A Boy and His Mandolin

When my father-in-law asked Riley if he would play for his Great-Granny at her 80th birthday party, Riley didn't miss a beat, "That's fine," he assented confidently. But the morning of the party, he realized that he would be up in front of more than 300 people; when Poppa came back to get him, Riley's eyes were as big as saucers. I quickly suggested that Jake could go up there with him. Riley visibly relaxed, picked up his mandolin, and the three generations walked up to the front of the crowd.

Riley played three songs: Bach's "Bourrée in E minor", "Cripplecreek", and "Walk Don't Run." Classical, bluegrass, and surf-guitar. The boy showed his musical chops and definitely impressed some folks, not just with his ability, but with his composure. The only thing I can think, because he has never performed in front of that many people, is that he is so absorbed in his music that it really was just a case of "a boy and his mandolin." He didn't even see the 300 plus people.

And an added bonus to his performance, photographs, and Facebook: someone saw this photo who wrote in that that looked like her mandolin that she had given to Isaac years ago. I wrote her back and confirmed, yep, Isaac gave it to Riley. It's neat to know the history of the instrument.

Playing for Uncle Same Name

Jake has always been close to his cousin Isaac, so when he suggested that we name Riley after Ike, there was no doubt in my mind that that was the right name for our son: Riley Isaac.

The name Isaac means laughter; Ike has a distinctive, infectious laugh that always makes me smile. And Riley has always known where he got his name. We kiddingly call him, now, "Uncle Same Name."

Little did I know the similarities would continue. They are still both the only Manns who weighed more than 9 pounds at birth. And they both play the mandolin. Giant, odd-ball instrument strumming Manns with great laughs. Seriously.

When Jake was last in Coeur D'Alene, Isaac gave him a mandolin for Riley. It needed to be refinished and restrung and it sat that way in the garage for almost six months. Then when we were preparing for the family reunion Riley asked if Uncle Same Name was going to be there. Yes. "I need to play the mandolin for him."

So Riley and Jake worked on the mandolin together for several late nights. And despite some stumbles (Umm...did you look at the other mandolin before you strung this one? No. Maybe you should have.), it was ready to go. Riley toted that instrument all around the lake, playing for different folks, all the while looking for Isaac. Finally he found him. They plunked down on the grass and Riley played for Uncle Same Name. Finally.

Another Odd Stringed Instrument for the Mann Boys

Right before Riley turned eight, he presented me with a plan: how he was going to afford a mandolin.

He'd become enamoured with the instrument because his first grade teacher - our beloved Ms. Z - played one. And he had a plan to ask the Nonni, Grandma, and Poppa to send him money towards his mandolin for his birthday...instead of a present. He found the mandolin that he wanted, emptied out his piggy bank, and calculated how much he needed, and asked me if I could convey that to the grandparents. I did. So, less than two weeks after he turned 8, Riley had his instrument in hand and I had even found a local mandolin teacher for him.

Flash forward one year...the kid is good! He's been taking lessons for a year and his repertoire includes Bach, some bluegrass, some jazz, Greek songs, Spanish songs, and folk songs; he and his teacher "invented" the surf-mandolin genre and Riley's even composed a piece of his own. I am in awe. And I am not easily impressed.

Throughout the year, the Nonni have noticed that Dylan is taking an interest in music - Nonna has been working with him on the piano - but the green-eyed monster called Sibling Rivalry is still rearing its nasty visage. They won ukulele lessons at a raffle and, after discussing it with Dylan, he said that he really wants to learn how to play the ukulele. So, yesterday Nonna and I researched and bought Dylan a baritone ukulele and Nonno will drive him to and from San Jose for four private lessons.

The stringed instruments most kids choose - violin, guitar - do not appeal to my out-of-the-box-thinking little Manns. So, we have acquired yet another odd stringed instrument in the family. Now what am I going to play!?!