In the summer of 2004, my son Alex was about to turn 14 and he thought that he would like a guitar for his birthday. Having been through piano lessons that fizzled out before long, and middle school music classes which were met with little enthusiasm, we were hesitant to consider the expense of an electric guitar and amplifier. His Dad ended up finding a decent instrument for a good price and he bought a cheap amp to go along with it.It was one of the best decisions we've ever made.
From that day, Alex has scarcely put the guitar down. He is mostly self-taught having opted to take a few months of lessons after he felt he had figured out all that he could on his own. His fingers and guitar strings seem to empower one another, and I can not imagine my son ever separating himself from his guitar for more than a day.
His strong preference is toward metal, but he has been listening to, loving and learning new sounds and styles daily.
On Friday, his school held a talent show, and Alex, along with his friend Steven performed Summer, from Vivaldi's Four Seasons. Alex has the bored/cool musician look down pat, but he couldn't quite hide his pleased grin at the end.
A proud mom was there to record it.
21 comments:
Whoa! What an animal!!
Both of 'em!
Good shootin' Ma. :)
Thanks moooooooom...
I wasn't bored at all I was concentrating.
Thanks Frank. :)
You're welcome, Alex. :) I know you weren't REALLY bored... however, I was REALLY proud.
Wow! That was pretty good! Talented kid you have there Hilary.
YouTube didn't do it justice I am sure, not to mention my crap speakers. The clip kept jumping, I've been having that a lot lately, maybe time to upgrade my system.
You have reason to be proud!
"Time to upgrade my system" says Reb...the Bag Lady can't even get the video clip to work - damned dial-up connection! YouTube doesn't work for her. Sigh.
But, knowing Reb is very musical, if she says it's good, the Bag Lady knows it had to be!
A wonderful tribute to your son Alex. Somehow guitars and sons are a perfect match.
I just wanted to wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Sue
It is easy to see why you would be proud. I would be proud to bursting. I just wish I had found a passion like that at such an early age. Bravo.
Warm wishes to you and yours for a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Wayne
Thanks so much Reb. I know what that's like when the system needs and upgrade. Maybe under the tree.. ;) Have a great holday! :)
Baggie! I think you're in even more need of an upgrade. At least Reb can see photos in one sitting. Thanks so much for stopping by, and you have a great Christmas with that Cowboy! :)
Hey Sue. Thank you for your kind words and good wishes. I hope the holiday is wonderful for you. Merry Christmas. :)
Thanks Wayne. I wish the same. I'm thrilled for him that he's got that focus. Thanks for your warm wishes and back right at you! :)
That was awesome!
What a cool idea--a metal Vivaldi! (Though my musical nomenclature may be way off--they may not think of it as metal). Anyway, no wonder you're proud. That was some incredible guitar work.
Plus I'm totally jealous of his "concentrating" look--it's so cool! I tend to stick my tongue out of my mouth and squint my eyes. Definitely not as impressive.
He's gonna have to watch out for the ladies with that much stage presence...
Hey Crabby, I do believe you're his first groupie! Thanks for your kind words. Alex has read them and grinned some more.. a very cool, concentratating type of grin. ;)
Obviously you made the right decision! You never can tell. Sometimes even failed piano lessons lead to a lifetime love and understanding of music, as was the case with my son.
Merry Christmas, Hilary! Hope your day is a good one.
Wow!!! That was awesome! Hey, you have all the right in the world to be proud. Heck, I was proud for you...
I hope your holidays were great, btw.
Thanks Gawilli, it's true - you never can tell. Happy Holidays to you too! :)
Thank you Pavel. Speaking of pride, those are some great kids you have over at your own blog! :)
Julyan is soooo seeing this when he wakes up. He just --very recently-- got an old guitar and has begun practicing and trying to pick out songs from cds.
He was amazing!!
Now for two questions:
1. When did he start growing his hair? Julyan has been begging me to let him grow his.
2. Do you have to beat the girls off with sticks and clubs?
Please tell me they won first place if there is a prize... AMAZING...
Had a little trouble with you tube, but what I could get sounded amazing. Terrie
Thank you Kappa! Here are your two answers:
1) He decided he no longer wanted spiked hair once he entered high school 3 and a half years ago. His plan is to let it grow until he is done, just so that he can say he never cut his hair throughout high school.
2) Yep, the girls do tend to like that hair. I can't say I blame them. I was/am very partial to long hair myself.
Don't make Julyan beg.. it's only hair. :)
Hey, Awannabe. No prizes.. the talent show was just for entertainment, but thanks for your vote! :)
Thank you Terrie, for your kind words and for stopping by. :)
The only problem is that Japan is pretty old school about a lot of things, hair included. When he did karate the head teacher would walk around, thump kids on the head and say, Cut! Above the ears! and then give a direct glare to the mother.
I'm hoping to send him back to the States for high school and there he'll be able to have a little more 'me' room.
Me too. I'm a sucker for long hair. My husband had long locks until it began thinning, then it was suddenly all shaved off.
Ah well yeah, there's more to it than just long hair in that case. Maybe he can just grow it long on holidays for now. :)
Dang! The kid is rockin'!
Thanks Beav! :)
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