I Went To A Concert Where I Gave Birth
To Someone On Stage.
Sounds messy, I know. Let me explain.
A few weeks ago I wrote about Kira and Kiyomi starting guitar lessons. They just finished their first eight week session, although on the last day Kiyomi decided to quit and walked in and announced to her teacher, "I am not a guitar player. I am a DRUMMER!" It remains to be seen whether or not Santa will be stuffing this down the chimney. I'm sure the money would be better spent on a math tutor, but who ever won American Idol by reciting their times tables?
Kira, however, took to it immediately. By the end of her second lesson she knew how to tune her guitar, had memorized her chords and could play a couple of songs all the way through. Rigel was amazed that he was actually learning a few chords from her, although I think it was a blow to his ego when she called him her roadie in front of her friends.
She had her first gig on Friday night, accompanying her teacher (and a seven-year-old singer) on Green Day's Boulevard Of Broken Dreams. I've seen the Stones from the tenth row, partied backstage with The Talking Heads and been offered a joint from Stanley Clarke, but I have to say none of my musical experiences so far compares to seeing someone you gave birth to playing her mini-Fender on a community center's stage.
(In true Stage Mother form, I have to add that most of the guitar you are hearing is Kira's, since she was hooked up to an amp, and her teacher wasn't. Okay, that's all. I'll be over here trying to get her to wear makeup and this sequined halter dress I made her.)
A flippin' prodigy! I think they should take it on the rode. These are the moments I look forward to. B just started jammin' and I am so proud I could just burst!
ReplyDeleteThat is so cool. Looks like she will toy with Mark Knopfler before you know it.
ReplyDeleteNice weekend
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It's a lot more straightforward being a drummer rather than a musician, I can't wait til my brother buys himself a kit when he starts getting some cash in from his new job.
ReplyDeleteI've been trying to play guitar for about a year but am not suited to it. I can't play any chords (they just sound wrong) but I can do a few riffs. I'm a bit better on bass as there's more room and less strings.
Good luck to the kids.
hooray! i knew kira's mum before she was famous ...
ReplyDeleteas a guitarist myself, I can't wait for my kid to play -- even if it isn't guitar --
ReplyDeleteso cool!
My 15 year old has a band that has performed now for 3 different events. They are a young band. Sometimes they are flat, sometimes they are sharp. There is equal cringe factor mixed with pride watching them play. But they always kick ass to us.
ReplyDeleteI let her do her hair bubble gum pink last spring for a Battle of the Bands.
Buy those drums- a sibling band would be rockin' !
FREEBIRD!!!!!!!
ReplyDelete[hold up lit lighter]
Ohmygot! She's a rock goddess!
ReplyDeleteI am a terrible mother. My son would be seriously pissed if I showed him this. I've got to find a good teacher.
Infinitely more refreshing than another rendition of We Wish You a Merry Christmas!
ReplyDelete--Mel
I want her autograph.
ReplyDeleteAwesome. A proud moment, for sure.
ReplyDeleteDamn, she's good! She's even got the "damp the strings and keep playing without missing a beat" thing down. Great rhythm hand. She's a rockstar in the making.
ReplyDeleteJust ten minutes ago, I ordered a guitar-playing seven-year old friend of ours a super-cool shirt with a Fender strat screened on the front. Now I want to get one for Kira!
(And get going on some drums for Kiyomi - it's worth the gamble. You could have yourself a family band!)
She really is very good! And I love that she looks so solemn as she plays, that cracks me up!
ReplyDeleteI love the fact that she's not acting all center-stagie. She's a musician, quietly and impressively doing her job. I love that. Also impressive is the nod the teacher gave her after his communication with the singer to sort of change things up and move along...and she did it. Without missing a beat.
ReplyDeleteI would have been bursting with pride, as well.
LOVE IT. You must be exploding with pride.
ReplyDeleteShe is so freaking cute. Did you cry?
ReplyDeleteMy boys would be terribly jealous, that's their favorite song and it's much cooler than the piano which their nasty mother makes them practice.
ReplyDeleteThat's gotta be the best blog post title of the year. From current indications, I'll never know your joy. My 3-year-old has pretneded to be a statue at all the class performances we've attended so far.
ReplyDeleteGET THAT GIRL AN AGENT. I took guitar lessons when I was fifteen and I don't think I ever produced an audibly pleasing sound. So for your daughter to play this well after a few weeks - amazing.
ReplyDelete-annie
I didn't see your BIC lighter, Mom!!!
ReplyDeleteblake wants to play drums! they can start a band! lol
ReplyDeleteGod, that's so cool. ROCK ON!!
ReplyDeleteHow do you grow them so cool? Our current trajectory is more Spastic Farting than understated rocker-chic.
ReplyDeleteMy heart would have exploded with joy, leaving confetti shrapnel in everyone's hair. How wonderful for you.
Very nice! That's funny because my little one (2 yrs old) keeps telling me that Santa is going to bring her an "otar"(guitar)a pink one at that. I told her that when she is 5 yrs old, she can then have the "otar"! I really think that music is a great gift for a child to learn!
ReplyDelete*waving my lighter*
ReplyDeleteOh wait, kids these days don't wave lighters, they wave cell phones.
I'm totally not cool but your daughter is. Joan Jett, eat your heart out.
Dang! That is sooo cool. How wonderful for her! I'm w/Mrs. Chicky .... cell phone in air - being as uncool as I can possibly be. :)
ReplyDeleteThat was perfectly AWESOME! I'm proud and she's not even my kid.
ReplyDeleteHey sounds good!
ReplyDeleteYou might like to check out these lessons also, they've helped a few kids I know learn guitar using a course on their computer... www.pro-guitar-tips.com
Wow, so amazing! I bet you felt like your heart was going to burst from pride. Your kids are so cool, is this a California thing? My boys are playing the violin and trumpet back here on the East coast...
ReplyDeleteShe's good! I would be totally proud.
ReplyDeleteOooh! Wow, I'm so impressed. By your kid, the singer ... meh, not so much. But I digress. Great job. And I truly, truly hate this song and I listend to the whole thing. :0)
ReplyDeleteshe sounds wonderful! It is so exciting for her and for you to have her up there. Was she proud of herself?
ReplyDeleteshe sounds great!
ReplyDeletei love her calm, cool and collected attitude. i'll take on the role as manager and say, lose the singer, she'll only cause drama and then the band will have to break up due to her partying, diva ways. a vh1 behind the music documentary in the making...
Rock on! *makes cool finger sign and looks for her lighter*
ReplyDeleteDamn...
ReplyDeleteI don't smoke...
But if I did, I would be so there with my Bic Lighter swaying to those ripping guitar chords...
You rock!!!
Awesome!
ReplyDeleteShe's a natural. Now get Kiyomi those drums so they can take their act on the road.
So, cool! Are you practicing your tambourine so you can join them?
ReplyDeleteBloody hell. I am utterly jealous of your little girl. FOr our CHristams shows we had to dress up like shepherds and sing "little donkey"
ReplyDeleteshe's obviously a genius. she is so cool. when i was her age i think i was trying to convince my mom i needed another cabbage patch doll and was in my room studying for another spelling bee in the hopes of a win. . .not cool.
ReplyDeletethere is also something hilarious about children singing "boulevard of broken dreams." gets them started early on disappointment and lonliness. . .
and my grandma is feeling better, thank you.
she's obviously a genius. she is so cool. when i was her age i think i was trying to convince my mom i needed another cabbage patch doll and was in my room studying for another spelling bee in the hopes of a win. . .not cool.
ReplyDeletethere is also something hilarious about children singing "boulevard of broken dreams." gets them started early on disappointment and lonliness. . .
and my grandma is feeling better, thank you.
This is so amazingly awesome. I've watched it about 6 times already. You must be incredibly proud. There's no doubt that Kira is a future rock star. She rocks.
ReplyDeleteP.S. Hearing that little girl sing with all the torment and angst of her 7 years on the planet was also classic.
You know how beautiful that was don't you? Gads, my buttons would have popped off my shirt with pride. She ROCKS!
ReplyDeleteDang. I thought Girlie was the coolist kid on the internet block but I was wrong. Your little darling rocks!
ReplyDeleteThis is The Coolest, and it's surely just the beginning! Congrats Rock Mama! You must feel so proud!
ReplyDeleteGo Kira Go! What a girl.
ReplyDelete*flickering my lighter up in the air*
ReplyDeleteAmazing what one can accomplish in 8 weeks! Good for her...
I love this post. I love the title, the description, the fact that you are a mother of two girls. Just deliciously authentic and fun. My daughters are 2 years and 7 months, so no Fenders yet, but I tell ya, as much as I want to slow time down, I am pretty f&*king excited to graduate from kazoos and recorders.
ReplyDeleteRumor has it, Matteo and Niccolo will be going electric when Santa comes to town...we'll have to get them all together for a jam session.
ReplyDeleteMatteo's been looking for a bass player for his band (the one that lives in his mind), and already fretting over what they will wear when they are onstage.
perhaps Kira has some thoughts on that subject?
I'm cracking up that the song they played was "Boulevard of Broken Dreams"! My youngest son wants to play the guitar, I just might have to look into lessons for him. Congratulations to your little rockstar!
ReplyDeleteP.S. Stanley Clarke once offered you a joint? Dude.
P.S.S. Merry Christmas to you and your family!!
Awesome! You must be so proud! I mean, playing the piano is one thing but the guitar is not easy.
ReplyDeleteAhh, I remember the backstage days. Well, some it. Some of it I have no recollection... Maybe I don't want to know.
I'm bursting with pride and I don't even know her! Wow, and how cool is it that she played Green Day. When I learned guitar in grade school it was like some crappy folk song called "Jane Jane." Not even "Sweet Jane."
ReplyDeleteI'm exceedingly jealous that you partied with my all-time favorite band, by the way.
She's quite a talent. Way to go girlie! Did you stand up alot and say, "THat's MY daughter up there!!!" I would have totally been making an ass of myself to let everyone know that genuis was mine! heehee
ReplyDeleteHilarious Headline! Just stopping by some of my fave blogs to say Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas my friend .. I hope that all is wonderful for you and yours.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Frannie
Awesome!
ReplyDeleteWe got our 12yo a guitar for Christmas and he spends every spare moment in his room teaching himself to play. Lessons loom in our future as well!
Kira is a amazing person, I love her because she's so hardworking and won't give up until the end! Keep up that attitude Kira!!!
ReplyDelete