have fun with it right now and I seriously doubt he would get much out of them. He still won't answer even basic questions. I did email a lady that teaches the Suzuki method to see what she suggested. If she says that he should start, I think Caleb is going to take lessons.
Friday, August 25, 2006
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I took Suzuki piano until I was about 12. . .(I know they start kids learning the violin by age 2 or 3 too) it would be great for him. . .it's exactly how he learns it, just from memorization. Hmm. I could even teach him all the fun words to go with the songs. . .
ReplyDeleteGo tell Aunt Roady, go tell Aunt Roady, go tell Aunt Roady, the old grey goose is dead.
Or my favorite. . .The ha. . .ppy fa. . .rmer went to feed his ducks. . .they said quack, quack, he said Hi back, oh, what a day!!
You could ask Sister Wilson from church about it. . .she was my teacher way back then!!
As a former suzuki violin child I have to warn you that suzuki kids are notoriously lacking in musical sensitivity. We can't read music and we play like robots. Maybe the piano players are different. Caleb is awesome. I'm glad others recognize his superiority.
ReplyDeleteThat last one was from me.
ReplyDeleteCatherine
Go, Caleb!!
ReplyDeleteAmen to anon (Catherine's) note about music sensitivity. I HATE that I can't sit down and read a sheet of music. If I know the song I just plunk it out until I know it sounds right. I actually am thinking of taking piano lessons again to retrain my brain.
ReplyDeleteI can however usually start and sing a song right on pitch, and can tell when others are off. . .it drives me crazy!