Every good boy does fine...

 

So here's a funny memory to lighten to the mood on social media these days.  And since it just came up in my Timehop from 8 years ago... I thought I'd share a little laugh at my own expense.  Well... along with the expense of a lot of other parents who apparently were willing to make a fool out of themselves, just like myself.  Those are my people... most definitely my people.

 

Little known fact about me, unless we went to school together, I played the flute from 5th-12th grade.  Marching band, symphonic band... I did it all because marching band specifically didn't happen at the same time as my cheering season so I was able to make it work. 

I loved it.  Can't call me a band dork.  I don't take offense. 

And by the way... our marching band even performed at Busch Stadium one year.  We had fun.

One time the marching band director told the other people in my section... "try to march more like Deana with high knees."

 

I mean listen... it's probably where some of my Zumba skills were born, but who knows.  I get into it, whatever I'm doing.  Shocking, I know.

Also, I'm pretty sure everyone gave me a dirty look and I just shook my head.  I really didn't need to be called out, Mr Charpiot, but whatever.  LOL

 

And before you ask where did you go to high school? I went to Lindbergh.  Which is apparently making news these days for not a good reason.

 

Anyway....

 

Unlike riding a bike, I'm not sure I could pick up my old flute and play it again.  I mean, I know I could play it, I'm just not sure I could remember which notes were which, let alone try to read music that was no big deal for me during 8 years of my life. 

 

But fast forward to Bryn's middle school years when she decided to play the clarinet. 

Well... she also played the recorder for a year in elementary school, but we'll skip right past that nonsense. 

 

So her 6th grade music teacher told all the kids that if their parent never played their particular instrument, they could teach us to play it (based on what they've learned).  And THEN... at the end of the semester we could all perform together in a Parent Concert.

Ok yes...  that sounds like the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard.  I'm in.

 

Let me just tell you right now, aside from the fact that reading sheet music is not a talent I retained over the years, playing a reed instrument is NOT the same as playing a woodwind instrument. 

Nope... not even kinda close. 

Of course in my mind when I agreed to all of this I totally thought... I'm a former musician, this is going to be easy.

 

At one point during our regular evening practice sessions after weeks of trying, where I could barely get a squeak out of the clarinet let alone an actual note.... Bryn started crying and yelling at me in frustration.

Bryn:  EGBDF, Mom!!!! 

Me:  Yes... every good boy does fine... I remember that much, BrynE, but I'm sorry, I just don't remember how to read music.  And I am TRYING to do this but blowing into a flute is not the same as a clarinet!

Bryn:  You're never going to get it!

Me:  Is this how your teacher teaches you?  Geez. 

 

All I'm gonna say is I eventually managed to play the entire song we were all learning for the concert.  It wasn't pretty, mind you, but I did it. 

 

So allow me to share our outstanding performance where we totally rocked Hot Cross Buns.

And yes, that's me right up front in my high heels.  At the end you can also see me immediately turn my head to the dad next to me where I said, "Oh my God... we actually sounded a lot better than I thought we would!"  We both laughed.  Along with the rest of the audience.  LOL

 

 

Can you even imagine this happening in 2020?  Where's the masks?  I know, I know... you're all cringing at the thought.

 

Good times, I tell ya!  And I'd totally do it again!

XOXO

Comments

[Julie Tucker-Wolek]

HA!!!! Love it!!!!