Tuesday, March 10, 2015

Living Vicariously Through My Daughter

    It’s the highlight of my week. Today, as I write this, my daughter is taking her flute lesson while I sit and wait on the couch, listening.

   “ Tee ya ta ta,  tee ta ta ta tum,” I hear as her teacher helps her with the rhythm.

     It is a joy to eavesdrop on her hour of instruction. Along with intense coaching, there is an abundance of laughing and giggling going on during lessons.  Not only do they discuss music, but she will share events from her day, discussing anything from teachers and friends to projects and grades.

     I have always wanted to play the flute, but when I was younger my dad convinced me to play the oboe instead. Ever since then I haven’t been able to put aside the crush I’ve had on this instrument So, when it was time for my daughter to embark on her musical career, I convinced HER to play the flute. She wanted to play the violin too, so - you guessed it - I said yes to both.

    What began as air hissing, hinting at notes, and sometimes painful practicing has turned into beautiful,  gorgeous, rich, melodious sound. The endless scales, arpeggios, long sustaining notes, staccato, octave practice, chromatics and trills, have all come together to shape her into the musical player she is today.

     According to Merriam-Webster, the flute’s definition is: a keyed woodwind instrument consisting of a cylindrical tube which is stopped at one end and which has a side hole over which air is blown to produce the tone and having a range from middle C upward for three octaves.  Oh, it’s so much more than that.  Beauty, love, laughter, lamenting, grief, tension, fear, teasing, mystery, hope. This only touches upon the emotions the flute is capable of  communicating.

     I firmly believe the beauty of the music reaches deep into her consciousness,  stroking  her soul with love. I have spent a lot of money on music lessons,  however, I will never regret a single penny. What matters is that my daughter is given the opportunity to experience true beauty, and because of it is a better person.

    Living vicariously is not such a bad thing when it’s a win-win situation for everyone involved.

2 comments:

  1. Music connects us as human beings. It connects us to one another. It connects us to our own souls. It soothes. It angers. It excites. It makes us feel alive. Your daughter is enjoying the playing, and you are enjoying your daughter and her playing. Definitely a win-win.

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  2. My kids played French Horn and trumpet. Loved the band concerts! Your post brings back happy memories. Glad you're getting to experience that flute love vicariously through her.

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