Wednesday, August 24, 2005

Taking Requests

So the new school year is underway for me. We have had five days of instruction. As always, I stand outside my classroom during the passing period and play my ukulele.

What's is different is that my teaching partner and I get lots of visits from last year's students. Practically every passing period, a half-dozen or so students pass by on their way to class. Some of them ask me to play them a song. So far, I haven't turned anyone down. Sometimes, I goof on songs that I know, because I'm a little embarassed.

I think from now on, when they request, I will take the opportunity to perform. When they get sick of it, they'll stop asking. It will be good rehearsal time and it will add to the ambience of the school.

Towards the end of last year, a senior who walked by every day, Said to a friend "I'm going to miss that," as she passed. She was referring to my playing. I was touched, if not flattered. I'm still not a virtuoso, after all.

A entered the classroom once last week, still strumming, and a student asked me if I did that to calm the class down. I don't really, but I have noticed that it can have a quieting effect.

I have a class of seniors this year-many of whom had me two years ago. A couple of them gravitate to the two ukes I have on display on my desk and strum them.

I think that on Friday, I might take my bodrhan and play that during passing period and see how that works.

1 comment:

Donita Curioso said...

The bodrhan might not have that quieting effect.

This is so nice. It might seem like a small thing but I'm sure you're making your school a better place for everyone.