My oldest son – Vilhelm – has been playing the piano from the age of 5. He is now 11. His teacher – Esther Lund Madsen – teach after the Suzuki method. After 6 years of persistent but not very hard work – maybe on average 15 minutes of practice at home 3-4 days a week plus 3o minutes lessons with Esther once a week 40 weeks a year, he skilfully plays minor pieces of Bach, Beethoven and Beatles.

It is not that I can say that Vilhelm is a great musical talent and getting him to practise does still require some degree of persuasion (and mild force) but he likes to play and I am convinced that one day he will thank me for insisting on getting through the classes.