Wednesday, March 28, 2007

Blogging again

Wow, I think this is two posts in one day. I was chatting with Sandy at church tonight and discussing the time old subject of kids not noticing details in life. I know I never used to see details either when I was a kid so in this chat I was trying to remember when I figured out details. I thought it was when I worked a summer job and was responsible for other kids but......that wasn't it! It was through playing music, especially in the symphony that I started paying attention to detail. I will have to be sure to mention that to Sandy. That was an aha moment (not sure that is how you spell aha). I am not sure music has that effect on everyone but it did on me. Perhaps it helps us to figure out how to focus on the details we need to or want to in life. Particular musicians I know aren't necessarily tuned into some details that may seem important to some people but they are tuned into the details that are most important to them. Interesting......

So.....perhaps my kids will remember things like turning out lights, reading directions, turning on the washing machine, hearing the dog barking to get in, etc. if they practice more! Here's hoping that is true.

3 comments:

Nat said...

I think this is interesting. What exactly do you mean by "details?" Details in general? I tend to see myself as focusing on the details, often to the extent that I ignore the whole, the big picture (forgive my vague terms; it's a somewhat vague topic).

As far as music goes - well, I've played piano for as long as I can remember, but I've never really been as deeply into it as, say, someone who was taking lessons (I did take regular lessons from my mom when I was younger, but I was always lazy about them because I was bored by the songs I had to play). On the other hand, when I do play piano, I honestly think there's little I ever miss or fail to understand. I appreciate dynamics, and proper trills; if one note is played wrong out of a whole song, I will probably notice it (it usually makes me flinch). That is not to say that I am a very gifted player, mind you, but I am very aware of my faults.

The things I don't really know about piano, or music in general, are things like key signatures, intervals, that sort of thing - more general things. This is partly because they ARE more general, but mostly because I just don't find them interesting. I would rather look at the notes, count the number of sharps, translate it directly onto the keys in front of me.

Karin said...

I mean....that there are things going on around us (like babies sleeping) time ticking away and school work is not done, seperating the laundry because forgetting to remove the red napkins could cause a problem, that it is nearing dinner time and the table is cluttered.....those sort of details are like a symphony playing together. You have to notice and hear everyone else to play with them. If I am the only one who notices the details around the house the symphony is really in discord. Playing ensemble did help wake me up to how things work together. Perhaps that is too deep but I can see a relationship to families living together. When a few kids wake up to the symphony, then there is less stress. I see you as becoming aware of the details i.e. shoveling the side walk when your mom's students are coming. Does that make sense?

I think it is also normal to forget the big picture but when problems happen I think we remember to think of the big picture.....

Nat said...

It makes enough sense. When I think about it, though I have different reasons to, for example, shovel the sidewalk without my mom telling me to, years ago the idea wouldn't even have occurred to me in the first place.