Look at this cool dude…he’s trying out the clarinet!  In 5th grade, the students have the opportunity to join orchestra or band.  After a few “try out” days, they can choose the instrument they want to play with some recommendations from the directors.  They recommended the clarinet or violin for Jakers.  He was very set on wanting to try the clarinet.  I have to admit, after a few discussions about it, I was sort of discouraging it (subtly).  Yikes…did I just put that in writing!?  I love music and I actually played the clarinet when I was young, and I was good at it I might add 😉  BUT, this family is crazy busy and especially Jake because he wants to play every sport ever invented.  Or as my mom would say, doesn’t he have a “tiddlywinks” competition coming up?  She likes to joke around about our crazy schedule!  I honestly did not think we could handle one more thing.  But I really don’t want to stifle any creative growth here so I agreed and immediately drove him to Meyer Music to get a clarinet.  We only have 1 free hour for the next several days, so I took advantage of the time and made this little guy super happy.  He has a brand new clarinet (that we are renting).  My stomach hurts already because I know that thing is going to get left on the bus or misplaced somehow (for sure it will be found in the crack of the bunkbeds at some point).  We’re talking about Jake here people…

As soon as he got home from the music store he was putting it together and on the way to soccer tonight he was bragging about it to his soccer carpool buddies.  It’s so adorable…I can’t help but smile!  He’s so happy that he can even make a sound with it!!  And I’ve been having a great time reminiscing my band days in grade school.  I told Jake that all my friends had brand new clarinets like his and my dad made me get a used one and none of the parts were even the same brand!  I’ll never forget my mom taking me to this house where a man was selling used and refurbished instruments out of his house.  Remember that mom & dad?  I was so jealous of Lisa’s shiny new clarinet.  Well Dad, I guess it doesn’t really matter how new and pretty your instrument is because I was in the honor band with my friend Chesley for 2 years and also in the 1st chair quite a bit!  I wonder if I could still play it?  I may have to give it a try!  Here is Jake with his little practice area set-up in his room…

I’m pretty sure you’re not supposed to hold the clarinet with your knees…but hey…you’re just a beginner.  You’re going to learn so much in the coming months.  You’ll be playing home concerts in no time!  I used to do that for my parents in our family room…I wonder now if they had earplugs in!?

Jake, even though I discouraged adding one more activity to your load, I’m proud of you for trying and being persistent with me.  Somehow we will make this all work!  I promise!  It’s completely awesome to have a love of music and also be an athlete.  I tell you all the time that you have a beautiful voice too, don’t I!?  You’ll probably have a lot of girlfriends one day….like in 10+ years. wink wink 😉

Love you to pieces buddy.

check out his first tunes on the clarinet on this youtube video…