Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Syd's Violin

For as long as I can remember my grandpa, we call him Papa, has wanted a grandchild to play the violin. It took a second generation of grandchildren to fulfill this dream but we will now have a violinist in the family. Sydney has asked us before if she could play the violin but we didn't think she was big enough. Over Christmas Papa asked us if he bought her a violin, would we put her in lessons. Well we said yes because this is something Syd has already shown interest in. Today was the big day. We went to the music store and found the perfect violin. Sydney is so tiny she needed the smallest size, 1/10th. It is itty bitty, as you will see in the pictures. I didn't know they made violins that tiny. Rest assured, however, we did not purchase this violin at Toys-R-Us, it is from a legitimate music store and is an official, yet very small, violin. We are so grateful to Papa for buying this for Syd. She is so excited. On the way home from the music store, Syd named her violin Stephanie. We also think this will be a great way for Syd to get her mind off diabetes. This is something she can turn to in order to uplift her and feel better about herself. Syd loves music and we are so excited for her to start lessons! Her first one is tomorrow and, of course, there will be pictures.

The only downside to this whole thing is the fact that Sydney loves music and her mother is so musically inept. The music guy was talking about rosin for her bow. I had no idea what he was talking about. He must have realized this from the blank stares coming from my direction. The only thing that popped into my head were the two lines from the song "The Devil Went Down to Georgia." I added more of the lyrics just so you can re-play the song in your head as you read below because, lets face it, this song is awesome.

Johnny you rosin up your bow and play your fiddle hard.
'Cos hells broke loose in Georgia and the devil deals it hard.
And if you win you get this shiny fiddle made of gold.
But if you lose, the devil gets your soul.
The devil opened up his case and he said: "I'll start this show."
And fire flew from his fingertips as he rosined up his bow.
And he pulled the bow across his strings and it made an evil hiss.
Then a band of demons joined in and it sounded something like this.

(Ok, admit it, you sang the lyrics in your head, right? I think it is impossible to just read those words.) After Gary-the-music-man explained what rosin was, I nodded in affirmation acting like, "oh ya I knew that all along." In actuality, I still need another lesson in how to rosin a bow but enough about my musically challenged mind, onto the pictures! (P.S. Don't worry too much about my negative instrument influence on Sydney, Loren makes up in music what I lack, he played the trombone for 6 years.)

~Sydney and Papa and Stephanie-the-violin




~Syd standing with Stephanie.






14 comments:

Lee and Valerie Gunther said...

Oh I miss your little girls. They were so cute in Primary. I will
always remember when I was just starting my pregnancy and Sydney walked up to me and said "So when do you due?" It was so cute. I love the blog. I hope your family has a graet 09, nice to find you here in Blogger Land.

ashycam said...

Hey Syd, looks like you are going to be a great violinist. And Shamae Lorne says what are you talking about being musically inept, you killed us all in guitar hero! :)

Heather said...

Oh my she looks too cute with her tiny violin!! I always wanted to learn to play violin when I was younger (and piano), but never did. I was thinking before I read what you wrote, that it would be a great thing for Syd to get her mind off things a bit. You crack me up with Devil went down to Georgia haha! I saw a billboard this weekend in Vegas for Charlie Daniels Band and of course had to start singing that song!!

wendys said...

How neat! I hope she loves her lessons. Make sure she learns how to fiddle too so we can have square dances in your living room.

Jayson & Carrie said...

Ahh, that is so great! How exciting for Syd! I could never teach my kiddos anything that had to be tuned! Hence..the drumming! At least I can teach Jayden how to play drums! LOL Now...we need to find a song that they could do a duet with a violin and drums...hmmm.....

Jayson & Carrie said...

Ahh, that is so great! How exciting for Syd! I could never teach my kiddos anything that had to be tuned! Hence..the drumming! At least I can teach Jayden how to play drums! LOL Now...we need to find a song that they could do a duet with a violin and drums...hmmm.....

Evan and Kerri said...

That's so awesome!!
You can tell Syd that I am so jealous, I've always wanted to play the violin. Hope things are going great for you guys--I miss you all!!!
Much love-Kerri :0)

Jen B said...

Just try and wipe the smile off her face! I think it is great! How'd the first lesson go?

Anonymous said...

That violin is so tiny! I was always so jealous of the kids in my school who got to play the violin! What a good talent to develop!

periwinkle4 said...

Wow, that is so incredibly wonderful! She's so cute with Stephanie. How sweet of your Papa! When I read what you wrote about hoping the music would help her overcome her diabetes I just felt so good. You are such an awesome mom with a great little family! YAY for Syd & Stephanie!

Anonymous said...

So cute!! How old is Syd? We want our kids to learn to play.

Greg & Andrea said...

Sydney is so beautiful. What a sweet little daughter you have. And the violin is such a pretty instrument it will be great when she can play beautiful music for friends and family.

Micah and Jen said...

I am so jealous! that is one instrument I really really really want to learn to play! And how cute is stephanie? I had no idea they came that small either! Can't wait for video of her playing! :)

Anonymous said...

Yay, I love when little kids pick up the violin. I wish I would have started at that age. I know it is a long ways away but when you need a full size violin let me know, I have a few lying around my house. :) Jenny B