Did I shine my shoes today? Yes I shined my shoes today!

Have you heard that one yet? I learned that while I was in college for the first time under Dr. Robinson. He used that saying (the title, of course) to help the choir bow in unison. Go ahead - try it. But be rhythmic about it - at a nice even pace. As you bow down you say - "Did I shine my shoes today?" Then as you rise back up you say, "Yes I shined my shoes today." Of course you don't want this said out-loud, but like one of those mental devices you silently recite when you need to remember something.

My subject today, however, is not about bowing or my collegiate choir. It's actually about one the most vile and cursed things your piano teacher can do to you...yes, boys and girls...the piano recital.

The piano recital is only a small part of the lifelong study of the piano. You usually spend most of your time practicing (ha ha), going to lessons, and finding creative ways to divert the teacher during the piano lessons.

If you have ever taken lessons you have inevitably gone through the joy (or agony) of performing in a piano recital. So what is it about the recital that sends us into cold sweats and sleepless nights? I have actually had dreams where I arrive at the recital and sit down at the piano only to discover that I have no idea what I'm supposed to play.

There are three perspectives of the piano recital. The first is the perspective of the student or the performer. The student has worked on their recital pieces for probably a lot longer than they bargained for. In most cases the piece is memorized and you can imagine the music in your head as you play it. You know which sections you don't like, which you do, and which sections you think the composer should have left out..."yes, Mr Beethoven. I think that you should not have written these runs. What were you thinking!?! Oh, and by the way, the third movement of the 'Moonlight Sonata' - really?"

Once you finally get to the recital you sit through your fellow peers and their pieces while everything within you desires to run hysterically from the room and out of the building. But it's not so bad once you sit down at the piano. You know this stuff! And it will be over much faster than you realize.

The parent's perspective is often mixed. You are probably just as nervous as your child. You know how hard they've worked and you either completely DESPISE the piece they are playing or wish they would play it daily, and you'll probably request it at your funeral... You sit their proudly as they walk up to the instrument - which in the case of many beginners is comically larger than they are. As they play you know the sections that they have worked hard on, and you silently pray for their success. I love listening to parents sigh as their student passes those challenging sections. The bottom line is that your money, weekly trips to the teacher's studio, and time keeping your prodigy practicing was well worth getting to hear them play.

As a teacher I have to admit that the perspective on this side of the fence is wonderful. Having endured days and days of lessons, you get to watch the students come all dressed up and anxious for their few minutes of fame. This is where the title of the todays blog comes into play. As performers you desire your students to be able to identify their pieces, speak to the audience for a moment, and bow at the end. Of course in the heat of the moment, the student forgets everything other than their piece. If the piano weren't directly in front of them, they would likely leave the room in search for it.

The teacher's perspective is one of an educational one. You learn new ways to teach when you finally have the chance to see your student the way others see them. And you are excited! You are proud of their accomplishments and proud that they had the courage to play their piece for other people.

And next time you decide that you will begin working on announcing their pieces and bowing a lot earlier. Like their next lesson. Yes. "OK Bobby. You did a good job at your lesson today. Now, please, before you leave I need you to bow. Remember what I taught you?"

"Why yes, Mr. Piano teacher." And he says out-loud "Did I shine my shoes today? Yes I shined my shoes today."

And you sigh.