Talents and Trials

Sometimes life isn't fair. Talents and trials are not distributed evenly. My uncle, Elmer Leon Beard, knew this truth and was given more than his share of each.

Uncle Leon Beard

Born with the most musical surname in the Teton Basin, Leon was destined to love and perform music. Every event in the valley included an ensemble of members of the Beard clan singing and entertaining.Their harmonization could not be surpassed. Their fingers were a blur on the strings of a guitar, banjo or fiddle.


Grandma and Grandpa Beard's favorite date night was the annual "Old Time Fiddlers" concert and since Leon lived at their home throughout his life, he often made the outing a threesome. He learned to fiddle from his dad and in later years when Grandpa lost his hearing, Leon would tune the fiddle to perfect pitch so that Grandpa could continue to play. Family members cherish the fiddles to this day, even the cracked original fiddle that will no longer resonate.


Rumor has it that Leon was a devoted member of the Tetonia LDS Ward Choir, even taking his turn at directing for a time. He sang solos in sacrament meeting and in ward dramatic events as well.

Jaw Harp

There was an interesting musical instrument kept on the shelf in Grandma's corner china hutch in the kitchen which I often begged to play during our visits. I remember Leon calling it a Jews Harp; other sources use the name Jaw Harp. It certainly doesn't look like much, but Leon could make music with it. He patiently demonstrated how to hold it and pluck the reed to make the distinctive Bluegrass twang, but all the music I could ever produce out of it was a tinny thunking thud. Leon would tease and laugh at my attempts and then demonstrate how to get a clear sound and vary the tones. This is one of my favorite memories of time spent with my uncle.


If you are not familiar with this instrument and would like to hear what it can sound like; watch this brief YouTube video:

 

The harmonica also held a fascination for Leon and he had a large collection of mouth organs in a wide variety of keys and sizes. The smallest was so tiny, it was hard to imagine Leon being able to control it with his man-sized fingers. It surely would be lost in his mustache. The largest was much wider than the span of both of his hands. His displayed collection was impressive.

Leon passed along his musical talent and passion with his daughter and son, both of whom are accomplished musicians.

Leon later in life

As severe trials came to Leon later in life, I like to think that the memories, joys, melodies, harmonies and spirit of music buoyed him and helped him endure to the end.