ConnorWhile 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