Last Friday at the United Palace, David Wiley’s cello students had been rehearsing for nearly an hour. It was just before 4:30 and the session was only halfway through, but the students took a few minutes to offer some thoughts about learning music:
You’ve all come a long way in a short time. Is it as easy as you make it look?
Wagner: In my opinion, the hardest part is learning where to put your fingers.
Valys: Sightreading is tough, but you learn to play the notes, and then it’s like just like reading.
What are you looking forward to learning this semester?
Jackson: I want to learn more advanced songs and I really want to learn 4th position.
Valys: Slurs!
Gabriela: I want to learn how to play 16th notes!
Of all the subjects to learn, why choose music?
Paul: Music is just … part of life. I think everyone likes it.
Valys: It’s entertaining to people, too.
Gabriela: Yea, music calms people down. It soothes them. It’s relaxing.
Jackson: I think that music helps us to express our emotions. And we hear other people’s feelings, too.
Leslie: Music is fun to learn. I love to play at home and I love to play for my younger sisters.
Valys: Me too. My sister loves when I teach her stuff, even though she’s older than me.
Thanks to David and the students for taking the time to talk with us!