The Saxaphone

Try to remember just for a minute the image of tiny Lisa Simpson playing the large saxophone. Now, replace Lisa with Bella and you will see what I saw last night. Yes, Bella is playing the saxophone, and practice started yesterday. Each kid who wanted to play in band was evaluated by the leader and assigned an instrument. Due to small fingers and an inherited inability to make any sound come out of a brass instrument (thanks Gary) Bella was given the sax. At the parents meeting Gary and I looked down the list of instruments and discovered, to our dismay, that the sax is the second most expensive instrument to rent. I almost resorted to suggesting to Bella that maybe instead of being in band we could put that money into a savings account and buy her a great car when she turns sixteen.

So last night Bella comes home from school bringing in a box that would reach to her shoulders if she stood it on end. She announces that she has to practice for 30 minutes and I shout out "NO! At the meeting they said only 15 minutes." She begins to assemble the 20 pieces of her sax and about 30 minutes later is ready to play. To my amazement what comes out is the sound of a very loud note. Not a squeak, but a note. Bella is so excited that I would let her play for 60 minutes if she wanted.

Unfortunately after 10 minutes it becomes unbearable. Not her playing, but everyone else's reaction to it. Every time she plays Patch the dog begins to whine and occasionally emits a small bark. Andrew yells "BELLA" as loud as he can because he can't hear what Sponge Bob is saying. Gary and I are alternating between yelling "NO" at Patch and yelling at Andrew that Bella has to practice and he can put up with it. Sadie is outside barking and running around looking for the flock of migrating ducks that are invading our property.

But Bella is already the consummate professional, blocking out the chaos around her and playing on.