The Piano Lesson

Isa Maxwell and Piano Teacher Jasmine Keolian

My son has been taking piano lesson for the past 2 1/2 years. He hates it. What he doesn't realize is how good he is at it. So I've decided that he doesn't have the option of quitting. That said, He's been working on the Blues song "A Neat Beat" for his next recital. Last night I interrupted his practice and suggested that he "Scat" while he played. He looked at me like I was crazy. I encouraged him to make the piano fun. A great way to do this is to not take it so seriously. Scatting takes the edge off and can make a song humorous.

He laughed at me at first. Then I remembered my old friend Youtube. I made my son and daughter sit down and watch. I wanted to show them the variety of scatting styles. I also pointed out how each artist used scatting as part of their signature sound. From Ella Fitzgerald, Al Jerreau, George Benson and let's not forget the great "Satchmo" Louis Armstrong.

My son really got a kick outta Satchmo. I think he finally got what I was trying to show him. When he sat down at the piano he started scatting along. He sounded just like a little Louis Armstrong. Not to mention that his playing was so much better.

God bless my little girl. She can sing her little heart out, but the the musical comedy act her brother's pushin is gonna kill 'em dead.

BTW- The image above is going to be my next painting. It will be entitled "The Piano Lesson"

NOMZEE