"I'm sorry. I made that sound like I was going to confess some deep dark secret, didn't I? Not knowing how to read sheet music isn't really comparable to say, confessing that I have a terminal illness or that I'm actually madly in love with Snape." Ernie paused. "Which I don't and I'm not," he added quickly, with a shake of his head and a short laugh.
Perhaps he should stop rambling.
"So yes, Hazel. Teach away."
He watched as she showed him what to do, skeptical still that he'd be able to manage anything more than perhaps a pleasant sounding tone.