Just in the last week or two we’ve noticed Cecily picking out more and more of the instruments she hears in music, on tv, and various other sources.
About 6 months ago, she surprised us one day by informing us of two of the prominent instruments used in a song she heard frequently while riding in the car, and usually associated with sleep. This piece (Michael Gulezian, “Faith, Hope & Love”) is an instrumental one: in one part the piano solos, in another the guitar takes the lead. Lily now thinks it’s funny to predict which part will start, exactly when – she’s usually within a second of accuracy.
This has gone on for a while, and developed into recognition of violins in addition to the piano and guitar. Now, in the last week, we’ve paid attention to her identifying even more instruments. She has recently taken up playing the hammered dulcimer that is currently sitting in our dining room (thanks to the flood). She was listening to music to fall asleep to the other night and a dulcimer was being played – she identified it almost immediately. And just now, she identified a Native American Flute that was part of a musical interlude in Good Night Moon.
She sits at the piano and, with dolls, pigs, fairies, etc., lined up on the various flat surfaces available, sings to them. She has also begun giving them piano and singing lessons.
She plays the various guitars in the house regularly, as well as her violin – like a violin and cello. Grandpa (Nixon) has something to do with her creative use of her violin.
Video and pics to follow