While we’re on the subject of music and child development, here’s a recording of “Wild Thing” performed by Connor Wartelle, seven years old. Connor came to his first lesson in May with a 1/2-sized Stratocaster with two strings on it. The others had been shredded by hours and hours of frenetic strumming, the guitar sitting flat on his lap, extra-heavy gauge pick clamped between his fingers, smoke rising from the pick guard.
At first, Connor’s strumming just sounded like noise making. But then I noticed he was coming up with really cool rhythms. I decided I had to get this kid playing power chords as soon as possible, and I thought “Wild Thing” would be a fun first song.
When we recorded the song, Connor wasn’t playing it in rhythm yet, so I just recorded him playing for a while, then I found the best parts and looped them in my recording software. Now he can play the whole song (and sing) in rhythm. He’ll be performing “Wild Thing” and an original called “You’re Done For” (!) at my Coffee Shop Jam on October 29th.
He’s on bass and guitar, and I play the guitar solo.
Hold on to your socks… Wild Thing by Connor Wartelle
Comments 17
I’m so impressed!
http://guitartoybox.com/2006/10/20/this-kid-vs-jet/
Connor…I bow to your rockness! You are awesome!
Sounds great, Connor!
I’m one of your biggest fans – rock on!
The photo shows your attitude!
Keep going, Connor!
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Thank you Rob for teach to this kid and bring us a nice time 😀
Rob: I’ve been considering taking the leap into teaching guitar fulltime and decided to look up resources on the internet. You come up pretty high in the Google search. Connor’s tune has brought such a smile to my face that I know I’ve made the right decision. This is EXACTLY what it’s all about. Thanks – Doug in Greensboro NC
Cool, Doug! Teaching guitar is a blast. I’m having so much fun.
You really need to get a video of him playing
“Wild Thing” and post it on Youtube!
This ROCKS!
Nice work! I’ve been teaching guitar for 20 years, Wild thing being one of our first taught as well. This child is a real talent and you must be a fine Instructor! Tina
That is just great! It got loaded into my iTunes, so Connor is now on my playlist!
I put Connor in my itunes, and all my friends were going, “Oh he’s so cute!!” “He rules!” He is definately going places with that talent.
OH MY GOD IF THAT VIDEO WAS REAL IM GONNA KILL MYSELF I NEVER KNOW YOU COULD HAVE THAT MUCH TALENT AT SUCH A YOUNG AGE IM 17 AND I JUST STARTED PLAYING THE GUITAR I SUCK AT IT BUT MY GOAL IS TO SOMEDAY START MY OWN BAND ROCK ON CONNER