ooooh baby... mama's gonna help build the wall.

Mother do you think they'll drop the bomb? 
Mother do you think they'll like this song? 
Mother do you think they'll try to break my balls?
Oooh, ahh
Mother should I build the wall?

For the past couple of weeks the big question at our house has been:  What instrument should Emma play?

Mother should I play an instrument?

Did you get that?  What. Instrument. Should. Emma. Play.  Yes, yes, yes - there was a form sent home asking each child to list what instrument THEY wanted to play.  But mama knows best, right?

Mama's gonna help build the wall...

Immediately Emma listed the trumpet and the trombone as two instruments she would like to try.  She was very excited about both brass instruments - but extremely excited about the trombone... demonstrating repeatedly the 'slide motion', and how 'cool' she would look with it.

Mother do you think they'll like this song?

I however, was somewhat horrified.  It's a predominantly male field (i KNOW - what a sexist attitude)... it's not exactly a solo instrument, so how will she grow with it in the future... will the fact that there are no 'tangible' keys frustrate her?

'Baby, what about percussion?  I think you would really like percussion - your always drumming, tapping...'  (come on, think Sheila E).

Mama's gonna put all her fears into you...

'MUM!  Mrs. B said we shouldn't let anyone make us try out for anything we don't want to - THAT includes our parents!'

Mother do you think they'll drop the bomb?

***
Last night was the band meeting for 5th grade parents - turns out Emma did a great job testing on the trombone.  My husband and I discussed our (okay, mainly my) concerns with the band director.  He said give it a go, because of course - she has an ear... and she will 'hear' if she is off.  Of course.  So trombone it is - I'm going to support my girl!  Emma was over the moon - of course, there was never any doubt in her mind that she wasn't NOT going to play the trombone!

After we came home and put the girls to bed, I did a little research on  female trombone players and found Melba Liston:

Melba Liston was a musical prodigy, and began playing the trombone at the age of seven.  On an instrument not often played by women, and working in a field dominated by men, Melba earned raves from players and critics alike, paving the way for other jazz women.  She recorded one album, entitled 'Melba and Her Bones'.   Though her musical style ran from blues to bebop, her trombone solos were always lyrical and strongly rhythmic. 

Wake up and smell the coffee mom - girls DO play the trombone!  

When I started 'Fasten Her Seatbelt', I wrote:  "As the parent of a preadolescence autistic daughter who is rapidly approaching adolescence, I want her to grow up as a strong individual who believes in herself."

I must be doing my job right, as Emma is able articulate her wants and needs very clearly.  Does this one instance mean she is totally independent of me and doesn't need me?  No.  What it does mean is that mama doesn't always know best... that mama needs to realize her girl is growing up...  that her girl is on her way to becoming a self advocate!  

...I wonder if she's going to want a pink trombone?

Title Inspiration:
Pink Floyd:  Mother