while exploring the city, gershwin heard jazz and blues music spilling out of public drinking places. however, he did not become seriously interested in music until he heard another boy playing the violin in a concert at his school. gershwin began to take piano lessons. his teacher was a fine classical musician. he immediately recognized gershwin's unusual ability. the teacher wrote about him to a friend: "i have a student who will make his mark in music, if anybody will. the boy is a genius, without doubt."