Luckily for my own dear children, I married a man that has a good singing voice, can somewhat read music and can—heaven forbid, keep time! I’m honestly not sure if he heard me sing until we were married for months if not years (I would just mouth the words during sacrament meeting, hey don’t judge, it works!)
I have hoped that my children follow after Ethan and not myself in the musical arena, so when JellyBean informed us in the 6th grade orchestra that she wanted to play, not the violin, but instead the largest possible instrument, the upright Bass, I was very supportive. Especially because we didn’t have to buy a bass, just borrow one from the school district. I was so supportive that I would help her carry the bass to and from school (it didn’t fit in our car without a lot of twisting, turnings, seat bending…you get the idea.)
Jr. High and a carpool later we realized that lessons and buying a bass became essential. I was still supportive and after weeks of phone calls we FINALLY found someone to teach her lessons. It would cost us $25 a week and Ethan would go with her so that he could help her at home after listening to the teacher (see, NOT musically challenged!) We also went bass shopping. This is where I start to wonder WHO I’m supporting!
We went to the local “R” music store and were told that the rental was 69% interest…yes, you read that right! 69% interest!!! There was also a penalty if we paid off early. So we tried the local “S” music store and they were slightly better but still in the 60%’s. Okay, I don’t care how musically challenged you are, or how supportive you are, it doesn’t mean that you are math or logic challenged too! Isn’t that the whole right brain/left brain question? Are they expecting that I have neither side functioning?
I was ready to tell JellyBean that the support I was going to give her was walking with her to the counselor’s office and finding something else musical…like choir, pretty sure that I already paid for the voice box attached to her! Ahh, have no fear, I’ve been a good girl and have been paying my tithing! We managed to find a bass on Craig’s list that we could pay cash for and it's in great shape! So I will go on supporting her and her HUGE bass that has found a home in my living room…now I just hope she doesn’t want the whole family coming to concerts, we won’t all fit in the car with the bass!
************************
Side note: I have updated my monthly book and movie reviews