In this fortnight’s Leadership Reflection, Kym Reid, Head of Co-curricular, reflects on a personal attempt to learn the piano and what it reveals about perseverance, discipline and the reality of turning ambition into action.
About 16 years ago, I decided to take on my dream of becoming a musician.
At the time, Burgmann was selling its original fleet of second-hand pianos as they were being upgraded, and they were going for a good price. Full of optimism, I bought our family its first piano. My plan was simple: I would learn to play first, then my children would follow, inspired by their dad.
I have always been in awe of musicians. Their ability to speak the language of music, transcend space and time, evoke emotion and draw admiration. Surely, I could learn too. A few lessons to get started, then I would take it from there.
The piano was the first instrument that really captured my imagination, especially when Goose and Maverick played ‘Great Balls of Fire’ in Top Gun. It did not look that hard.
So there I was, the proud owner of a second-hand black Yamaha upright piano. It looked great in the house, and I imagined that before long I would be showcasing my musical talent to the family.
“I imagined that before long I would be showcasing my musical talent to the family.”
The first month was promising. I signed up with one of the school’s music tutors and began lessons. ‘Mary Had a Little Lamb’ and a few other basic classics came together quickly. I was building foundational skills and could confidently find my way around the middle white keys.
By the fourth month, things started to fall apart. Practice slipped down the priority list, crowded out by the demands of a busy life. Progress stalled. I was stuck on the same piece, and my tutor could clearly see I had not improved.
Lessons became more like a confessional, and I knew I was wasting both our time. After six months, I stopped. I told myself it was too hard, that I did not have the right hands, that I was too busy with the kids. Excuses.
I put aside my hopes and dreams of Christmas with Kym by the piano.
“Practice and success are inseparable, but only when practice is consistent and purposeful.”
Practice and success are inseparable, but only when practice is consistent and purposeful. It is not just repetition, it is disciplined effort. Success demands perseverance, grit and commitment.
While we can all dream, we still need to do the work. It is always easier to opt out and keep dreaming.
To all our students learning an instrument or developing their voice, well done. It is not easy, and it will not happen overnight. It takes time, patience and determination, the very things I was missing.
The benefits of music education are significant. It develops deeper thinking and attentiveness, strengthens connections with others and builds social skills. Musicians are, more often than not, great team players.
For those not currently learning an instrument, now is a great time to start. You likely have more time than you think, and a brain that is developing rapidly and responds to challenge and practice. Learning an instrument can also be a welcome break from screens. Why watch someone else perform when it could be you?
Our school offers outstanding music tutors who will support, motivate and challenge you. We also have a range of co-curricular ensembles and groups that provide opportunities to practise, perform and improve.
While I did not succeed in learning the piano all those years ago, I have not given up on the idea. Failure teaches us a great deal if we are willing to reflect, and I now have a clearer understanding of what it will take.
In the meantime, I take great pride in watching my eldest daughter play that very same second-hand black Yamaha piano. Perhaps that dream didn’t disappear, it simply found a different path.