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katrina butler's avatar

I love this! When my son was three, (he'll be 49 in a couple of weeks)my goal was to introduce him to all kinds of music. I took him to the children's museum to see and hear children just a little older than he was at the time, play their little violins beautifully. A couple of weeks later we went to an outdoor blue grass festival. When we got in the car to head home, he said to me, "Mama, a biolin(violin) is a biolin. But a fiddle is a pahty(party). He's always been very wise.

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Margaret's avatar

How sweet! And how true!

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Linda Moon's avatar

Party On!!

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Bill in Tennessee's avatar

At the age of 78, I took up the Old Time fiddle about 8 months ago, and Sean actually ENCOURAGED me to keep at it. It was after his performance in Townsend, TN, that my wife and I spoke to him afterwards, and I told him I admired his fiddle playing. At the time I had only been playing for about 4 months but he encouraged me to stay with it... so I did.

I can't, in good conscience, call myself an Old Time fiddler just yet, it takes years to become a bad fiddle player....or at least that's what a musician friend told me. I've played guitar, banjo, mandolin, and several other stringed instruments for years, but I'm new to the fiddle.

I just keep going to Old Time jams, workshops, and practicing 30 minutes a day and my wife is now saying that she hears real music coming out of my fiddle. She is a classically trained soprano, so maybe she's right. Or maybe she's just being kind.... I don't know.

But Sean is right, people do stop and listen if I'm playing anywhere near other people. Of course one can blame the fiddle itself, because it's a sound that cuts through all other sounds, sort of like a banjo or a table saw.

And by the way, just to clear up a long-time controversy, this is the difference between a violin and a fiddle: A violin has strings... a fiddle has "strangs."

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Susie S's avatar

Love your stick-to-it-ness, Bill. Bully for you, man!! And absolutely love your last paragraph! 👍☺️

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Philip Jennings's avatar

Hopefully, their horizons have been widened. My mother got me with Gershwin, Rhapsody in Blue. Also Peer Gynt, Hall of the Mountain King give me a chill when I hear them.

Those pieces are so powerful. Many hymns do the same. Our music we adopt does so much for the soul. I do hope we save the classics, Beethoven through Gershwin perhaps, so youth are exposed to widen their musical choices. I love country music but I’m afraid the classic history will be forgotten.

Thank you , Sean for your spirit and dedication to share your talent. Your stories and experiences are inspiring and entertaining. This column today was about putting real value at the feet of youth so they can experience something new.

God bless you and Jamie.

Phil

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Julie RN's avatar

Whether it be with a book, a ball, a bike, a sheet of paper with a pencil or crayons for writing or drawing, or even a fiddle…

…”if we can just get the phones out of our kids hands for a few minutes”…there’s a chance that ”they’re going to be okay.” 🙏

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Julie RN's avatar

P.S. I love your title…Attention Deficit DEVICE!!

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Susie S's avatar

Be the adult in the room. It's not easy. But if you brought the kid into the world, DO YOUR JOB, PARENTS!!

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Julie RN's avatar

New parents should research what is available in their area for parenting classes. Keep an open mind, and be a sponge. Give your child his/her best chance of success in life.

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Susie S's avatar

Amen, Julie.

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Anne Arthur's avatar

You awakened music in those kids. Let's hope the seed fell on fertile ground and they nag their parents to let them have lessons.

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Elaine Milsark's avatar

I’ve revived “string tricks” with my fifth grade students: cat’s cradle, the broom,” etc. They LOVE it, and I’m so delighted that they can still enjoy this innocent pastime. You’re right about getting the phones out of their hands and showing them there are better things to hold.

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Ali West's avatar

Yes; get the phones out of their hands! Out of their parents' hands too.

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Darrell Gibson's avatar

God made music powerful.

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Connie Poppy's avatar

Love this! I long for the days when front porches were filled with fiddle music and children's laughter!

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Patricia Maness's avatar

Thank you Sean, from this retired music educator, for using your talent for the children of our time!

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Cheryl Chastain's avatar

I suffer from ADOLAS (Attention Deficit Oh Look A Squirrel).

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Paul McCutchen's avatar

You must have seen the animated movie "UP"

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Cynthia Russell's avatar

i love you for this!!!

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Dolores's avatar

Bluegrass is making a comeback. All due to what passes as country and pop today.

Beauty from ashes.

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Lisa's avatar

Love this! I’ve always had an interest in playing the violin. As a child, my grandmother thought I should take piano lessons. I learned enough to read some music, but was never an adept player. Fast forward about 45 years and I’m taking violin lessons! I bought a student violin from an estate sale and found an instructor. I’ve only been taking lessons for about four months, but I so enjoy it! You can’t really call what I do “music”, but I’m showing some improvement and my grandchildren have shown interest in learning to play an instrument, as well. So we’ve purchased a guitar and are looking for a drum set. Maybe we’ll form a family band! 😜

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Cynthia Russell's avatar

love this for you all!!!!!! what a gift you are giving to them!!!

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Susie S's avatar

Lisa, if you're enjoying the violin lessons, I urge you to buy an adult size violin, so you can learn it and not play in a cramped, uncomfortable style. It would be much easier for you since it would be your size.

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Heather Lindsay's avatar

What a beautiful story. Be safe on the road.

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Randy Sams's avatar

Sean, thank you for making this day begin so joyfully 😊.

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Ellouise's avatar

The phones can come out of the childrens’ hands when their mothers and daddies put theirs down! I believe this addiction begins when the children are seated in the backseat of the family car. No matter how short or long that ride is, the children and not entertained so much as they are held in silent captivity in front of a device attached to the front seat playing mindless childrens’ songs and/or movies. Inside the car is the most perfect time to get to know one’s children, but parents squander the opportunity in the name of quiet. While your child is captive in the seat behind you, you can talk to him or her; sing; give a history lesson, etc. as the child gets older, make the conversation more two-way. This way, when you ask your child about her day, she’s used to the opportunity to really tell you. You only have a few years. Use it!

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Susie S's avatar

Ellouise, I sure wish more parents would do that. When I stop at a stoplight I look over at the next cars and it's sickening what I witness. Everybody, kids and adults are on their phones. Talk about taking the easy way out and doing your children absolutely no good at all. Shame on you "adults". Ha

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