Hart thought for nearly a full minute and finally sat down and played a lilting folk tune with his right hand only. I realized I had a true beginner in Hart, but one with intelligence and with the makings of a good ear. I recall my own teachers having an aversion to parents. My first serious teacher, M.F., would shoo my mother away after a terse greeting, close the door and only then begin to smile and talk music. I was polite to Hart's mother and father and even took a liking to them.
Parents have no to little role in the lesson itself.
I showed Hart a good hand position and had him play a small five note exercise with the weight of the hand helping his tiny fingers to depress the keys. I gave him his own book of staff paper and asked him to copy several G clefs and F clefs, notes and musical symbols. We progressed to intervals and the identification in sound of 3rds, 6ths, 4ths, 5ths and octaves. This wasn't a snap for Hart, but he seemed like a child who could learn anything. I can't wait to have him write me a melody next week, start to learn a piece or two from an elementary book and continue ear training.