judifilksign: (Default)
[personal profile] judifilksign
In the checkout lines at the grocery store today, I heard a little girl singing the "Ba da, da-da-da, I'm lovin it" jingle for McDonald's.  The mom was stressed, and not really into it. 

I noticed that the very young child - about three years old - was very much in tune - perfectly so.  I complimented her mom on her beautiful voice, and told her that I thought her daughter had perfect pitch, unusual and a talent to watch for.

The mom said her daughter often made her *crazy* singing at odd times, but that she'd heard other people say that her baby had a nice voice.

I asked the mom if the girl held her hands over her ears at strange noises, or when people sang, and she said that she did.  I repeated that I thought she had perfect pitch, and sang a little snatch of song.  The little girl, cocking her head at me, repeated the song bit, note for note and pitch perfect.  I did another song phrase, a filk song I know she'd never have heard before, and she did the same thing.

Mom was astonished.  She asked me if I was a music teacher, how did I know about this?  I told her my own young daughter had perfect pitch, and my dad was a composer.  I said that she would probably benefit from music lessons from a very young age, and would love music toys.

Mom said that she bet that her little girl would grow up and be in the marching band at school, and left very pleased, adding  that her if her child was annoying, she was at least actually talented and showing off rather than just being a pain.   (  !  )

Date: 2009-09-04 11:12 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] catsittingstill.livejournal.com
It's cool that you noticed this. I hope the little girl in question gets lots of access to music as a result. :-)

Date: 2009-09-04 11:40 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] bigbumble.livejournal.com
Once again, Judi to the rescue!

Date: 2009-09-05 01:11 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] admnaismith.livejournal.com

You make the world better than it would have been without you.

Date: 2009-09-05 02:11 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] maiac.livejournal.com
I'm proud to know you.

Date: 2009-09-05 02:13 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] needlewomyn.livejournal.com
Seriously, your grocery store trips are so much more interesting than mine.

Date: 2009-09-05 05:35 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] judifilksign.livejournal.com
It's because I watch people, and open my mouth in a busybody way. I get my fair share of brushoffs, too, believe me.

Young Talent

Date: 2009-09-05 03:46 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] castelyn.livejournal.com
This same thing happened to me years ago in a teachers'-supply store in Centerville, Ohio. A family of five was in the store, and the youngest was singing to herself -- perfect phrasing, perfect pitch, well-articulated words.

I just had to mention to the mom how unusual this was. Just as Judi did, I urged her to make sure her child got music lessons. I explained how rare natural talent like that was.

My own mother loved music, but since she didn't sing on pitch all the time, her parents didn't think she had any talent. So she never got any lessons. She died twelve years ago -- how I wish I'd thought to share my own piano lessons with her.

Date: 2009-09-05 10:27 am (UTC)
jenrose: (squeee)
From: [personal profile] jenrose
oh marvelous!

Music Toys

Date: 2009-09-05 12:52 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] castelyn.livejournal.com
My brother-in-law, a public school music teacher with a trained baritone voice, couldn't stand little kiddie music toys around the house. No one-octave xylophones, no tooting horns, no Little Chipmunk records -- none of that. He said that he wanted his children to hear real music, classical music well played. He insisted on keeping their little old piano in perfect tune.

His son enjoyed his big huge drum set, which he played in a garage band. His daughter became good enough as a piano player to give music lessons herself.

The concentration and discipline required to learn music are traits that will be of tremendous benefit to children as they mature, even if they never develop an interest in performing.

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