Monday, January 31, 2011

money changer

music lessons aren't cheap & neither are concert tickets. that's probably why music teachers can charge a premium & there will still be a queue for their services.

















the boy started learning cello a few months back & he seems to enjoy himself with the lessons & his new-found talent (i use this term this loosely). as each session lasts only 30 mins, i usually send him & then wait for him to finish. then i pay the teacher, as & when he has the lesson. 

i just started to joke with him.

me: you know, your teacher is like a money changer

him: how come?

me : every time i give her some money, she changes a smaller note for me.

22 comments:

Yvonne Foong said...

awww... not sure if the boy will like it if he understands your joke. but cannot think like that. the value lies in your son learning a new skill which might go a long way in shaping his brain development.

Unicorn Girl said...

did he understand your joke ? got to agree with you on that about money changer - smaller note and lesser amount ;(

Anonymous said...

Music teachers make good money. At least that was what I learned about my piano teacher. DFP does feature music performances at reasonable prices (below RM50). You can keep a lookout via their website. I attended 3 concerts at the DFP last year.

Reanaclaire said...

As long as he is happy and enjoying this music passion, a smaller change of note is worth it!

iml said...

They might be the money changer, but you, the parent, is the wise investor.

Medie007 said...

nice pic. :)

wish i learnt some musical instruments when I was younger... but then... we were poor...

FilipBlog said...

Keep on playing, you started young so you learn fast, be the best. Good teachers are valuable from the beginning. Go to the best when your kid has talent.

doc said...

Yvonne,

i said it tongue-in-cheek but one day, i hope it clicks in his mind that these lessons cost hard-earned money & he will make the best of the opportunites that were not available to me.

doc said...

UG,

no, i don't think he understood it but i reckoned it was a humourous take on this transaction.

if he grew up to be a music teacher, i would be well pleased!

doc said...

MT,

i've been several times to the MPO, usually the family fun days, but not recently.

when the boy is older, maybe we'll get the season tickets.

doc said...

Claire,

the lesson is only half the fun; he gets to play with the other kids after that.

doc said...

Iml,

now, i've never seen it this way but yes, that sounds really nice. wise investor....hmm.

doc said...

Medie,

kids these days have so many opportunities to learn new skills that their parents were deprived of. if they only realise this...!

doc said...

Filip,

thanks for your encouragement!!

Yvonne Foong said...

If he comes a music teacher, a reknown teacher, you will have your retirement!

doc said...

Yvonne,

seriously, i would be well pleased if he became a music teacher, but my retirement will certainly not depend on his career. i can only support him till varsity; after that, he's on his own.

doc said...

LX,

are you referring to the boy, the cello or the money exchange?

Yvonne Foong said...

If he becomes so famous that he goes on concert tours and take you along, you will be travelling in your retirement!

Yvonne Foong said...

Reminds me of my childhood friend. The eldest daughter decided against pursuing a full cert music diploma in college (a music diploma or degree with a lot of textbook lessons) but chose to continue taking ABRSM exams at diploma and degree level. Meaning, she chose to focus on honing her practical skills on the piano and violin, without a full cert college degree. She is now teaching music to children in her family house. They even renovated the ground floor, creating a studio room to fit a grand piano.

Interesting to see how the children of my generation have grown up to their diverse and individualistic adult lives.

Another friend who used to sing in the choir with me went to UM and obtained a full cert music diploma and now owns her own music school in Kota Damansara. She's from Ipoh. She is a Christian and teaches music as service to God and humanity.

Jo said...

Gosh! Tell me about it. I have one, two, THREE music lessons to pay for every month. The boy, at least, enjoys his guitar lessons, and practice at every available opportunity. Whereas, the girls with their piano... *shakes head*

doc said...

Yvonne,

it would make any parent proud to have complimentary seats at their kids' concert.

your friend who teaches music in God's service deserves much praise. after all, our talents are all God-given.

doc said...

Jo,

you can already tell which of your children has the passion for music!! & i know mine as well.