Tuesday, March 26, 2013

First coronet



Disclaimer:  post written by a tin eared grandma.

At the end of last semester Uncle Tom and I went to Laura’s band performance.  There are two bands in her elementary school, the Tuesday/Thursday and the Wednesday/Friday.  Each has sixty five or so members.  At the end of the performance the band teacher said we heard the group all playing the same note; next semester they will learn harmony.

Uncle Tom said that little girl plays a nice trumpet; with a little more direction she could be even better.  Now, Uncle Tom knows how music is made.  He played trumpet in his own high school band back in 1960-something and he never hesitated to send her back to replay the last ten minutes of her twenty minutes per evening of practice, or make a change in her breathing, or whatever one does to a trumpet.

For Christmas he gave her a music stand for practice.  “She sits on her bed, looking down at that music, and that’s no way to play a trumpet!”  So, every evening, after the dishes, we are treated to twenty minutes of trumpet notes floating down the stairs.  I enjoy it, and often can name the tune.  Sometimes Uncle Tom remarks on the music and goes up to make a correction.

Laura took some teasing at the supper table recently; apparently Emily and Hamilton, who also play musical instruments in the high school band, realized Laura has put in a lot of time on a single piece lately.  Uncle Tom cut off their teasing; even if Laura didn’t play a good little trumpet, she’s his favorite great niece. “Tell them what you’re doing, Laura.”

“I’m trying out for first coronet.”

Some time was spent explaining to grandma that a trumpet can play the coronet part.  Several little trumpet players were given the music and there will be a tryout soon.  The piece is called Snap, Crackle, Bop.

Hamilton teased Laura, she was challenging the other players.

“No I’m not; I’ll just play it the best.”

I told Laura it was admirable to strive to do her very best.

“Yes, Gramma.  I want to sit in first chair, too.”


19 comments:

  1. With that kind of determination she's guaranteed to succeed!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Doesn't matter what the motivation is, if it leads to more practicing!

    ReplyDelete
  3. First chair is quite an honor and something for which to strive and achieve. Second chair isn't bad either.

    ReplyDelete
  4. My youngest granddaughter started band this school year, 6th grade. She also plays the trumpet but I haven't heard her play.

    ReplyDelete
  5. We all start at the beginning. It's a very good place to start. 99% of musicians have to put in their elementary practice to get good enough to be listened to at any level. Hooray for Laura!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hooray for Laura, indeed. My husband was a renowned jazz musician,..played a mean Cornet. (a coronet is a crown which Laura may wear if she gets to first chair.......or even if she doesn't.)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have a new word! I looked it up; it appears to have more tube to be blowing through. More power to anyone who tackles an instrument. I failed piano--miserably.

      Delete
  7. I hope that all that work, by Laura and Uncle Tom, is rewarded. It is always nice to put siblings in their place too.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I don't know the difference between first chair and any other chair, but if there's a plate of beef casserole and mashed potatoes in front of it, I'm there.
    Well done Laura, I'm sure you will make first chair.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Snap crackle, bob, I love it and music is a great outlet and pursuit. congrats to Laura

    ReplyDelete
  10. Way to go, Laura!I love the trumpet, but in my day girls were not allowed to play it, so I'm thrilled that Laura is so keen.
    Jane x

    ReplyDelete
  11. Good luck to her.

    ReplyDelete
  12. awww i love this--one of my grandsons, plays the french horn but he missed his concert this year, he was sick :(

    ReplyDelete
  13. I admire anyone who can make music, not something I am good at.
    Merle.............

    ReplyDelete
  14. Well done to Laura and to Uncle Tom too for bringing out the best in your little family.

    ReplyDelete
  15. You must be so proud, Joanne. It's so wonderful to be able to play music. I hope my granddaughter is able to play an instrument someday.

    ReplyDelete
  16. A music education enriches a child's life in so many different ways.

    ReplyDelete
  17. What a determined girl! Good for her!

    ReplyDelete