On learning to play the piano

An open letter to June on the value of creating

Dear June,

In the course of our disagreements about practicing piano, you have often asked me why you need to learn to play the piano at all. I have tried to give thoughtful answers in the moment, in the fluster of afterschool snacks or through the hot tears of frustration (yours or mine). These are not ideal circumstances, though, and at my core I am a writer: I express myself best on the page, with time to collect and organize my thoughts. It’s often how I find my way to sense. (I suspect you may be growing in this direction, too; I think you understand.) So here, my dear girl, as best as I can gather, is why your parents want you to learn to play the piano.

First, we want you to learn to read music, to understand the undulation of timing and tone. Just like acquiring any new language, learning to read the notes on a staff opens up worlds of possibility — it’s a type of fluency that can add a lot of joy and value to your life. Whether in the future you want to sing with a chorus, play the cello, or simply follow along in a hymnal at a memorial service, we want to equip you with the skills to participate fully.