4. Music to my ear

Anthony received a guitar for his 7th birthday.  He took a group lesson (once a week for 8 weeks) a few months later and learned a few notes and chords. He couldn't play much of anything, but he liked it. So we found someone who would teach him how to play more than just a few bars from a child's lullaby, not knowing where it would take him.
At 9 years old, he started to learn to play the piano and he switched from an acoustic guitar to an electric guitar (thank you Ken for giving him yours!). He likes to play classical music on the piano and prefers Rock n' Roll on the guitar.
He also has learned how to compose a piece of music using a simple computer software called "Garage Band" and he enjoys that as much as playing video games. So it was not surprising when he started composing songs on the guitar and the piano. He even performed one of his own guitar composition at a concert before the holidays.
I have to be honest, I never thought that he would play for this long... I thought it was just a phase and that he would get tired of it. After all, he has to practice everyday, both instruments, just to continue to improve. And finding time to practice can be difficult with our busy schedule. But every morning, after having breakfast and taking his shower, he sits at the piano and starts playing. He will practice for about 30 minutes and will then continue practicing his guitar until it is time to go to school. The piano is on the loft, at the top of the stairs, right next to my bedroom and often time, I can hear him playing while I get ready for work. It's literally music to my ear... And I can't think of a better way to start my day!