The Blues, Baby

Den purchased a harmonica for himself a couple weeks ago. He decided that he was yearning to play some blues and some blues he was going to play. He has a few songs down pat like Amazing Grace, and he can make this really cool sound that mimics a train going faster and faster and blowing it's whistle. I find myself grinning from ear to ear when he does it for the kids . So as you can imagine it has brought the younger boys a great deal of delight to listen to and to watch Dad play on his tiny music player, although everyone wants to press it to their lips too, but Dad has let the boys know that a harmonica is not an instrument you swap. I think the reasons are obvious.....hehehe However, Abram wanted to play it sooo bad that he begged and begged Daddy to buy him one, and declared that if he did he would learn to play it right alongside of him.

So last night Den brought home Abram's very own little harmonica. Abram was so pleased that he couldn't open the small box fast enough. He began blowing and blowing and blowing on it, believing that he could whip out a tune the very moment it was placed to his lips. Thankfully, for us, the harmonica doesn't sound half bad no matter what you play, but Dad let Abram know that he was going to learn how to REALLY play it.

So Den decided to start him off. At first Den had big plans, as usual. We have learned this about Den with homeschooling. He has big lofty dreams that the boys are going to catch on instantly and that the two of them will be playing an Amazing Grace duet in a matter of hours....hahaha After talking WAY over Abram's head for a bit, and after he recognized the glassy dull look in his seven year old's eyes he decided to back up and start off a wee more basic. He explained that he was going to count 1..2..3..4, and with each number Abram would have to blow out, and then in, and then out, and then in. Simple enough Den thought. Abram eagerly obliged him, but it went something like this 1.2...3.4444444. Den patiently said, "No." Now listen to me count, and now listen to me play it....out..in..out..in. Abram nodded his head and began....in...out...suck for air...out...innnnnnnnnn. Den had a worried look on his face, but pushed on. "Now Abram watch me tap my foot, do you see how there is a steady beat? We are going to follow that, you should also be counting in your head, just blow out and in to the tapping of my foot and along with the counting in your mind." Ok let's go......to which the harmonica sound was all over the map again. Den looked a little stunned at the chaotic sound that was coming from his little man, and he stood their quietly pondering. He wasn't sure how he was going to teach this, but I have to say that I haven't giggled softly so hard in a long time.

Den took me aside privately and told me that this was going to be harder than he thought, that the poor boy has no rhythm. I couldn't give him any advice except to giggle and giggle. I did remind Dad that this is just a beautiful homeschool moment, and another day as a teacher.

Later that night, Den whipped out his harmonica again, and little Abram came running in with his as well. Den finally got the message across and they sang, "Bad to the Bone" with a few alterations to the words. The 4 notes that they would play were very simple, and then they would bellow out the words. Perfection it wasn't, but Abram was on cloud nine, after all his Dad and him were singing the blues together.