Baby Blues by Rick Kirkman and Jerry Scott for October 02, 2023

If Hammie’s class does that too, he’ll take choir, so his voice can be heard.

You wanted kids, Mom

Naw, Zoe. You want drums!

Her arms are too short.

My son was a trombone and tuba player. He became marching band drum major. But we had to remodel the house to add walls so that we could watch TV in the evening in the den while he was practicing trombone, our daughter was playing piano in the living room, and the dishwasher or self-cleaning oven was making a racket in the kitchen. It was great for them, though.

At least art is off the table.

And lots of practice at home!

Sorry Wanda.

We had that choice in junior high. It was art, choir, band (maybe others) or home economics (girls) and shop (boys). Yes in those days they did separate the two. I loved singing so I took choir but later I realized I ought to have taken home ec. I would’ve gotten more out of it for my life, not just a couple of concerts we worked on that we performed once but didn’t go any further as far as life skills.

You go, girl!

In fifth grade my school encouraged all students to learn to play a musical instrument. I wasn’t keen on the idea but my parents insisted. When I couldn’t decide on an instrument they picked trumpet for me. It ended up being a lose-lose situation. Whenever I practiced (even with the mute in) my mother would yell at me for making a racket and tell me to stop. Then my music teacher would be upset with me for not practicing and send notes home. Then my mother would yell at me because of the notes. ;-(

My brother chose the trombone, then the horn, then switch to drums. He was excellent playing the drums. I chose the piano.

Don’t do it, Zoe. I, myself, am a Recovering Trombone Player. By the grace of my higher power, I have more than 40 years of Brass Sobriety.

My older daughter fell in love with the violin when she was 2. Fast forward to 4th grade when free violin lessons were offered. She played from 4th grade right up to senior year (and still can play). Her younger sister got the same offer & went for it until her senior year (with a 2-year break in middle school). There was a new orchestra teacher then. My daughter knew him & wanted nothing to do with him. It was the middle school teacher who was the reason for her 2-year break. She had been also doing choir since middle school & stuck with that.

I have a voice that sounds like a trombone, played by an adolescent.

The pain is dragging a trombone case on the bus.

Trombones usually sing the lower notes. … Right?

Nice try, Wanda. At least she didn’t say “violin.”

ba dum tss

Not enough girl trombone players! Go after it!

Choose orchestra or band. Maybe choir. No “bench sitters” in musical organizations, everyone’s effort is important, and kids learn teamwork and other life skills as well.

Pick orchestra and start with the cello. If it’s too big for you try violin.

So she’s thinking of turning to the dark side, then.

Hilarious but agonizing.

Don’t do it Zoe, go for the Tuba, it is more annoying than the trombone and Hammie will have to sit in the back seat when you take it to school.

Hammie wants to play :The Musical Saw".

Wanda: “Let’s explore other options Zoe.”

When my neighbor refused to stop playing her trombone, I told her to shove it up brass.

Better than the tuba!

Of course she wants to play the trombone!

I remember in the fifth grade we were evaluated for band instrument selection. My teeth were irregular, so I was told I was best suited to play a brass instrument. Kids with even teeth got to play the woodwinds. I chose the trombone because I liked the ‘76 Trombones’ song from ‘The Music Man’. My parents got me a used F.E. Olds one from a pawn store. I played it all through high school, but was only mediocre at it. After I graduated, one of my cousins got it, so it got a good home.

Go for broke…take tuba

She’s too lazy to keep up practicing…..

I’m told the violin is the best instrument to play poorly and painfully.

I distinctly remember the day Darling Daughter came home from school and said: “I play the trumpet now.” That was fun. And loud.

Her maxim is to be heard to the maximum.

Trombone! WTG Zoey! I play trombone! Timothy Mahr, the recently retired conductor of the St. Olaf College Band said that the trombone was God’s instrument!

Zoe should take tuba or sousaphone; big mouth for big mouth piece.

Yay! Go Zoe! I play the trombone and I love it!

Go for it Zoe! There aren’t enough female trombonists!