I shared Mikey’s first clarinet video with his music teacher and he liked it so much he asked Mikey when he was going to do the next one. Mikey said he didn’t know because “that last part” was pretty embarrassing. (That last part being my “I love you” to him.) He said he would gladly do one weekly if I kept the mom-stuff out of it. No “I love you,” “sweetheart,” or other terms of endearments allowed, and he retained the right to delete it if he thought he looked “too baby.”
Oh, 9 year olds. You are so very, very cute.
The thing I love most about Mikey is that he is the little engine that could. When he messes up–and he does so in this video repeatedly–he barely flinches and then keeps going. Towards the end he gets a little embarrassed, but I have to give him a pass on that since he was trying to show everyone a trick he taught himself but at that very moment couldn’t perform. (Isn’t that just typical?)
I love that he teaches himself tricks, too. He saw his teacher do it once and has been practicing it ever since. He goes beyond what is expected of him not because it will win him brownie points, but because he is intellectually curious. The notes he learned on the recorder he has transferred to the piano, the guitar, and now the clarinet. He’s a good kid. A little mouthy and with a short-term memory when it comes to chores, but a good kid.
Oh my goodness, he’s too cute! And oh so professional on camera. I love it!
I giggled aloud at the last two seconds! I love how you were determined to get that in! ;)
Grey job, Mikey!! It sounds great! I’m really impressed with the Deck The Halls bit. :)
I love that you knew you were going to get that last part in. So cute!!
So much improvement on “Merrily…”!!! Great job!
Ha! I knew that you would throw that in. :) Awesome job!!
Oh my, I LOVE these videos, Jules!!! He really has a great ear to be able to teach himself songs without any music! I had several friends in college who were able to read music (of course) and who could also play by ear. I was soooo jealous. This is an important skill to have to play in jazz groups when you play impromptu. I just could never do it. Mikey is so talented, and I can totally see him in some jazz ensemble when he is older. :) So fun!!
Such a boss! Glad to see he’s rolling along with the clarinet so quickly!
Jules, once again, I am sharing the expereince from the long view since I have a 15 yr old, but I am so thrilled with her last year of music experience that I want to share it with you. She has taken piano since first grade and many times has wanted to quit, been terrible about practicing, constant complaining, etc. We have done many things wrong as parents (major lack of pushing the chore duty–kudos on your posting today about that!, and over enpowering her, difficult to avoid with an only child, etc.), but we drew the line with piano–she was NEVER allowed to quit. Not negotiable. In the 8th grade her music teacher put her in the jazz band on keyboards and then started her on the vibraphone (like a big xylophone with mallets) that she could play without a lesson since she could read piano music and it was transferrable. My husband bought her a $1200 vibe for christmas that she barely played, and is now an eyesore in the dining room, but it was still a good thing. When we were evaluating high school choices, we paid attention to music curriculum. She wanted public school for the band and more, we said no–all girls was another non-negotiable, for many reasons. Her all girls parochial school is musically pretty good (but nothing compared to public school music porgams and marching bands) but my ears really perked up at open house when the dir of music said the girls could play in the local all boys school marching and concert band–no credit given, but the option was there and they have loads of fun. I contacted the director of the boys school last summer, told him her background and asked if she could play something–obviously she couldn’t march with a piano! He said vibes, or similar. We told her she was going to the boys school band camp last August for 2 weeks and if she didn’t like it, we’d talk, but she had to try it. There was pushback, but again, not negotiable. OMG–best thing she ever did! First of all, one of 4 girls in a band of 35 boys (!!), she made friends with lots of the great boys–the seniors were a terrifc bunch of role models, her interest in music increased, she had a social life immediately with football games every weekend, whchih eased the transition to high school, her identity at her girls school became associated with being an accomplished musician, and more. Every adult you talk to who has been in the high school band will tell you it was the best expereince of their high school life. We are not musicians, but love music and wanted that for her. We found that this year it all gelled–her piano improved and her interest increased dramatically. She will play on her own and order new music online. I could go on and on, but the message is, if Mikey shows a talent for clarinet do all you can to foster it. The high school band expereince is no longer a world of geeks. Those kids rock no matter what they are playing. As a parent, we like that she is meeting boys, but it is in conjunction with a group activity and they are working on a goal–performing together. (Theater would give the same expereince, I imagine) Sorry for the long comment, but I am passionate about playing an instrument and ensemble is the best expereince. Finally, Mikey may a little young to appreciate this, but the opening of Rhapsody in Blue is that beautiful clarinet.
“A little mouthy with a short term memory when it comes to chores.” Spot on! See also, “boys”.
Oh my goodness! He’s so good!
I play the clarinet, too & let me tell you … those low low notes are the *hardest* things to learn! He’s doing so well – & especially for having taught himself some things! Very impressive!