When COVID began, piano tuners and technicians across the world had more business than they could handle.
Why, you ask?
Because when piano teachers went online, they saw the condition of their students' pianos for the first time. Everything from the piano that hadn't been tuned in seven years to the 61-key discount keyboard.
It was an enlightening experience for all of us. But one that highlights the challenge of the piano teacher.
So much of what we do hinges on activities in lessons being replicated at home. We don't see most of the work that goes into students building their skills.
We try to understand what happened at home from the student's self-evaluation at the next lesson.
Actually, we obsess over it...
But even at our best, it's easy for us to take some things for granted.
To assume students understand something they might not.
Or presume the instrument at home is in good condition.
But that's also part of the joy of being a piano teacher. To not only give instruction, but to give students the opportunity to explore it in their own space.
The opportunity to learn and grow through their own experiences, with our gentle guidance once a week.
Sometimes, the things we don't see will be some of the most miraculous things our students experience in music.
And if we occasionally deal with an out-of-tune piano or a bad practice week, that's okay. That's life.
And a fun story to tell for the next few decades.