Intonation Inquiry

September 20, 2009 at 3:08 AM

This time, I wanted my five-year-old to listen to what finger birdies #1 and #2 were doing when he put them down on the string. We stopped what we were doing and sang the words to "Hot Cross Buns" slowly, so he could match each pitch with my voice. "Now," I explained, "your violin is going to sing the same song your voice did, and if you listen, your ears will tell you if each finger birdie is singing the right note." He placed his fingers on the string and began to pluck.

"Okay now, ask your ears--" I began. But before I could finish my sentence, he'd already come up with a better idea. Erupting with excitement, he stepped back, thrust his violin skyward, and interjected, "OR... I could ask GOD!"

"--Well, yes. I suppose it couldn't hurt."

From Anna Meyer
Posted on September 20, 2009 at 11:07 AM

Awwwww...what and absolutetly adorable comment form your student.

From Tom Holzman
Posted on September 20, 2009 at 12:35 PM

I shoulda thought of that when I was studying violin as a youngster. Great idea. Great story. Thanks for sharing it.

From Bart Meijer
Posted on September 20, 2009 at 5:57 PM

That's what He gave us ears for...

From Anne-Marie Proulx
Posted on September 20, 2009 at 6:05 PM

Cute!

Anne-Marie

From Laurie Niles
Posted on September 20, 2009 at 8:04 PM

Probably God has perfect pitch.

From Dottie Case
Posted on September 20, 2009 at 8:47 PM

Ha! Probably so.... :)

Emily, I like your (teaching) style. :)

From Emily Grossman
Posted on September 20, 2009 at 8:54 PM

He was born with it, too.

From Pauline Lerner
Posted on September 21, 2009 at 2:37 AM

Did he ask God to help him? If so, what kind of response did he get?

Laurie, I like your statement that God must have perfect pitch.

From Emily Grossman
Posted on September 21, 2009 at 8:10 AM

God said now's a good time to employ those things I stuck on either side of your head.

From Royce Faina
Posted on September 21, 2009 at 2:28 PM

Good answer!

From Tasha Miner
Posted on September 21, 2009 at 3:06 PM

<3 it!!! =D

From Ruth Kuefler
Posted on September 21, 2009 at 7:11 PM

Haha, how sweet!

From sharelle taylor
Posted on September 21, 2009 at 11:34 PM

Emily, you're naughty. You should sit on the naughty chair.

From Pauline Lerner
Posted on September 22, 2009 at 4:00 AM

Emily, I'm not surprised that God told your student to use the things He put on the sides of the kid's head. I wouldn't be surprised if God also told your student to use what God had put inside the kid's head.

From Christopher Davis
Posted on September 22, 2009 at 10:48 AM

Maybe we would all have much better intonation if we just asked God...

From Rita Livs
Posted on September 22, 2009 at 4:16 PM

Thank you for sharing, Emily! Great approach... and your kid is really cute and smart!

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Intonation Inquiry

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