Do Re Mi

So since we had our piano delivered back in the fall, I've been practicing some old pieces and some new ones. Playing piano is fun, but I didn't always think so. When there was a lesson looming on Friday every week, and I hadn't practiced, it felt pretty not fun. But I'm glad I stuck with the lessons, or should I say, my parents "encouraged" me to continue with lessons, because now I have the freedom to sit down and play new songs and have fun with it.

I've also enjoyed incorporating piano into Jackson's daily routine. He usually sits and listens to me play through at least 3 longer pieces, and sometimes even hums along (or so I think!). Then, I'll pull him up to the piano and place his hands on the keys to see what he'll do. At first he didn't have enough strength to push down on the keys, but recently, he is able to push on them to make a noise with both hands. And I've noticed that he will even look up at the piano music while sitting on my lap, as if he's seen me do it and is mimicking me. Amazing.

I've included a video of Jackson playing "Do Re Mi". As Colin videoed us playing, I felt like I had done this before, only when I was little and my mom would play with me. Not a vivid image, but a feeling like I had been there before, you know? I'll have to ask her if it's something she used to do with me.





























Here's the video:



A little side note about the piano:

It was originally purchased by Colin's Mom's grandparents in Chicago in 1902. It's been passed down through the Ames side of the family (Jackson's middle name comes from this family) until we got it this last year. When it was owned by Colin's grandparents in Toledo, a famous pianist, Vladimir Ashkenazy, came to play it at their house and signed the purchase receipt which we now have framed near the piano. Cool.

Check out http://www.vladimirashkenazy.com/