Listening to Her Learn

Taylor Swift, classical guitar, and a granddaughter finding her sound

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Lynn L. Alexander said, “September is Classical Music Month, a time to celebrate orchestral and chamber music. Do you like classical music? Who are your favourite composers and classical music songs?

I promised myself that I would take time every day in September to write and read. And here I am with less than two hours until September 3. No writing and no reading.

But I did have an encounter with classical music — probably not what Lynn was thinking about, but it brought me joy, just when I needed it most!

I took my granddaughter to her music lesson — classical guitar. Her teacher lets her choose what she wants to learn, and since she loves Taylor Swift, she usually chooses a Swift song. (Sorry, Lynn, I warned you.)

For her, this is a year of music. She is in her first year of band and plays percussion. Bringing her instrument back and forth on the bus, along with her backpack and sometimes pep squad clothes, is quite a challenge. She loves percussion but thinks she will go for flute next year. The size difference is everything in that choice.

I love hearing her practice. Tonight I heard the triangle. Usually, I hear her singing with her friends. They have phone meetings and listen to and sing songs together. It makes me think about how easily she and her friends can share their joy in music. And how different it was for composers long ago.

I know very little about classical music. I couldn’t name you many composers, and I certainly couldn’t carry on an intelligent conversation about orchestral or chamber music. But I do know that music can reach us in places that words sometimes can’t.

And maybe that is what I like about classical music, even if I don’t know enough about it to have a favorite composer or piece. I like the idea of centuries of people sitting down with an instrument and creating something that can still make someone feel something hundreds of years later.

For now, though, I’m happy listening to my granddaughter. I love watching her learn where the notes are and how to make them sound the way she wants them to sound.

Maybe Taylor Swift isn’t quite what Lynn had in mind when she wrote this prompt. But then again, music is music. And watching a child discover the joy of making it seems like a pretty good way to celebrate Classical Music Month.

Many thanks to Adrienne Beaumont and tC Editors.

[embed]Sizzlin’ Scorchin’ September Writing prompts from all over the worldmedium.com