Second part of the trip in Mumbai...

The concert last Saturday was such an amazing experience, the happiness that we gained from it is still flowing up until today, although the catalan have left us on Monday night. The kids were quite tired on Friday evening during the general rehearsal, but no panick, all was handled and on the D day (big BIG Rain day in Mumbai, floods and floods), we were all relieved to see the kids participating to their fullest and leaving aside some of their previous attitudes during rehearsals.

The very small ones were still fidgety but one still sang through a very high fever, and one went on all through the songs until the last, before which, HE CAME IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STAGE to announce he needed to go to the toilet! :) The children do really make us realize how important music education is important for self-development and fulfilment!

It has been sad to have been separated from the Catalan conductors but a new part of the program starts now. I've taught many pupils and I am pleased so far. The kids are all quite enthusiastic about the piano; all present tension in their wrist (and not only the children...) I have only had one student who did not present a case of tension all along the arm up until the finger tip!

But once they understand the relaxed movement up-down-up, the use of the weight of the whole arm, the use of the wrist as a bridge to pass this weight through and the pivoting on the knuckles, they all had a relieved look on their face. Even the littlest, most fidgety child.

The sense of rhythm is generally good and the everlasting problem of "keeping going through the piece" is a long work process but the children are in general quite good readers.

I had a class this morning with 2 year-olds! And there even one girl who had just turned 1! They come with their parents who work with them in music. They admit this is a very happy time to bond with their child and one told us "this is the only thime my baby actually comes on my lap!". Once more, music joins us all in the blink of an eye. And these kids were so not bad for their age! We sang rhymes. They don't really sing but they react to tapping on their knees, touching their nose or saying "snap" in time at the end of a song! We played with shakers to show them when to play and when to stop, and impressively, two times out of four, they stopped right on. I performed a lively piece for them and they were dancing! Then during a calm and relaxing music time, they were speaking softly. It's impressive. I wonder how much they make the difference between live and tape music but it's interesting to see their reactions.

Last week, I performed with an American singer some songs by Barber to very young children and despite the character of the pieces, they remained silent, showed good attention; it was great for us to see how the eye contact with them and live music make them work differently. It's a different feel for them to have music happening directly under their eyes. I find they can work out the relation between the action and the result and the focus it entails!

I'm coming to the conclusion that yes, learning music is the most universal communication system and one of the most effective way of fulfilling oneself. Through projects like "From Barcelona to Mumbai" where teachers and conductors come from abroad and assemble 350 children to sing together and learn fast, and with the teachers of the WAM, children get motivated, they learn so much, they enjoy the experience and want to make more happen socially and internationally! As we do too!

The day after the concert, we went to visit Lonavla, where you go up the mountain to enter a temple. We didn't attempt to wait in the queue but we witnessed dancing time and music time with a funny instrument made out of 8 to 10 keys and one string! It sounds like a funky flute to me but the atmopshere is just great and the people unite through the rhythm and joy.

On the way back, we went past an elephant on the road. I just can't believe I didn't get on it! I would have loved it! Then we went past cows of course, in the city, and sheep and we could see the butchers and the animals dead on the floor right next to the road. The amazing mixture of it all in the city here shows a real contact with the environment which we often lose by tv or internet monopoly. Reminder of reality once you walk a couple of meters around. The tradition is one which includes music and colours, happiness and well-being! While doing some workshops with the kids of Godrej school (1h30 from Mumbai), they welcomed us marvellously with singing and dancing, all dressed with beautiful saris and kurtas!

I also visited an NGO "Sonrisos de Mumbai" (Smiles of Mumbai). Spanish organisation that has and continuously helps schools, teaching and curing diseases such as leprosy. The children of these school just look so happy, it's a real wonder to see the effect that we can have by helping through international languages!

I've had the chance to sit in a teacher's individual class one day here and I thank her for it. I find the most important thing for us is to not give the child time to get bored at all, which often happens unfortunately. They need to learn to think fast and a lot, (I need it too!), in a limited amount of time. And mostly importantly, they need to be taught to relax and sit propperly ALL the time.

I have been given slots to give some piano lessons to teachers here, which I'm deeply happy to do. I will also be able to sit in teachers classes to be able to help if I can and give positive criticism as much as possible and if necessary.

Juliette