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Thread: NMD and a little story

  1. #1
    Every day is a gift. Sheila Lagrand's Avatar
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    Default NMD and a little story

    Today I received Dolly, my new Ibanez M522 f-style mandolin. She's definitely a different kind of critter from any of my other mandolins. I bought her to address a situation that arose recently when Rich and I went to California to visit our grandson, who shattered his femur in a dirtbike accident. This particular grandson's father, my husband's firstborn, died in a motorcycle accident in 2006, when the boy was two years old, so this misadventure has been particularly stressful.

    We were visiting on Sunday morning at our daughter-in-law's home and I was quietly noodling around on Phoebe as we chatted. Our almost-eight-year-old granddaughter, who is a delightful firecracker of a child, was sitting across the room, doing little girl things. After a while she looked up and nodded my way, saying, "that's so relaxing!"

    We didn't even know the child had any concept related to relaxing.

    A bit later she wandered my way and sat down beside me, looking with interest at my Collings. Her mother immediately said, "Casey, don't touch that."

    By the time we had arrived home in Arizona that evening, at least two good outcomes were clear to me. Our hearts had been lightened by the time with family and our grandson's excellent prognosis. And I had determined that I needed to acquire a mandolin that I could hand to Casey, or one of her siblings or cousins, and say, "Here. Check it out."
    Phoebe, my 2021 Collings MT mandolin
    Dolly, my 2021 Ibanez M522 mandolin
    Louise, my 193x SS Maxwell mandolin
    Fiona, My 2021 GSM guitar-bodied octave resonator mandolin
    Charlotte, my 2016 Eastman MDO 305 octave mandolin
    And Giuliana, my 2002 Hans Schuster 505 violin, Nehenehe, my 2021 Aklot concert ukulele,
    Annie, my 2022 Guild M-140 guitar, Joni, my 1963 Harmony 1215 Archtone archtop guitar,
    Yoko, my ca. 1963 Yamaha Dynamic No.15 guitar, and Rich, my 1959 husband.

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    Default Re: NMD and a little story

    Genius! Way to go Sheila!

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    Registered User Simon DS's Avatar
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    Default Re: NMD and a little story

    Could propose the Suzuki method combined instrument lessons including the mum?
    How old is the boy/young man?

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    Registered User Sherry Cadenhead's Avatar
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    Default Re: NMD and a little story

    Keep this story going, Sheila. Hope the healing process continues to go well.

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    Registered User Sue Rieter's Avatar
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    Default Re: NMD and a little story

    What a cool reason for a NMD!

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    The Amateur Mandolinist Mark Gunter's Avatar
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    Default Re: NMD and a little story

    Great story Sheila! I know the back story on your grandson, that he wanted to go back to learning guitar in his down time, how is that going?

    I believe in letting children “feel” my musical instruments when they are inclined, with supervision. Here, one of my sons is holding my Eastman while two of my great grandchildren are having a go:

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    Default Re: NMD and a little story

    I sold my “beaters” in our downsizing about 3 years ago, but I’ll still let the younglings try out my noisemakers. I’m a little more careful with the Rigel since they’re not being made anymore, but only a little more careful. Actually, my Mandobird and a travel Uke I have are perfect for children to wail on.

    Enjoy the new and worry free mandolin, and I hope your grandson heals quickly and well!
    Chuck

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  14. #8
    Every day is a gift. Sheila Lagrand's Avatar
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    Default Re: NMD and a little story

    Quote Originally Posted by Simon DS View Post
    Could propose the Suzuki method combined instrument lessons including the mum?
    How old is the boy/young man?
    Our daughter-in-law and her husband (she did go on with her life after being widowed at age 24, thankfully) have no family history of music lessons. I believe suggesting she add another thing to her plate right now would not be well-advised.

    Ayden, our dirt-bike crashing grandson, will be 17 in July.
    Phoebe, my 2021 Collings MT mandolin
    Dolly, my 2021 Ibanez M522 mandolin
    Louise, my 193x SS Maxwell mandolin
    Fiona, My 2021 GSM guitar-bodied octave resonator mandolin
    Charlotte, my 2016 Eastman MDO 305 octave mandolin
    And Giuliana, my 2002 Hans Schuster 505 violin, Nehenehe, my 2021 Aklot concert ukulele,
    Annie, my 2022 Guild M-140 guitar, Joni, my 1963 Harmony 1215 Archtone archtop guitar,
    Yoko, my ca. 1963 Yamaha Dynamic No.15 guitar, and Rich, my 1959 husband.

  15. #9
    Every day is a gift. Sheila Lagrand's Avatar
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    Default Re: NMD and a little story

    Quote Originally Posted by Mark Gunter View Post
    Great story Sheila! I know the back story on your grandson, that he wanted to go back to learning guitar in his down time, how is that going?

    I believe in letting children “feel” my musical instruments when they are inclined, with supervision.
    Guitar lessons haven't started yet, for a variety of reasons.

    My Collings is the only instrument I own that I wouldn't let them explore on their own. It was worth it to me to acquire a mandolin that even my youngest grandchild could take out and sit under the apple tree and explore without me (or her mother!) worrying.
    Phoebe, my 2021 Collings MT mandolin
    Dolly, my 2021 Ibanez M522 mandolin
    Louise, my 193x SS Maxwell mandolin
    Fiona, My 2021 GSM guitar-bodied octave resonator mandolin
    Charlotte, my 2016 Eastman MDO 305 octave mandolin
    And Giuliana, my 2002 Hans Schuster 505 violin, Nehenehe, my 2021 Aklot concert ukulele,
    Annie, my 2022 Guild M-140 guitar, Joni, my 1963 Harmony 1215 Archtone archtop guitar,
    Yoko, my ca. 1963 Yamaha Dynamic No.15 guitar, and Rich, my 1959 husband.

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    Professional Dreamer journeybear's Avatar
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    Default Re: NMD and a little story

    Look at her, even at her young age, taking on barre chords!
    But that's just my opinion. I could be wrong. - Dennis Miller

    Furthering Mandolin Consciousness

    Finders Keepers, my duo with the astoundingly talented and versatile Patti Rothberg. Our EP is finally done, and available! PM me, while they last!

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    Registered User Charles E.'s Avatar
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    Default Re: NMD and a little story

    Always a good idea to expose young people to musical instruments and music in general. Never can tell when you might have the next Sierra Hull on your hands.
    Charley

    A bunch of stuff with four strings

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  21. #12

    Default Re: NMD and a little story

    Nice story Sheila, It's a good illustration of the caption over you avatar.

    Reading it brought me a flashback of my three year old firstborn daughter (now 27) playing my mandolin on a strap like a guitar and singing.

    Life is precious. RB

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  23. #13
    Every day is a gift. Sheila Lagrand's Avatar
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    Default Re: NMD and a little story

    Quote Originally Posted by Rob Roy View Post
    Nice story Sheila, It's a good illustration of the caption over you avatar.

    Reading it brought me a flashback of my three year old firstborn daughter (now 27) playing my mandolin on a strap like a guitar and singing.

    Life is precious. RB
    Thank you for sharing that glimpse into a sweet moment in your family's history, RB. I have a photo somewhere of all three of my daughter's children lined up at the "family piano"--my mother and aunt learned on it, I learned on it, my sister had it for a while so her sons could learn on it, and now it is at my daughter's house for her children to learn. Anyway, my SIL had been PCSed from Guam back to CONUS, the piano was at our house, awaiting movement to their stateside duty station, and if I'm not mistaken, CJ was 9, Sawyer was 5, and Daphne was 3. They were all lined up plugging away, and I was about as happy as a Lala can be.
    Phoebe, my 2021 Collings MT mandolin
    Dolly, my 2021 Ibanez M522 mandolin
    Louise, my 193x SS Maxwell mandolin
    Fiona, My 2021 GSM guitar-bodied octave resonator mandolin
    Charlotte, my 2016 Eastman MDO 305 octave mandolin
    And Giuliana, my 2002 Hans Schuster 505 violin, Nehenehe, my 2021 Aklot concert ukulele,
    Annie, my 2022 Guild M-140 guitar, Joni, my 1963 Harmony 1215 Archtone archtop guitar,
    Yoko, my ca. 1963 Yamaha Dynamic No.15 guitar, and Rich, my 1959 husband.

  24. #14
    Registered User Louise NM's Avatar
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    Default Re: NMD and a little story

    Sheila, I'm glad your grandson is healing well. That sounds like a potentially catastrophic injury. And, congratulations on the kid-proof mandolin. I hope one to more of them take it up.

    Mark, those two little girls are heartbreakers! With three chubby little hands on the job, they'll get some chords down.

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  26. #15

    Default Re: NMD and a little story

    What a blessing you are to your family and to us Sheila! Thanks for sharing your story and your perspective. Good advice for all of us grandparents with instruments

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    Default Re: NMD and a little story

    Way to go Sheila. When my kids were little I got them a uke and a baritone uke. I tuned them to an open tuning so they could simply strum and make music without having to learn chords. They were very young and I didn't want to pressure them with lessons. They are both musicians now and my daughter has performed in 7 or 9 countries, I can't remember, age.

    We had a musical instrument tasting thru our library this spring outside. I donated a few instruments as well as repairing all the donated instruments. Kids or adults could come and play any instrument. It was a great day. The instruments can also be checked out of the library so you can try and instrument before you buy one to make sure it's what you want to play before you buy it. Some of the kids said it the most fun day ever. I'd say that was a success.
    THE WORLD IS A BETTER PLACE JUST FOR YOUR SMILE!

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  30. #17
    The Amateur Mandolinist Mark Gunter's Avatar
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    Default Re: NMD and a little story

    That’s a really cool story & memory, pops
    WWW.THEAMATEURMANDOLINIST.COM
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    HEY! The Cafe has Social Groups, check 'em out. I'm in these groups:
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    The Woodshed Study Group | Blues Mando
    - Advice For Mandolin Beginners
    - YouTube Stuff

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    Registered User urobouros's Avatar
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    Default Re: NMD and a little story

    I love it! My mother still plays the same upright that she learned to play on & that all three kids either played on or accompanied by. Music opens hearts & minds and changes the fate of nations. Good on you for sharing, both with us & the next generation!

    Each day is indeed a gift! That's why we call it the present

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    Moderator JEStanek's Avatar
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    Default Re: NMD and a little story

    Thanks for sharing and sharing. That's wonderful. Heal well!

    Jamie
    There are two things to aim at in life: first, to get what you want; and, after that, to enjoy it. Only the wisest of mankind achieve the second. Logan Pearsall Smith, 1865 - 1946

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  35. #20
    Registered User Sue Rieter's Avatar
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    Default Re: NMD and a little story

    Quote Originally Posted by pops1 View Post
    We had a musical instrument tasting thru our library this spring outside. I donated a few instruments as well as repairing all the donated instruments. Kids or adults could come and play any instrument. It was a great day. The instruments can also be checked out of the library so you can try and instrument before you buy one to make sure it's what you want to play before you buy it. Some of the kids said it the most fun day ever. I'd say that was a success.
    My daughter is a librarian in a very rural place. I will share this story with her.
    I think more community and family music is something we need right now (and always).

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  37. #21
    That guy playing mandolin
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    Default Re: NMD and a little story

    There are few things that make me happier than getting to play for someone who appreciates my strumming, whether young or old. It's amazing how even really young kids can be entranced by music, particularly new sound from an instrument the haven't heard before.
    The Loar LM 310f
    Vangoa A Acoustic

    I enjoy walking barefoot and playing my mandolin, and if I can do both at once, you'd be hard pressed to find a happier soul.

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  39. #22
    Every day is a gift. Sheila Lagrand's Avatar
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    Default Re: NMD and a little story

    I hesitated before I wrote this post, but I sure am glad I did. I'm really enjoying all the posts about your experiences with kids and music and wonderful programs at libraries and all the other great stuff that's being posted here. Thanks, everyone, for sharing your treasures.

    Quick update on Ayden: He's still some weeks away from weight bearing, but the staples closing his surgical incision have been removed, so he's more comfortable. Did I ever mention that he also fractured his sternum? I thank God that young man wears good head and face protection, and that he didn't suffer a spinal cord injury.
    Phoebe, my 2021 Collings MT mandolin
    Dolly, my 2021 Ibanez M522 mandolin
    Louise, my 193x SS Maxwell mandolin
    Fiona, My 2021 GSM guitar-bodied octave resonator mandolin
    Charlotte, my 2016 Eastman MDO 305 octave mandolin
    And Giuliana, my 2002 Hans Schuster 505 violin, Nehenehe, my 2021 Aklot concert ukulele,
    Annie, my 2022 Guild M-140 guitar, Joni, my 1963 Harmony 1215 Archtone archtop guitar,
    Yoko, my ca. 1963 Yamaha Dynamic No.15 guitar, and Rich, my 1959 husband.

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  41. #23
    Registered User Sherry Cadenhead's Avatar
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    Default Re: NMD and a little story

    Sheila, thanks for the update. Glad recovery is going well.

    I don't have a story, other than to say every chance I get I encourage parents to introduce their children to music - and at an early age. Wish my parents had done that.

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  43. #24
    Every day is a gift. Sheila Lagrand's Avatar
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    Default Re: NMD and a little story

    Update: Ayden is essentially all healed up, busy digging in to his senior year in high school. I offer heartfelt thanks to all of you who offered prayer and good thoughts following his accident.

    In August, we gathered in the hometown (San Diego) to celebrate our son-in-law's retirement from military service. Their youngest, my daughter's mini-me Daphne, was enthralled with the "family mandolin," as we referred to the one I got for the kids to explore. So when her 9th birthday rolled around a few weeks ago, we sent her a ukulele beginner's pack, along with a book written for kids. She and I were video chatting a few days later, and I asked her if she wanted to learn to play it, or if she would like to return it and pick out something different. "I want to learn to play it," she said, "but I don't know how to use this one thing. Hold on." She came back with the instrument and related paraphenalia and pulled out the tuner.

    To make a long story short, an hour later, she had tuned her new ukulele, made notes in her lesson book about which way to turn the tuning buttons on the bass side and the treble side to correct sharp and flat strings (and she was using those correct terms, "sharp" and "flat"), and knew the names of all the parts of her ukulele. I asked her if she would like for us to go through the rest of the book together. She said, "Fridays or Sundays?" I said, "Fridays." And I ordered myself a copy of the book we had sent her.

    Last Friday, at precisely 2:50 pm, I got a text from her: "Ukulele lesson in 10 minutes." So I guess it's a thing.
    Phoebe, my 2021 Collings MT mandolin
    Dolly, my 2021 Ibanez M522 mandolin
    Louise, my 193x SS Maxwell mandolin
    Fiona, My 2021 GSM guitar-bodied octave resonator mandolin
    Charlotte, my 2016 Eastman MDO 305 octave mandolin
    And Giuliana, my 2002 Hans Schuster 505 violin, Nehenehe, my 2021 Aklot concert ukulele,
    Annie, my 2022 Guild M-140 guitar, Joni, my 1963 Harmony 1215 Archtone archtop guitar,
    Yoko, my ca. 1963 Yamaha Dynamic No.15 guitar, and Rich, my 1959 husband.

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  45. #25
    Registered User Sue Rieter's Avatar
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    Default Re: NMD and a little story

    So wait, do you have a ukulele, too? I don't see it on your list
    I would think you would need one now.

    (That's a cool story, BTW. What a great way to bond with your granddaughter across the miles !)

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