Wednesday, January 9, 2013

The condo is alive with the sounds of cats being beaten... oh wait, that's just us singing

     I have always found comfort in music.  I can find music that express EVERY mood of mine.  My dad was a musician and introduced me to many styles of music at a young age.  He isn't into pop music, but he, like me, listens to pretty much everything else.  I am certain that he is the reason for my love of music.  He was never trained and may or may not be able to read music, but his knowledge of good music is extensive.  He introduced me to Eric Clapton (if anyone wants to buy me Clapton tickets for my birthday, I'd be indebted to you forever), Stevie Ray Vaughn, BB King, Hank Williams, The Beatles, etc...  He even took me to see BB King when I was a kid.
     I joined the middle school band when I was in 7th grade.  I tried to get the sax because I thought my dad would like it (plus mommom LOVED Kenny G), but the band director said no.  I became a pretty darn good clarinetist.  I had some natural talent, but if you have read some of my other posts, you know I SUCK at playing Jazz.  I could sight read music great and I memorized music quickly.
     But I can't read music to sing to save my life.  Every time I sing where people can hear me, I'm waiting for the strange looks and maybe even the "can you sing a little softer?" comments.  I went to a church once and the pastor told a story about a guy that came to him complaining about the woman singing too loud and out of tune behind him and I'm still sure that it was about me...  J claims that he likes my singing, but I think that he just said that to make me feel better.  I will never sing karaoke and I whispered through our night out caroling with the church.  Trust me, I didn't want the pastor to ask me to move to the back of the group. 
     Unfortunately, I think all 3 girls inherited my lack of singing talent.  And yet they love to sing. When they walk around the house with their iPods in, they sound kinda scary. But fortunately, they do like good music for the most part.  But they aren't afraid to listen to the same song for hours on end.  The best part of that is listening to their interpretations of the lyrics.  I think that every song they like has something about a bathroom in it.  They can turn almost any word that starts with a b into bathroom.  I really didn't think that they were that into potty humor. 
     S decided this year that she wants to do chorus.  I have encouraged her, but her sisters HATE it.  She always wants to hear her current CD (the chorus teacher sends the songs for the year home on CD so they can practice) or she is listening to it on her iPod and singing aloud.  People sound SOOOO much better when you can hear the music they are singing to.   Even J sounds funny when he sings with headphones in and I like his voice.  Poor A tries hard not to hurt S's feelings, but she can only take so much of these obscure songs that S has to learn.  6 y/o aren't the best at sparing feelings.  She isn't afraid to tell S that she can't take anymore.  It is so hard not to laugh.  My only option is to hand A her iPod too so that they can drown each other out.  OK, time to get my iPod on and torture J... nighty night.

4 comments:

  1. This post made me laugh out loud. I can just picture all of your wandering around the house, singing at the top of your lungs with your headphones in. :-) Thanks for the rainy morning laugh, Courtney!

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  2. Glad to make you laugh. I don't usually bother with the headphones, I believe in letting the music drown me out a little. Unless I'm cleaning and then all my neighbors get tortured too.

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  3. Great post! And NEVER worry about those complaining about others singing too loudly at church! Scripture teaches us to make a joyful noise unto the Lord. It teaches that ALL should raise their voices in that noise.

    Never does scripture mention reading music, singing in the right key, or having a "beautiful" voice.

    Keep singing, sister, and encouraging your daughters to do the same!

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  4. I'm trying... I could actually hear myself this week, lol.

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