Music is what feelings sound like.
~Author Unknown
Disclaimer: This post contains unmitigated fawning over my first born. I don’t do this often, but a certain joy embedded in my blog is that I’ll not see your eyes roll as I pride in my progeny.
Occasionally, stars align and I find myself alone with Mia during our drive to school. Like other things too scarce, these twenty minutes are treasure.
Mia’s two and a half years older than her brother, and her brother is the eldest of all our students. Conversation with her, you can imagine, exists on a slightly different plane.
This morning, I formally introduced her to the musical stylings of Nirvana. ”What’s Nirvana,” she asked. ”It’s like Heaven,” I said, “but easier to get to.”
I love music.
I thank my parents for permeating childhood with a ton of tunes. We didn’t have a whole lot of diversity; they pretty much dug deep on classic rock, but they loved what they listened to, attended concerts with semi-frequency, and dribbled their affection down to me.
I love it all. I’ve a soft spot for the classics of course, but my mac’s packed with 80 gigs, jamming everything from Marshall Mathers to Mozart.
My singing voice is terrible. Really, at my best, I sound like a love sick moose. Despite this, I have a decent ear for pulling apart the various sounds in a track.
Mia puts my skills to shame. At two and a half, all on her own, she started to identify composers off the classical station in the car.
“What’s that?” Mia asked this morning, while listening to one of Cobain’s quieter numbers. I had to back the track six times to hear what she did:
Dave Grohl, lightly tapping his drumstick on a tightened cymbal in composed momentum.
A few minutes from her school, I explained how Nirvana were BIG TIME when I was in high school.
Why?
Because they had a new sound.
“What did it sound like?”
I bounced the track to “Smells Like Teen Spirit,” and played the first minute.
We turned onto her school’s street.
That’s not a new sound, she said. That’s pianoforte.
Pianoforte: ORIGIN mid 18th century ‘soft and loud,’ expressing the gradation in tone.
Yes, Mia, that’s correct. Nirvana is a wonderful example of pianoforte.
We kissed and she ran from the car to her first grade classroom. Again, I thought how lucky we are that she’s in a class that is challenging.
Later on, conversation resumed. Our words drifted to the life, and tragic end of Kurt Cobain. It was a beautiful conversation, and I would love to share, but I think I’d like to save it for another week.
Before I bid you all a wonderful weekend, I’d like to first say WOW!
Tuesday’s post, Stop, and Wednesday’s follow up, I Said Stop, were quite the surprise. Originally, I was going to post about the power of praise, but an early evening incident inspired a change.
I just want to say, I’ve never been more proud of this audience. I’m inspired by what happened here this week, and believe it will affect my writing. There was genuine dialogue, and though we never did get any answers from Benjamin, there’s always tomorrow.
I can’t wait to comb the comments again this weekend; slowly, with Daisy next to me, inch upon inch of intelligent argument like candy for my mind. Thank you all, for all your words. First time through, these are the commenters who struck me in some way, or pushed our discussion further.
Blogger Dad, Matthew, Dave Fowler, Ian, Wendi, KittyTown (love ya), Jamie, Kool Aid, Janine, Kimmelin, Melissa, Miguel, Jim, Blake, and BJ. Special mention to my dad, who dropped his first comment ever. (I know, right?)
Thank you all. See you Monday.
Writer Dad
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About Sean Platt
“but a certain joy embedded in my blog is that I’ll not see your eyes roll as I pride in my progeny.”
One day soon, there will be cams so that you can see your readership and they can see you. A glorious day in the blogosphere, that will be.
Bamboo Forests last blog post..7 Things That Happen in Movies – But Probably Not to You
“but a certain joy embedded in my blog is that I’ll not see your eyes roll as I pride in my progeny.”
One day soon, there will be cams so that you can see your readership and they can see you. A glorious day in the blogosphere, that will be.
Bamboo Forests last blog post..7 Things That Happen in Movies – But Probably Not to You
Hi WD – kids can know so much!
Robins last blog post..Ice And Global Warming
Hi WD – kids can know so much!
Robins last blog post..Ice And Global Warming
Now I’ve got a new post, I can comment freely again with out people wondering about my masturbation habits.
*ahem*
I am waiting until the right moment to introduce my son to the music I truly love and enjoy. For now, I let him dance and go crazy to the current hip hop/dance hits.
Funny you should say you listen to Eminem. I’ve been listening to his records for the past couple of weeks. It’s a great look at human nature, especially someone who grew up in today’s society. If you dig deep enough into his records, it starts to make all sense.
(God, I’ve been waiting weeks to say that.)
Matthew Drydens last blog post..I Make A Difference, Now What About You?
Now I’ve got a new post, I can comment freely again with out people wondering about my masturbation habits.
*ahem*
I am waiting until the right moment to introduce my son to the music I truly love and enjoy. For now, I let him dance and go crazy to the current hip hop/dance hits.
Funny you should say you listen to Eminem. I’ve been listening to his records for the past couple of weeks. It’s a great look at human nature, especially someone who grew up in today’s society. If you dig deep enough into his records, it starts to make all sense.
(God, I’ve been waiting weeks to say that.)
Matthew Drydens last blog post..I Make A Difference, Now What About You?
Another great post. Mia sounds like an amazing child. That was a very sweet moment between you. Thank you for sharing and letting us into your car – and your lives.
Blogger Dads last blog post..Is excess killing you?
Another great post. Mia sounds like an amazing child. That was a very sweet moment between you. Thank you for sharing and letting us into your car – and your lives.
Blogger Dads last blog post..Is excess killing you?
Matthew – Thanks for that mental image. Now, I’ll NEVER fall asleep.
Blogger Dads last blog post..Is excess killing you?
Matthew – Thanks for that mental image. Now, I’ll NEVER fall asleep.
Blogger Dads last blog post..Is excess killing you?
Mia seems to be a treasure trove of musical knowledge already, Writer Dad.
I wonder if you are encouraging her to play any instruments- or is she, perhaps, too young just now?
You certainly do have a great community here… very ‘interactive’ :-)
I hope you and Daisy have a relaxing time together this weekend.
Mia seems to be a treasure trove of musical knowledge already, Writer Dad.
I wonder if you are encouraging her to play any instruments- or is she, perhaps, too young just now?
You certainly do have a great community here… very ‘interactive’ :-)
I hope you and Daisy have a relaxing time together this weekend.
Now I want my next project proposal to show some pianoforte.
J.D. Meiers last blog post..Strengths and Weaknesses vs. Personality Profiles
Now I want my next project proposal to show some pianoforte.
J.D. Meiers last blog post..Strengths and Weaknesses vs. Personality Profiles
@Blogger Dad: You just can’t help yourself, can you?
Matthew Drydens last blog post..I Make A Difference, Now What About You?
@Blogger Dad: You just can’t help yourself, can you?
Matthew Drydens last blog post..I Make A Difference, Now What About You?
My little girl (also called Mia funnily enough) loves Red Hot Chilli Peppers and demands it on our car journey to nursery in the morning.
She’s says “it’s a great toon” and rocks her little head along to the beat, and I just thank goodness that she can’t make out the words!
I love it when they discover music. My son loves Take That, Stevie Wonder and in the morning I catch him singing Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah to himself!
Taras last blog post..Books
My little girl (also called Mia funnily enough) loves Red Hot Chilli Peppers and demands it on our car journey to nursery in the morning.
She’s says “it’s a great toon” and rocks her little head along to the beat, and I just thank goodness that she can’t make out the words!
I love it when they discover music. My son loves Take That, Stevie Wonder and in the morning I catch him singing Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah to himself!
Taras last blog post..Books
Great dialogue with Mia! It’s surprising what children will pick up on sometimes. I wonder if it’s that they listen and look with child-like ears and eyes. That everything is “new” to them – and they experience it in a different light than us who have heard or seen it many times.
Lances last blog post..A Helping Hand
Great dialogue with Mia! It’s surprising what children will pick up on sometimes. I wonder if it’s that they listen and look with child-like ears and eyes. That everything is “new” to them – and they experience it in a different light than us who have heard or seen it many times.
Lances last blog post..A Helping Hand
My eyes aren’t rolling, promise. I love hearing about Dads and Daughters and the unique relationship they have. It sounds like you and Mia have and nurture that connection. I think it’s great.
Thanks for making a list and including me on it! I’m flattered and I’ve now found other blogs to read, too.
Kool Aids last blog post..Super Savings, pt 2
My eyes aren’t rolling, promise. I love hearing about Dads and Daughters and the unique relationship they have. It sounds like you and Mia have and nurture that connection. I think it’s great.
Thanks for making a list and including me on it! I’m flattered and I’ve now found other blogs to read, too.
Kool Aids last blog post..Super Savings, pt 2
*EYES ROLL* – See, you couldn’t quite get away from it! My daughter hasn’t started picking out sounds, but she, like her mommy, loves to sing. When we are in the car together, she will tell me to roll up the windows, turn the music up and will sing at the top of her lungs. For a 2-1/2 year old she sounds a lot better than I do.
I am with you on the love sick moose part. My son even tops my talent with his grunts, screams and giggles and he isn’t even one yet. Let’s just say that I am amazed that the bathroom mirror or window hasn’t cracked yet.
Sals last blog post..A Man’s Gotta Do…Part III
*EYES ROLL* – See, you couldn’t quite get away from it! My daughter hasn’t started picking out sounds, but she, like her mommy, loves to sing. When we are in the car together, she will tell me to roll up the windows, turn the music up and will sing at the top of her lungs. For a 2-1/2 year old she sounds a lot better than I do.
I am with you on the love sick moose part. My son even tops my talent with his grunts, screams and giggles and he isn’t even one yet. Let’s just say that I am amazed that the bathroom mirror or window hasn’t cracked yet.
Sals last blog post..A Man’s Gotta Do…Part III
Bamboo: You’re totally right, but for now, I enjoy not knowing what people look like. It doesn’t matter a bit, and it gives their words more unbiased strength.
Robin: True, that. They can be our teachers if we only let them.
Matthew: Eminem’s verbiage is thick. I can’t wait to break it down with the little ones, when they’re not so little, in another ten years.
Blogger Dad: My pleasure, Dave.
Scott: She’s been playing violin for three years. She takes lessons once a week. I do not believe you’re ever too young for music. We’ve given her some kind of music instruction since she was born, even if it was just playing music and talking about the instruments. At three, she was big enough to hold the smallest violin, so we started her on lessons. Believe they can, and they will.
J.D.: That’s funny, J.D.
Tara: Is your daughter really named Mia? Mine isn’t. It’s her pseudonym. It actually comes from a nickname that came from nowhere, “Bubalamia.” It is an amazing amount of fun to bop with them to music. They are so undaunted.
Lance: They’re sponges. They absorb everything. And you’re right, because everything is fresh, they hear without being jaded or bored.
Kool Aid: Mia and I couldn’t be tighter. The same could be said about any combination of the four of us. My pleasure for the list. Your comments were wonderful, and you carried conversation further.
Sal: I’ve cracked glass. Well, not really, but it’s only because I can’t find the right pitch. I’m sure the sound is retched enough.
Bamboo: You’re totally right, but for now, I enjoy not knowing what people look like. It doesn’t matter a bit, and it gives their words more unbiased strength.
Robin: True, that. They can be our teachers if we only let them.
Matthew: Eminem’s verbiage is thick. I can’t wait to break it down with the little ones, when they’re not so little, in another ten years.
Blogger Dad: My pleasure, Dave.
Scott: She’s been playing violin for three years. She takes lessons once a week. I do not believe you’re ever too young for music. We’ve given her some kind of music instruction since she was born, even if it was just playing music and talking about the instruments. At three, she was big enough to hold the smallest violin, so we started her on lessons. Believe they can, and they will.
J.D.: That’s funny, J.D.
Tara: Is your daughter really named Mia? Mine isn’t. It’s her pseudonym. It actually comes from a nickname that came from nowhere, “Bubalamia.” It is an amazing amount of fun to bop with them to music. They are so undaunted.
Lance: They’re sponges. They absorb everything. And you’re right, because everything is fresh, they hear without being jaded or bored.
Kool Aid: Mia and I couldn’t be tighter. The same could be said about any combination of the four of us. My pleasure for the list. Your comments were wonderful, and you carried conversation further.
Sal: I’ve cracked glass. Well, not really, but it’s only because I can’t find the right pitch. I’m sure the sound is retched enough.
Well, it’s my fault my kids know all the lyrics to 60′s and 70′s rock, because we would play “Stump the Mother” and they’d have to name the artist and trak. I always beat them, too. Still. Muahahahaha.
You’d better get Peter Pan into your house. Stat. I’ve enjoyed this week with your posts immensely.
Betsy Wuebkers last blog post..WHY MAKE IT ROUGH?
Well, it’s my fault my kids know all the lyrics to 60′s and 70′s rock, because we would play “Stump the Mother” and they’d have to name the artist and trak. I always beat them, too. Still. Muahahahaha.
You’d better get Peter Pan into your house. Stat. I’ve enjoyed this week with your posts immensely.
Betsy Wuebkers last blog post..WHY MAKE IT ROUGH?
Hmm, there are at least three blogs I regularly read who have children named Mia, funny. Each sound adorable in their own way, and their parents obviously take great delight in them. Your Mia sounds astoundingly perceptive.
My sons could give a rip about music which will probably change once they hit the teenage years. Conversely, my stepdaughters are always singing, and when they ride with me, it’s like the all-hits request hotline. Over time, I’ve realized it’s become a means of connecting with them. I just have to keep them away from away from their aunt who’s all into gangsta rap. It’s a little weird hearing a 5 & 6 year old singing about “ballers in the club.”
Enjoy the weekend ya’ll
CK Lunchboxs last blog post..CLARK KENT’S INBOX October 3rd
Hmm, there are at least three blogs I regularly read who have children named Mia, funny. Each sound adorable in their own way, and their parents obviously take great delight in them. Your Mia sounds astoundingly perceptive.
My sons could give a rip about music which will probably change once they hit the teenage years. Conversely, my stepdaughters are always singing, and when they ride with me, it’s like the all-hits request hotline. Over time, I’ve realized it’s become a means of connecting with them. I just have to keep them away from away from their aunt who’s all into gangsta rap. It’s a little weird hearing a 5 & 6 year old singing about “ballers in the club.”
Enjoy the weekend ya’ll
CK Lunchboxs last blog post..CLARK KENT’S INBOX October 3rd
Sean,
Impressive parents making for impressive kids? In your case, DEFINITLY! Pianoforte :-)
My older daughter ( you notice I NEVER talk about her – EVER) is a one-woman band. She was born with perfect pitch, and by the age of 6, was dropped by every piano teacher in the area. Hand her an instrument, give her 10 minutes, then any song – and she can play it.
Her high school band teacher would not give her an instrument to play. She was the “fill-in.” She would be assigned any instrument of a student who was absent – for class and concerts.
I can’t carry a note. I’ve NEVER heard my husband even sing. EVER.
Work with Mia, she has a gift – and somebody talented and committed enough to nurture it!
Rita
Sean,
Impressive parents making for impressive kids? In your case, DEFINITLY! Pianoforte :-)
My older daughter ( you notice I NEVER talk about her – EVER) is a one-woman band. She was born with perfect pitch, and by the age of 6, was dropped by every piano teacher in the area. Hand her an instrument, give her 10 minutes, then any song – and she can play it.
Her high school band teacher would not give her an instrument to play. She was the “fill-in.” She would be assigned any instrument of a student who was absent – for class and concerts.
I can’t carry a note. I’ve NEVER heard my husband even sing. EVER.
Work with Mia, she has a gift – and somebody talented and committed enough to nurture it!
Rita
Sean,
As you know, I never tal about my older daughter. So I will break with tradition once: at 6, every piano teacher in town had dropped her. By middle and high school, no teacher would assign her an instrument – she was the “fill-in.” Give her ANY instrument and 10 minutes, and she can play it. She has perfect pitch. One time, I yelled at her sister – and I was told all of the notes I used in my yelling.
I can’t carry a tune. After 23 years, I have NEVER heard my husband sing – not even “Happy Birthday.”
You have a gift to nurture your child’s gift. Whether Nirvana or Beethoven, music is music. Don’t let her gift die!
Rita
Sean,
As you know, I never tal about my older daughter. So I will break with tradition once: at 6, every piano teacher in town had dropped her. By middle and high school, no teacher would assign her an instrument – she was the “fill-in.” Give her ANY instrument and 10 minutes, and she can play it. She has perfect pitch. One time, I yelled at her sister – and I was told all of the notes I used in my yelling.
I can’t carry a tune. After 23 years, I have NEVER heard my husband sing – not even “Happy Birthday.”
You have a gift to nurture your child’s gift. Whether Nirvana or Beethoven, music is music. Don’t let her gift die!
Rita
Sean,
Sorry – I forgot to ask…do you think that I should visit Sal’s blog? I’ll trust your opinion on that.
Rita
Ritas last blog post..The TERRIBLE PARENTING Song We Love to Hear
Sean,
Sorry – I forgot to ask…do you think that I should visit Sal’s blog? I’ll trust your opinion on that.
Rita
Ritas last blog post..The TERRIBLE PARENTING Song We Love to Hear
Sean,
So sorry – one more question – it IS OK if I call you Sean, right?
Rita
(Sal, my kids are grown, I can sit here ALL weekend and leave loving comments to my buddy SEAN. WANNA DUKE IT OUT? :-) )
Ritas last blog post..The TERRIBLE PARENTING Song We Love to Hear
Sean,
So sorry – one more question – it IS OK if I call you Sean, right?
Rita
(Sal, my kids are grown, I can sit here ALL weekend and leave loving comments to my buddy SEAN. WANNA DUKE IT OUT? :-) )
Ritas last blog post..The TERRIBLE PARENTING Song We Love to Hear
@WD: Very respectfully request permission to start a full fledged duel with one of your “more popular” (AHEM) commenters. I promise I won’t increase my chances for winning by asking questions or creating comments off topic of the post.
Oh wait, I just did…GOSH DARN!
BTW – loved your post (see how I resolved that little dilema?)
Sals last blog post..A Man’s Gotta Do…Part III
@WD: Very respectfully request permission to start a full fledged duel with one of your “more popular” (AHEM) commenters. I promise I won’t increase my chances for winning by asking questions or creating comments off topic of the post.
Oh wait, I just did…GOSH DARN!
BTW – loved your post (see how I resolved that little dilema?)
Sals last blog post..A Man’s Gotta Do…Part III
I think it’s adorable that you brag about your daughter. She’ll love you for that someday. Maybe not when she’s a teenager, but someday. ;)
Jamie Simmermans last blog post..We Donate with Squidoo, Do You?
I think it’s adorable that you brag about your daughter. She’ll love you for that someday. Maybe not when she’s a teenager, but someday. ;)
Jamie Simmermans last blog post..We Donate with Squidoo, Do You?
@Rita: I’m not the one you have to worry about, Steph is gaining quickly, you unplug her computer and I will pull her chair out from under her…deal?
@WD: I just remembered something. Ok, this may seem like a long shot, but I promise I will tie it all in eventually. The other day all of us were in the car, we didn’t have the radio on because we were talking about something, when out of the back seat comes Bella, bursting into song and a little jig (well, I think it was a jig, it was all she could do while sitting in her car seat, more of a wiggle and shake, come to think of it, it might have been a seen from river dance, who knows). Anyway, she starts singing as loud as she could, for a total of three songs that we have never heard her sing before, much less aware that she even knew. Talk about a sponge. She finished it off by singing “Ohioans and Pfiffers and Nares – Oh My” from Veggie Tales, then shouted at the top of her lungs…TADAAAAA! It was the most precious moment ever, then Jess and I burst into laughter…guess you had to be there. :(
Sals last blog post..A Man’s Gotta Do…Part III
@Rita: I’m not the one you have to worry about, Steph is gaining quickly, you unplug her computer and I will pull her chair out from under her…deal?
@WD: I just remembered something. Ok, this may seem like a long shot, but I promise I will tie it all in eventually. The other day all of us were in the car, we didn’t have the radio on because we were talking about something, when out of the back seat comes Bella, bursting into song and a little jig (well, I think it was a jig, it was all she could do while sitting in her car seat, more of a wiggle and shake, come to think of it, it might have been a seen from river dance, who knows). Anyway, she starts singing as loud as she could, for a total of three songs that we have never heard her sing before, much less aware that she even knew. Talk about a sponge. She finished it off by singing “Ohioans and Pfiffers and Nares – Oh My” from Veggie Tales, then shouted at the top of her lungs…TADAAAAA! It was the most precious moment ever, then Jess and I burst into laughter…guess you had to be there. :(
Sals last blog post..A Man’s Gotta Do…Part III
Mia sounds very intelligent, congratulations as that most likely means you have done a good job raising her, your wife too.
~ Jim
Mia sounds very intelligent, congratulations as that most likely means you have done a good job raising her, your wife too.
~ Jim
“Pianoforte”–wow. That’s amazing.
This morning my husband was listening to his tunes on the Roku and wondering why he couldn’t hear the cowbell in Sweet Emotion. It’s on his “More Cowbell” playlist. He said, “Either my ears are going or these speakers aren’t good enough.” Later I was paging through his playlists, which have names like “Mysterious Songs” and “Unusual Time Signatures.” I have a feeling you two would get along (he’s the guy who has the whisper room).
“Pianoforte”–wow. That’s amazing.
This morning my husband was listening to his tunes on the Roku and wondering why he couldn’t hear the cowbell in Sweet Emotion. It’s on his “More Cowbell” playlist. He said, “Either my ears are going or these speakers aren’t good enough.” Later I was paging through his playlists, which have names like “Mysterious Songs” and “Unusual Time Signatures.” I have a feeling you two would get along (he’s the guy who has the whisper room).
What’s that word? The one that means adorably precocious? Oh, yes.
MIA!
You go, girl.
Hayden Tompkinss last blog post..How to Not Abuse Your Children
What’s that word? The one that means adorably precocious? Oh, yes.
MIA!
You go, girl.
Hayden Tompkinss last blog post..How to Not Abuse Your Children