Friday, August 20, 2010
The Jazz Musician In Training
chibiguri unexpectedly visited my monthly performance at a local pizza parlor last night. We were playing a tune when he and Amaguri walked in, and I was delighted to see him. he gave make a big smile as he and mom slid into seats not far from the stage and he patiently awaited his chance to approach the stage and give Daddy a hug.
Now, keep in mind that this particular band plays oldies. No, not the 1970s or any other similar schlock. This stuff is REALLY OLD - much of it dates to the 1920s, 1930s and occasionally we might bust out a tune from the 1950s or 1960s. But the vast majority of our repertoire was published before any of us were born. And to my surprise, chibiguri seems to enjoy it. in fact, his current favorite tunes are Bobby Darin's Splish Splash and Percy Venable's Big Butter and Egg Man. As he sat watching, i saw him slide out of his chair and come quietly to my side, where he whispered, 'Can you play Big Butter and Egg Man'? Naturally I relayed his request to our Fearless Leader, who called the tune just for chibiguri's enjoyment. I love his huge smile as he listened! He even danced a little bit in his chair, although our tempo was way too slow!
chibiguri and Amaguri went home shortly thereafter, but he didn't want to go, begging Amaguri to be allowed to stay. Now I suspect this to be more because he hates going to bed than from any sense of true enjoyment of our music, but it was still quite flattering!
Now, keep in mind that this particular band plays oldies. No, not the 1970s or any other similar schlock. This stuff is REALLY OLD - much of it dates to the 1920s, 1930s and occasionally we might bust out a tune from the 1950s or 1960s. But the vast majority of our repertoire was published before any of us were born. And to my surprise, chibiguri seems to enjoy it. in fact, his current favorite tunes are Bobby Darin's Splish Splash and Percy Venable's Big Butter and Egg Man. As he sat watching, i saw him slide out of his chair and come quietly to my side, where he whispered, 'Can you play Big Butter and Egg Man'? Naturally I relayed his request to our Fearless Leader, who called the tune just for chibiguri's enjoyment. I love his huge smile as he listened! He even danced a little bit in his chair, although our tempo was way too slow!
chibiguri and Amaguri went home shortly thereafter, but he didn't want to go, begging Amaguri to be allowed to stay. Now I suspect this to be more because he hates going to bed than from any sense of true enjoyment of our music, but it was still quite flattering!
Labels: music
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
The Piano
Yesterday, I had my mother's Steinway baby grand piano delivered to our house, after spending over four years in storage following her death in 2004. As chibiguri has previously evidenced an interest in musical instruments, I was curious to see how he would respond to the arrival of our very own keyboard instrument.
At first, he was not interested, as he did not appear to understand exactly what this new piece of furniture was. However, once I showed him the keyboard, memory kicked in and he immediately wanted to push down on the keys. I had to remind him that banging was not permitted- one should press gently but firmly on the keys so as to prevent damage from occurring. Once he understood this idea, chibiguri was fascinated.
he spent quite some time at the piano, pushing various keys. Which he is not yet able to create melodies, he was not untuneful either. In fact, I was quite impressed by his technique at such a young age. I believe that once he is old enough to take lessons, he will develop some skill on the keys. At least I hope so. Piano is an instrument that can bring a great deal of pleasure, whether one plays professionally or merely for personal enjoyment.
However, simply pressing the keys was not all that fascinated chibiguri. He quickly realized the there were various parts of the piano that opened and closed- specifically the music rack. I ensured that chibiguri does not yet know that the keyboard lid and the main lid open, but he did observe me opening the music rack, and instantly wanted to open and close it. As we were tinkling the ivories, he continuously demanded that I open and shut the music rack- he was deeply interested in watching me fold it open and closed. I dread the day he realizes that there are many more places on the piano that can also be opened and closed. I shall have to do my utmost to make sure he does not discover said areas until he is old enough to understand their purpose.
However, now that we have the piano, both Amaguri and I are planning to take some piano lessons- we both would like to be able to play piano better than we do at present. Since my sister was a former professional pianist, I am hoping that she can display her formidable skills for chibiguri's education and enjoyment. And I find myself looking forward to the day when all of us will be able to participate in playing music together. A musical family is one that shares an interest and this can be a wonderful way to bring disparate people together.
At first, he was not interested, as he did not appear to understand exactly what this new piece of furniture was. However, once I showed him the keyboard, memory kicked in and he immediately wanted to push down on the keys. I had to remind him that banging was not permitted- one should press gently but firmly on the keys so as to prevent damage from occurring. Once he understood this idea, chibiguri was fascinated.
he spent quite some time at the piano, pushing various keys. Which he is not yet able to create melodies, he was not untuneful either. In fact, I was quite impressed by his technique at such a young age. I believe that once he is old enough to take lessons, he will develop some skill on the keys. At least I hope so. Piano is an instrument that can bring a great deal of pleasure, whether one plays professionally or merely for personal enjoyment.
However, simply pressing the keys was not all that fascinated chibiguri. He quickly realized the there were various parts of the piano that opened and closed- specifically the music rack. I ensured that chibiguri does not yet know that the keyboard lid and the main lid open, but he did observe me opening the music rack, and instantly wanted to open and close it. As we were tinkling the ivories, he continuously demanded that I open and shut the music rack- he was deeply interested in watching me fold it open and closed. I dread the day he realizes that there are many more places on the piano that can also be opened and closed. I shall have to do my utmost to make sure he does not discover said areas until he is old enough to understand their purpose.
However, now that we have the piano, both Amaguri and I are planning to take some piano lessons- we both would like to be able to play piano better than we do at present. Since my sister was a former professional pianist, I am hoping that she can display her formidable skills for chibiguri's education and enjoyment. And I find myself looking forward to the day when all of us will be able to participate in playing music together. A musical family is one that shares an interest and this can be a wonderful way to bring disparate people together.
Monday, May 19, 2008
Parades & Pianos
chibiguri has long evidenced an interest in music. SO this past weekend, as I had to play in the Los Altos Pet Parade with a group from the South Bay Traditional Jazz Society, I decided to take him along. I knew that since there would be a large number of animals, this would be a good opportunity to try him out and see how he behaved in such a situation.
To my pleasure, he was very well-behaved. As usual, he was shy, since he didn't remember the rest of the band, but he sat on my lap throughout the parade, and enjoyed the sights and sounds. There were a number of animals, ranging from horses, to dogs to other pets, and he was quite pleased. I think he enjoyed being the center of attention as well.
After the parade finished, we stopped by the local Sherman Clay store for some accessories for the piano. while there, the salesman showed us the Steinway Room, wherein they had a piano from the Van Cliburn collection, as well as one from the Vladimir Horowitz collection.
chibiguri was fascinated by all the pianos, and began to play as many of them as he could. To my pleasure, instead of banging, he pressed the keys, and though his technique left something to be desired, he was not abusive, and he demonstrated some musicality in his choice of key combinations. I was pleased with this, and with the store's permission, allowed him to continue playing until he let me know that he was ready to leave.
I think that chibiguri will be a musician- it only remains to see what instrument he decides to take up. I would hope that he decides on brass, but if he chooses something else, I will be equally pleased. As long as he stays away from drums and guitar- those two are definitely not my first preference!
To my pleasure, he was very well-behaved. As usual, he was shy, since he didn't remember the rest of the band, but he sat on my lap throughout the parade, and enjoyed the sights and sounds. There were a number of animals, ranging from horses, to dogs to other pets, and he was quite pleased. I think he enjoyed being the center of attention as well.
After the parade finished, we stopped by the local Sherman Clay store for some accessories for the piano. while there, the salesman showed us the Steinway Room, wherein they had a piano from the Van Cliburn collection, as well as one from the Vladimir Horowitz collection.
chibiguri was fascinated by all the pianos, and began to play as many of them as he could. To my pleasure, instead of banging, he pressed the keys, and though his technique left something to be desired, he was not abusive, and he demonstrated some musicality in his choice of key combinations. I was pleased with this, and with the store's permission, allowed him to continue playing until he let me know that he was ready to leave.
I think that chibiguri will be a musician- it only remains to see what instrument he decides to take up. I would hope that he decides on brass, but if he chooses something else, I will be equally pleased. As long as he stays away from drums and guitar- those two are definitely not my first preference!
Labels: music, parades, pianos
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Singing
i think chibiguri is going to be a real musician. While we were in Japan, I met up with some of my musician friends. One of said friends is an excellent jazz guitarist who owns a little izakaya in southern japan, where he plays guitar for his clients. we naturally paid him a visit while we were in japan to say hello.
While we were there, he prevailed on me to sing a few tunes while he accompanied me on guitar. However, chibiguri was fascinated my the microphone. After observing how to use it, he decided to make it his own, and while my firend and I were taking a break, he treated the clientele to an impromptu concert of his 'singing'. While he was not enunciating real words, he also later 'sang' along with me, and showed an admirable pitch- he was not at all tone-deaf, which is quite amazing for a two-and-a-half year old.
In addition, while I was singing, he accompanied me with words of his own invention and once again was able to stay on key remarkably well. Even I was impressed- I did not expect him to perform that well. I can only hope that he continues to develop, as music is one of the most enjoyable (and lucrative) hobbies one can engage in. And maybe he will turn into another Jero. As long as he doesn't turn into Wentz-kun, I shall be happy...
While we were there, he prevailed on me to sing a few tunes while he accompanied me on guitar. However, chibiguri was fascinated my the microphone. After observing how to use it, he decided to make it his own, and while my firend and I were taking a break, he treated the clientele to an impromptu concert of his 'singing'. While he was not enunciating real words, he also later 'sang' along with me, and showed an admirable pitch- he was not at all tone-deaf, which is quite amazing for a two-and-a-half year old.
In addition, while I was singing, he accompanied me with words of his own invention and once again was able to stay on key remarkably well. Even I was impressed- I did not expect him to perform that well. I can only hope that he continues to develop, as music is one of the most enjoyable (and lucrative) hobbies one can engage in. And maybe he will turn into another Jero. As long as he doesn't turn into Wentz-kun, I shall be happy...
Friday, November 16, 2007
Coffee & Jazz
chibiguri and I went to a local coffee-house tonight. A friend's modern jazz band was playing, and as his usual bassist was not in attendance, he invited me over to play a little tuba. Unbeknownst to me, there were also two electric bass players in attendance, so there was a surfeit of bassists in thee house. Nevertheless, chibiguri and I went over to hear some good music and maybne play a little jazz.
When we entered, I asked chibiguri if he would like a drink. He responded 'Yes', so I purchased a hot chocolate for myself and got chibiguri a cup of water. He was very pleased to have his very own drink. He even managed to avoid spilling it, which is relatively unusual at this point in time. However, once the music started, chibiguri was a little nervous, as he was unacquainted with any of the members of the band, so he exhibited extreme clinginess, to the point of insisting that he be held the entire time. Since I was playing tuba, this made things less than optimal for a playing experience. However, I was able to play, and chibiguri was quite comfortable as long as he was being held on my lap.
We managed to do this for the better part of an hour, when chibiguri let me know that it was time to go home. He informed me by telling me 'ne-ne', which means 'sleep' in Japanese. So I thanked the band for letting us sti in, and took my leave. However, once we reached the house, chibiguri proceeded to exhibit signss of awwakeness, which lead me to suspect he simply wanted to go home and be in a more familiar environment. We watched part of the Lakers-Pistons game on ESPN, until Amaguri returned home, and shortly thereafter chibiguri finally did go to sleep- after demanding that both of us accompany him in bed while he dropped off to sleep! I regret that this is a nightly occurrence, as chibiguri finds it difficult to sleep without the presence of both myself and Amaguri.
However, overall, it was a very successful trip, and chibiguri behaved extremely well, considering that the environment was completely alien and other than myself, all the other adults present were complete strangers. I applaud chibiguri on his very successful negotiation of the entire situation, and it gives me hope that chibiguri will become easier to take out as he becomes older.
When we entered, I asked chibiguri if he would like a drink. He responded 'Yes', so I purchased a hot chocolate for myself and got chibiguri a cup of water. He was very pleased to have his very own drink. He even managed to avoid spilling it, which is relatively unusual at this point in time. However, once the music started, chibiguri was a little nervous, as he was unacquainted with any of the members of the band, so he exhibited extreme clinginess, to the point of insisting that he be held the entire time. Since I was playing tuba, this made things less than optimal for a playing experience. However, I was able to play, and chibiguri was quite comfortable as long as he was being held on my lap.
We managed to do this for the better part of an hour, when chibiguri let me know that it was time to go home. He informed me by telling me 'ne-ne', which means 'sleep' in Japanese. So I thanked the band for letting us sti in, and took my leave. However, once we reached the house, chibiguri proceeded to exhibit signss of awwakeness, which lead me to suspect he simply wanted to go home and be in a more familiar environment. We watched part of the Lakers-Pistons game on ESPN, until Amaguri returned home, and shortly thereafter chibiguri finally did go to sleep- after demanding that both of us accompany him in bed while he dropped off to sleep! I regret that this is a nightly occurrence, as chibiguri finds it difficult to sleep without the presence of both myself and Amaguri.
However, overall, it was a very successful trip, and chibiguri behaved extremely well, considering that the environment was completely alien and other than myself, all the other adults present were complete strangers. I applaud chibiguri on his very successful negotiation of the entire situation, and it gives me hope that chibiguri will become easier to take out as he becomes older.
Labels: music, new situations, trip
Monday, October 15, 2007
He's a Musician!
chibiguri has long taken an interest in my many musical instruments. However, aside from my little baritone horn, he has yet to prove himself able to produce a sound on any of them. this all changed this past weekend.
I was watching chibiguri while Amaguri was working, and as usual, I had my tuba in hand, as I was intending to do a little work on my chops. chibiguri also as usual crawled on my lap, as he does when something other than himself occupies my attention, and he expressed an interest in putting his little mouth on the mouthpiece. I was agreeable to this idea, and proceeded to show chibiguri how to form a rudimentary embouchure.
After demonstrating the possible results once or twice, I lowered the mouthpiece to chibiguri, and to my surprise, he proceeded to blow a recognizable note on the instrument! Not quite sure if this was a fluke, I invited chibiguri to repeat the perfromance, which he was not quite able to do. I repeated the demonstration of how to blow into the instrument, whereupon chibiguri proceeded for the second time to blow a recognizable note.
Once Amaguri returned home, I had chibiguri demonstrate his newfound prowess, which he finally did over the past weekend. So he can now blow two instruments- the tuba and the baritone horn. For obvious reasons, the trombones are kept out of his grasp- slides are too easily bent by little fingers that know not their own strength! As for the trumpet, he is trying to blow it, but trumpet is a difficult instrument to play- even I still have pressure issues, so it is no surprise that chibiguri has yet to produce anything recognizable as a note on that horn as of yet. I don't know if he will end up a brass player, but at two years, he has at least made a good start should he decide to go that route.
I was watching chibiguri while Amaguri was working, and as usual, I had my tuba in hand, as I was intending to do a little work on my chops. chibiguri also as usual crawled on my lap, as he does when something other than himself occupies my attention, and he expressed an interest in putting his little mouth on the mouthpiece. I was agreeable to this idea, and proceeded to show chibiguri how to form a rudimentary embouchure.
After demonstrating the possible results once or twice, I lowered the mouthpiece to chibiguri, and to my surprise, he proceeded to blow a recognizable note on the instrument! Not quite sure if this was a fluke, I invited chibiguri to repeat the perfromance, which he was not quite able to do. I repeated the demonstration of how to blow into the instrument, whereupon chibiguri proceeded for the second time to blow a recognizable note.
Once Amaguri returned home, I had chibiguri demonstrate his newfound prowess, which he finally did over the past weekend. So he can now blow two instruments- the tuba and the baritone horn. For obvious reasons, the trombones are kept out of his grasp- slides are too easily bent by little fingers that know not their own strength! As for the trumpet, he is trying to blow it, but trumpet is a difficult instrument to play- even I still have pressure issues, so it is no surprise that chibiguri has yet to produce anything recognizable as a note on that horn as of yet. I don't know if he will end up a brass player, but at two years, he has at least made a good start should he decide to go that route.
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Vocabulary & Music
chibiguri is at last increasing his vocabulary. Besides his favorites (cow, horse), he has begun to learn several other new words. As we were reading last night, he was able to say 'pig'and 'sheep'. He has not yet mastered 'dog', but he knows what one is- both in Japanese and in English. We can point to a dog and say 'inu doko', or 'where is the dog', and he correctly points. He also has begun expanding his vocabulary in other directions. While he has steadfasstly refused to say 'train', he is very good at 'choo-choo'.
In addition, chibiguri has at last managed to make sounds on one of my horns. I received a little baritone, or possibly alto horn from a friend (it was his father's, who recently passed away) and I was playing it last night. I offered it to chibiguri, and showed him how to blow, and he was able to make distinct sounds on it. I was quite pleased wiuth him, and he was able to make both a a semi-high note and a lower note. He is a long way from being able to play, but he has clearly made a start.
In addition, chibiguri has at last managed to make sounds on one of my horns. I received a little baritone, or possibly alto horn from a friend (it was his father's, who recently passed away) and I was playing it last night. I offered it to chibiguri, and showed him how to blow, and he was able to make distinct sounds on it. I was quite pleased wiuth him, and he was able to make both a a semi-high note and a lower note. He is a long way from being able to play, but he has clearly made a start.
