“ that’s the underlying force that sustains them through periods where they need to rally through a difficult time in their life,” McPherson says. Those with obsessive passion feels the activity controls them, which can lead to stress and burnout. They are also better at persisting and overcoming obstacles and failure. Those who have harmonious passion do something because they want to do it. He’s identified two types of passion, harmonious passion and obsessive passion. That will keep the passion alive, which, according to McPherson is one of the most important things. He recommends allowing children, with the guidance of their teachers, to choose the music they want to play. McPherson says having a teacher they can relate to and work well with helps giving children confidence that they are mastering their skill and a sense of autonomy are also important. McPherson says this is the exception to the rule.Ĭhildren need to feel like they are in control of their musical learning. One pianist, who later became world famous, was told to jump out a window by his father when at the age of 10 he failed to gain entry to a top music school. The stereotype is that parents of prodigies can be overbearing. It’s natural to protect children and parents are likely to steer their children into other hobbies they feel they might be better at, but McPherson says perseverance is the key for both parents and children. “So in a sense they were giving up on the child’s progress before the child felt the same way.” “What we found is that very early on the parents were making assumptions whether their child had it or didn’t,” he says. He found parents decided within the first four or five months if their child had any talent. In his research, McPherson studied parents’ encouragement of children who were just starting to learn music. Those, combined with environmental factors, including encouragement from parents and teachers can do a lot.īut McPherson says many parents make snap judgments about their child’s ability before the child has even made up their own mind about music. They need the speed, balance and endurance to perform the intricate movements that complex music requires. I think it’s a parallel to music.”īeing pitch perfect, and having perfect physical dexterity are also two important factors for prodigies. “Some people are good at learning a second language.
“A true prodigy love for music and consumed by it… and is learning vast amounts of repertoire before the age of 10,” McPherson says. They need, according to McPherson, an underlying love of music, the natural ability to learn and memorise music, and the right environmental factors.Ī child could have all the natural talent in the world but if they aren’t being supported, or receiving the right coaching, their love of music might die. We encourage you to share your own memories and stories about us.Pianist Lang Lang at Carnegie Hall Photo: Richard TermineĪll the “stars must align” just right for a prodigy to blossom. The joy hes able to bring others through music is something that gets him through these long hospital stays, his dad said.Īs part of our year-long anniversary celebration, well be telling the story of Akron Childrens through the eyes of past and present employees, doctors, donors, volunteers and patient families. He often practices with his door open so others on the cancer unit can enjoy the soothing classical music of Mozart and Beethoven. Music therapist Sarah Gaither also makes sure James always has a keyboard handy in his room during his chemo. Occupational therapist Giovanna DiFranco is helping him do that with exercises that improve his fine motor skills. 1 goal is to regain the strength and endurance to play the piano like he used to. James’ occupational therapist uses exercises designed to help him regain his strength and endurance for playing music.Īs James approaches his 14th birthday on April 17, his No. Now with the tumor removed and his successful chemotherapy, Dr. More often, its something like Taylor Swift or One Direction. James was the first kid who ever chose Bach, Dr. Garrison then asked James the question he asks all his patients right before surgery: What music do you want to listen to during your surgery? I wanted everyone to step back and realize how important our job is, and how lucky we are to help kids like James, he said.ĭr. Garrison and the entire OR team watched a YouTube video of James performing. Once chemotherapy shrunk his tumor down enough, Akron Childrens pediatric surgeon Aaron Garrison removed it.
He had trouble feeling the piano keys and pushing the pedal with the vigor with which he was accustomed. During chemo, James leaves his door open while he practices, much to the delight of staff and other patient families.Within weeks of starting cancer treatment, James began experiencing numbness in his fingertips and weakness in his ankles, a common side effect of chemo.
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