Piano Lessons!!

After a fall in which we didn't have Wyatt play soccer, a winter in which we didn't have Wyatt eat vegetables, and a spring that looks like we won't be having Wyatt go to bed at any discernable time, Cara and I have felt the need to re-establish ourselves as worthwhile parents. So we've had him take up piano.

We got this piano the only way we know how: given to us from a relative. More specifically, someone on Cara's side of the family. It's electric, which makes it really good, and sadly doesn't seem to have a headphone jack.

After a few weeks of him failing miserably, we decided maybe someone should teach him, so we got him some lessons.

Cara has absolutely no talent. We can focus on the musical side of things for now, but that last sentence is true in all facets except for "mumbling," at which she is superb. Her singing is akin to a poetry slam set to the tune of the last commercial jingle she heard. The only instrument she knows how to play is the nag, which is exactly what you think it is. 

I, on the other hand, could've been a great pianist or oboist if I'd ever tried or been forced to by my parents. And, while they did give me guitar lessons for the one month I could stand them, and piano for two years that I detested, I still feel like I wasn't given a fair shake. So with Wyatt, things will be different.

I've been priming the pump on his musical talents by playing a lot of classical music during the rare moments I'm not listening to Blink-182. And by "classical music," I mostly mean orchestral versions of Zelda and Mario music (real talk here: some of those scores are legit gorgeous, go check them out). During some of this classical music, he asked me what instruments were being played. I told him about some string and wind instruments, and he diligently took notes on a pad of paper. I am not kidding. He was like a little detective.

It's like whenever Tommy Pickles would try to write a note. Do you know what i am talking about? Of course you do.

Later, as we were wrapping up our exploration of instruments through YouTube - Wyatt continued to diligently take what I thought were notes - he rips the paper off the pad and says "Here, dad, you have a ticket!" and walks off.

He has enjoyed his lessons and playing the piano so far, but it doesn't seem to be any sort of passion for him. Still, he seems to like working to excel at things, and maybe we can trick him into this for even a few months.

Wyatt really wanted me to tell you how each piano session ends. You're welcome.

Wyatt wrote us a song. I won't play it for you, because I'd like you to come back to this blog when I put up another post in October (it's really awful), but it has a cool story. He calls it "Can We Hang Out Before You Leave," and, in his own words, it's about "Two girls that love each other but aren't married and one of them is going to move and so they want to hang out together one last time." It's touching, but the music really didn't match the mood. We've got a long way to go.

My mood: tough to get back on the horse
Wyatt's mood: hates going to bed when it's not dark
Link's mood: wants to pay with the most annoying toys
Cara's mood: started a new job!!
Jet's mood: always hungry
Listening to: Blink