Imagine the metronome as a symbol of life and the piano as an object of death. Write a small essay on how these objects might be so configured. For help, see the Themes section where the opposite is argued.

Do research on the word scale, on its derivations and meanings and how those meanings might be related and how understanding the word might help in a discussion of this poem.

Attempt to tie "Music Lessons" to the history of the 1970s supplied above, or to your own research or knowledge of the seventies. While this might seem futile in illuminating Oliver's (timeless and time filled) poem, it can be done and might be further effectual for tying other objects and events to their times.