He's a squirrely, can't-sit-still kinda guy. He's constantly moving. Always. And sometimes those words can be synonymous with not listening.
So when he told me his latest desire was to learn to play violin, I requested he first show the attention span required to learn to read music. I figured I was buying myself some time before I had to buy an instrument we don't currently own.
Ok then, he said. Teach me to read music.
Although I admired his zest, I honestly figured he'd lose interest (and the ability to concentrate) after about 45 seconds.
Well then.
This child who has squirreled and bounced and spun and flitted from thing to thing...sat. And listened. No, not just listened. Soaked in every single word I said.
We talked about time signatures and measures and treble clefs and EGBDF and quarter notes and FACE and middle C and half rests and all sorts of gorgeous muscial things. We wrote notes on some of the keys on our keyboard and left others alone. After that I thought I'd get tricky.
I'm going to write a staff and some notes on the dry erase board, I said. It's going to be a familiar song, but I'm not going to tell you the name. Whenever you can figure out the notes, you'll eventually "hear" what song it is.
I wrote down a line of music. He looked at it, played it through once s-l-o-w-l-y. Then he played it through once quickly, like he'd always known what it was.
Mom! he said. That's Mary Had a Little Lamb!
Seriously? You can read that? That...quickly?
I erased those notes and scribbled out some new ones.
Same thing. Once through slowly, then again quickly.
Mom! That's 'Are You Sleeping'!
Yes. Excitement! Erase the notes. Write something new. Try again.
Mom! That's 'Twinkle Twinkle Little Star'!
Um...seriously? Where have you been hiding this? And why...for the last hour...have you been sitting completely still and concentrating like your life depended on it?
I think its important for everyone to find that "thing" that feeds them. That "thing" that makes you forget time and place. That interesting "thing" that you don't just only want to do, but feel as though you need to do to be who you are.
I think for my youngest Hmmmschooler, music may just be that "thing".
That is so cool! Congratulations to your son and you! What a special day it is to have a child awaken a passion or new interest. It sounds like you are going to be able to share a passion of yours, too!
ReplyDeleteSo are you going to buy that violin? (-:
I love this story! Isn't it amazing when you find the Thing? When you see something that fits just right and brings them joy? I love that I get to be with my kids when they discover that Thing (or one of the many Things that resonate inside them like a tuning fork). How beautiful that you were sitting there seeing this light go off, being part of that light. Yum.
ReplyDeleteI'll be interested to see how the violin goes for your boy. My girl was really keen, so we rented one and enrolled in lessons for the term. In the end it didn't fit, 'cos for my girl the instrument was kind of hard, physically, to play. You know, hold it under your chin here, keep your wrist bent here, move your hand like so, so that the bow stays straight, plus read the music plus put your fingers here and here and here. Too much! she said. But she did see the term out, saw herself improve, and was proud of herself for that.
So now, we're doing piano, and she LOVES it. This is the right fit, after trying flute, guitar, and violin. I've actually loved having her try one instrument after another, to find the right one. It felt like we were on a journey, together and open to all possibilities, to find the Thing :) And I think we found it!
Sorry for this long ramble! You got me all inspired! I can't wait to see what happens next :)
What a wonderful experience for both of you! Happy violin shopping. :)
ReplyDeleteWow! Who would have thought!?! That's so awesome, girlfriend. I can't wait for the recital. :-)
ReplyDelete