One of my little joys in life / myLot

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 (37355)

• 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 (218927)

• 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 (37355)

• 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 (218927)

• 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 (43418)

• 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 (218927)

• 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 (49460)

• 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 (218927)

• 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 (218927)

• 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 (111938)

• United States

21 Jul 16

I have a very hard time to relax.

1 person likes this

The Horse

@TheHorse (218927)

• Walnut Creek, California

21 Jul 16

I have a hard time sitting still! Unless I'm alone.

Reine25

@Lucky15 (37374)

• Philippines

22 Jul 16

Glad that some kids are into.this not.with gadgets ;)

1 person likes this

The Horse

@TheHorse (218927)

• Walnut Creek, California

22 Jul 16

There are no gadgets at our preschool--none with batteries, anyway.

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Kathy Lopez

@annierburnett (32)

•

22 Jul 16

for now I dont have it :( but i'm adjusting my life to it! :D

Sky

@skysnap (20153)

•

21 Jul 16

Mandolin? interesting. I just checked it on youtube.

Sky

@skysnap (20153)

•

21 Jul 16

@nomus24g I checked some variations of it. which I never seen before.

1 person likes this

The Horse

@TheHorse (218927)

• 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 (218927)

• Walnut Creek, California

21 Jul 16

@nomus24g The flat back kind are also a big part of American bluegrass music.

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Four Walls

@FourWalls (68102)

• 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 (218927)

• 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 (471459)

• 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 (50523)

• Centralia, Missouri

22 Jul 16

I feel relaxed the second I get to kick off my shoes

crazyhorseladycx

@crazyhorseladycx (39509)

• 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 (340216)

• 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.