One of my little joys in life

@TheHorse (205696)
Walnut Creek, California
July 21, 2016 11:49am CST
One of my little joys in life is "teaching" mandolin to the littlies at the preschool in Berkeley. Actually, all I do is play it, and then let each little one who wants to strum it. I usually have about four kids sitting around me at any one time. Sometimes I bring my "fancy" mandolin, so I can model how to hold the instrument, how I strum it, etc. Other times I get to "go first." The kids at this preschool are mostly middle class to upper middle class, and have parents who have the resources to buy instruments for their kids down the road if it "sticks." At this age, I just want them to know what it feels lie to strum strings and know that you can make music. The kids are cute: they're very particular about which pick they use (the big one, your favorite one, the pink one, the purple one), and they know how to put the instrument away in its case, put the picks in the case's little pick compartment, and do the latches on the case. They also all know the difference between (and rules around) my "kid mandolin" and my "fancy mandolin." I guess my question would be: Do you have a comparable time during your week when you feel totally at home and relaxed?
14 people like this
14 responses
Anne Marie Guyer
@LeaPea2417 (36438)
• Toccoa, Georgia
21 Jul 16
That is neat. How many little kids do you teach in your preschool class?
1 person likes this
The Horse
@TheHorse (205696)
• Walnut Creek, California
21 Jul 16
The preschool class has between 10 and 25 or so kids, depending on the day. There are usually three or four teachers in there at any given time. It's a great preschool.
1 person likes this
Anne Marie Guyer
@LeaPea2417 (36438)
• Toccoa, Georgia
21 Jul 16
@TheHorse That is good you have enough teachers in there to help. That can make a difference in a good preschool and a not so good preschool.
1 person likes this
The Horse
@TheHorse (205696)
• Walnut Creek, California
21 Jul 16
@LeaPea2417 Agreed. So can the quality of teachers. My friend only hires really good teachers.
1 person likes this
Scott Ganschow
@teamfreak16 (43421)
• Denver, Colorado
22 Jul 16
That's great that you do that. Who knows what just one of those kids might grow up to be.
1 person likes this
The Horse
@TheHorse (205696)
• Walnut Creek, California
22 Jul 16
I know that at least three of the kids I've worked with at this preschool are still playing musical instruments. I feel sad that many of the poorer kids I've worked with don't get that opportunity.
1 person likes this
Go Crossbones
@crossbones27 (48417)
• Mojave, California
21 Jul 16
Glad you are still alive. lol I could see why you would feel at home and relaxed.
1 person likes this
The Horse
@TheHorse (205696)
• Walnut Creek, California
21 Jul 16
It's partially just the sharing of something I love with others who are receptiive to it.
1 person likes this
louievill
@louievill (28851)
• Philippines
21 Jul 16
I think you are doing the right thing by laying a foundation and giving choices and alternatives to the kids, so my salute
1 person likes this
The Horse
@TheHorse (205696)
• Walnut Creek, California
21 Jul 16
Thanks! I really do want to see more kids getting into music.
1 person likes this
Alfredo Rossi
@amadeo (111948)
• United States
21 Jul 16
I have a very hard time to relax.
1 person likes this
The Horse
@TheHorse (205696)
• Walnut Creek, California
21 Jul 16
I have a hard time sitting still! Unless I'm alone.
Reine25
@Lucky15 (37346)
• Philippines
21 Jul 16
Glad that some kids are into.this not.with gadgets ;)
1 person likes this
The Horse
@TheHorse (205696)
• Walnut Creek, California
22 Jul 16
There are no gadgets at our preschool--none with batteries, anyway.
1 person likes this
Kathy Lopez
@annierburnett (32)
•
22 Jul 16
for now I dont have it :( but i'm adjusting my life to it! :D
Sky
@skysnap (20154)
•
21 Jul 16
Mandolin? interesting. I just checked it on youtube.
Sky
@skysnap (20154)
•
21 Jul 16
@nomus24g I checked some variations of it. which I never seen before.
1 person likes this
The Horse
@TheHorse (205696)
• Walnut Creek, California
21 Jul 16
@skysnap I'm not even sure where the mandolin originally came from. I associate round back mandolins with Greece and Italy, but I'm not sure.
The Horse
@TheHorse (205696)
• Walnut Creek, California
21 Jul 16
@nomus24g The flat back kind are also a big part of American bluegrass music.
Four Walls
@FourWalls (62120)
• United States
21 Jul 16
Start 'em when they're young. Good man. Of course, I have to share one of my favorite Jethro Burns mandolin jokes: Interviewer: What do you call that instrument? Jethro: I call it "Bruce."
1 person likes this
The Horse
@TheHorse (205696)
• Walnut Creek, California
21 Jul 16
Heh heh. I thought you were going to tell the "never in tune" joke.
1 person likes this
Anna
@LadyDuck (458006)
• Switzerland
22 Jul 16
I cannot say that I have a me time to relax. When I have not too much to do I feel guilty and I go down in the kitchen and bake something.
Jekca
@Jessicalynnt (50525)
• Centralia, Missouri
22 Jul 16
I feel relaxed the second I get to kick off my shoes
crazyhorseladycx
@crazyhorseladycx (39515)
• United States
21 Jul 16
so glad y'ave the opportunity to be with those wee ones, no doubt recharges yer batteries a bit, eh? the delight'n their faces's no doubt priceless. hopefully some'll take to music 'n their folks'll encourage such. 'tis a great medium that can carry one through darkened days later'n life.. i'm most always't home :) when i'm alone with the critters 's when i'm most relaxed. no need fer conversation, no egg shells to be walked 'pon. we all jest 'ccept's the way we're.
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (325720)
• Rockingham, Australia
22 Jul 16
And would you say the kids have as much fun as you do? :)
trongtran
@matsukario (119)
•
29 Jul 16
I do not understand much about musical instruments but I like the sound of the guitar.