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 Posted: Tue Sep 19, 2017 7:27 pm
Mark didn’t know whether it was due to the pouting or merely the idea that the man might be able to teach her something of use, but Lorenzo seemed willing to offer them a little bit more time and that was good enough for him. “Well I mean, it’s something you need to know if you play an instrument. How to tune it, that is.” Mark shrugged, not really about to get in the middle of what was obviously an exchange that had happened a million times before between the pair.
Instead, he centered himself on the task of opening up his guitar case and with a quick shuffle he pulled out the aforementioned business card. In contrast to Vesna’s sparkly, glitter covered eye catcher, Mark’s was considerably more simple; a music note, a magician’s hat, and a paint splatter took up the top, printed in a shimmery black ink, while underneath it listed his name, contact information and the loose title of ‘Entertainer’. Along his more personalized card, the man also pulled out one for his company, offering them both over to Lorenzo. “Business cards. In case you wanted them. They’re kind of old and really ugly though.”
“And, well, I do teach music but it’s generally really casual. I’m not like one of those guys you go to who makes the student sit there for hours playing the same piece over and over, you know? Though, I don’t actually think she needs someone like that anyway, since she already got the basics down and her style seems to be more by the ear, play as you go.” Turning to look at Vesna, Mark offered her a wink. “Which there is nothing wrong with. I mentioned it before, but playing for fun is pretty much the same as practicing only without the feeling of it being work. And nah, don’t worry too much about payment. If I can get a fun jam session out of it than I consider it worth my time.”
Mark wasn’t a ‘professional’ by any means, but he knew a fair bit about music and had taught a fair share the employees in the company how to strum out a tune or two on a guitar or uku. For Vesna, it was more a matter of making practice fun and introducing her to concepts she wouldn’t have known by being self-taught. Which was a considerably easier task than going through the long process of teach people how to play chords on a guitar, that was for sure. “And hey, if I can’t teach her, I have a few buddies who work at a music shop in Durem who I know do professional style lessons.”
Eden and Yuri. He assumed that they were friends of Vesna’s, other Raevans no doubt, and Mark found himself amusedly watching the two talk about them once more for a moment before he remembered what needed to be done.
“Right! Tuning! Can you let me see your ukulele for minute? Promise I won’t hurt it.” Holding his hand out, Mark offered Vesna another one of his warm smiles.
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Posted: Tue Sep 19, 2017 7:35 pm
Lorenzo took Mark's business cards and gave them a once over, tucking them away for later.
"I can make you some new business cards!" Vesna offered. "I have a ton of cool gel pens and paper and stuff." She handed over her ukelele willingly and watched, glancing back at Lorenzo to make sure he was watching, too.
Lorenzo rubbed his temples. "Yes, I did try to teach Vesna some basics, once upon a time, but our methods of learning don't exactly mesh well. Perhaps it would be better to hire a more casual teacher, although I would prefer to speak with you, or whomever she decides to choose about the practical applications of music in necromantic therapy. Originally, the lessons were intended for that, even if she doesn't necessarily appear to need it."
"What do you think?" Vesna asked hesitantly. "One boring talk with Lorenzo in exchange for more hangouts?"
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Posted: Tue Sep 19, 2017 8:10 pm
“See now, that is what I would consider as payment.” Mark beamed, the idea of showing up with sparkly, glitter covered business cards incredibly appealing given the line of work he was in. It just made sense to have something bright and colorful when the people who were primarily in your audience were within the ages of five to thirteen.
“Sure! I remember something being mentioned about how it was to help the mobility in her fingers, but if you want to go into more detail I’m more than willing to listen. Whatever it takes, man.” Mark agreed, offering Lorenzo a smile and Vesna a thumbs up before he finally moved on to the task he had promised. “For now though, let's hold off the talk so we can at least establish how to keep her uku in tune? Alright?”
Accepting the ukulele, Mark took a moment to run his hand over the instrument, examining it for scratches or nicks that might cause the sound to come out off. When he found none, he pluck at each individual string, then strummed his hand down, playing a few cords as he confirmed that it did indeed need tuning. “Right. So, tuning an instrument is something that takes a little bit of practice. The trick is to be able to pick out what sounds right and what sounds wrong.” He explained, hand picking up his harmonica once again. “A good way to do that is with a reference note from an in-tune instrument or with some kind of machine. I’d suggest a harmonica but you said that wind instruments are a no go. Thankfully, you’ve got a phone and the internet. There’s probably an app out there that can do the same thing. For now, I’m going to strum this a few times and I want you to remember how it sounds, okay?”
Waiting on Vesna’s nod or verbal acknowledgment, Mark strummed the uke through a few different notes, letting the Frei hear the sounds before moving on. “I’m not sure if you can tell, but something is a little off, especially when you play an ‘E’. Since your instrument isn’t damaged, that generally means you need to adjust these things up here.” His fingers moved to point at the little knobs lodged into the headstock of the ukulele. “These are essentially tuning knobs. They tighten things up and make things sound right. Now, I’m gonna use my harmonica to give out a reference note and then work from there. Try to listen along as a go. It’s one of those things you pick up over time, but since you’re already inclined towards this type of thing you should be able to pick it up pretty quick.”
The process of tuning Vesna’s ukulele was one Mark took slowly. Not because it was difficult, but because he wanted the girl to be able to hear the differences every time something was adjusted. The harmonica was balanced precariously within his mouth the whole time he worked, his brown eyes alternating between Vesna and the ukulele’s tuners, occasionally looking towards Lorenzo just to make sure the man hadn’t turned to dust during the time he was working. The finished product was a much more pleasing sounding strum, each note coming across as fuller, firmer, stronger.
Removing his harmonica and setting it down on his leg, Mark let out a hum, strumming over the basic cords once more for good measure before handing the instrument back to Vesna. “Can you hear the difference? This is what a ukulele sounds like when it’s properly in tune. Of course, each ukulele has its differences, the more expensive and better quality the instrument the better quality the sound will be, but for our purposes, this is how it should sound. What do you think?” The question wasn’t just directed towards Vesna, but also Lorenzo, questioning if this way of teaching was something he would consider ‘good enough’.
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Posted: Tue Sep 19, 2017 8:20 pm
"Mmmmm.... I think I get it. I mean, I knew it didn't sound right before, I was just kind of afraid of playing around with it like that, in case I made it worse...? But if it's just something you can do by ear, maybe I can do it, too!"
Lorenzo seemed impressed. "So are you going to tune it regularly, now?" he asked Vesna.
"I mean, I guess I'll try." Vesna affirmed. "Is it okay if I have you check to make sure I did it right sometimes?" She turned to Mark.
So did Lorenzo. "I would like that as well. I can't sort out the details at present, but I have your card, and when I get home, I'll set about scheduling proper lessons for Vesna, if you're taking clients. My schedule is fairly busy, so I don't know whether I'll have time for social visits once your raevan is born, but you're always welcome to come in for a consultation if you need anything."
He got up, dusting himself off and carefully, ever so carefully, picking up the canopic jar again. "For now though, we've really stayed too long as it is. Vesna, do you have the bags?"
Vesna put away her ukelele and gave Mark one last grin. "Yes, Lorenzo!" she called. "Bye Mark! It was nice meeting you! I'll text you about lessons, too, in case Lorenzo forgets!" She gave him a big wave, and then, with perhaps an over-theatrical grunt, lifted up the extra supplies Lorenzo had brought and floated along after him.
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