Today I paid a visit to my son's classroom, where they are preparing for the big "Kinderconcert" field trip tomorrow at Orchestra hall. I brought in the 12-string and gave a small presentation to a captive audience of 4 and 5-year-olds.
I played "Twinkle Twinkle" on the low strings, then on the high. And then on both finishing with a flourish (basically just an open E chord but it seemed to impress them). Then we all sang together while I played.
We talked about how different instruments work together to make music sound better and I answered questions like if it's harder to play 12 strings, what the tuning pegs do, etc.
I told them that music is for everyone, and that anybody can learn to play an instrument - It just takes practice.
At the end they all clapped and practiced the two new words they learned this week - "Bravo!" , "Encore!" You can laugh at me if you want but that is the only time I have heard those words spoken aloud while I had a guitar strapped to me.
My son capped it all off with "Thanks for coming! See you tomorrow!"
He better hope that I come back before then.
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Terry! Tomorrow at my son's daycare - to celebrate the Week of the Young Child - I have the 10:30 to 11 a.m. music slot. At the teacher's request, I will be toting my Stratocaster and the practice amp with cheesy on-board digital effects. I will be helping the kids through the Hokey Pokey, If You're Happy and You Know It, and the Eric and Sons original "Big Dog, Little Dog."
ReplyDeleteI got off easy. The Mrs. has the 11 to 11:15 slot and will be leading the kids in "The Chicken Dance" among others!
Good for you - cool post!
Hey Eric -
ReplyDeleteThanks, it was fun. The Friday kinderconcert was a blast too. The class got to sit right up on the stage and see a partial orchestra ensemble play some songs, including Flight of the bumblebee. Lucky ducks. I was stuck back in the 10th row. I love cellos. But anyways.
Hey thanks for commenting -
It's always interesting to hear how our lives parallel.
Hey Terry
ReplyDeleteI got to read to my kids pre-school class... well, just to the ones that picked the 'reading corner' for their free time activity.
I wish I could have seen you play for the kids. Maybe you should go back to school to be a music teacher!