New Year Music and Musicians Thread

Rapidly

We didn't go for it with dd as we felt that even though only an hour a way it was too much.
As they don't board too, it would just not have been practical.
I think you'd need to be pretty local and of course enjoy the music they sing.
Even though dd likes to join in occasionally, or help out if older x choristers aren't free, it's not something she'd like to have given up other instruments for.
I suppose it's a very niche type of thing.

Ours does certainly. They can have 16 girl and 16 boy choristers, currently there are 9 boys and slightly more girls. Plus probationers obviously.

We aren't connected to a school, which gives a wider intake in some ways, but restricts the opportunity to those who are able to get there after school.

Hello Rapidly

That sounds really great for dd, and what an experience.
mine is home for long weekend and listening to a pianist atm, which has to be a first for her.
She said something about having an audition for Chamber choir, but they usually have to be y11 so not sure she has it right

It sounds like your dd is settling into it just fine, and sounds as though she loves it as much as mine
Dd said she's seen your dd about and they usually manage a hi. She said that a couple turned up from x choir at the open day last week, so they may be auditioning.

Hi 2nd. Violinist here and sponge is fine as pp say.
My violin man charges £45 for a rehair but he also sells student violin outfits (instrument, case and bow) for about £100 and will buy them back when you resize / upgrade. For me this is much less hassle than negotiating through the instrument hire service and more cost effective too.

Recommend buying the best strings you can afford.

I'll see her teacher at strings tomorrow morning so I'll ask - I do know of a few places that rehair that string-playing friends have recommended but they'd be tricky to get to.

I've supplied rosin.

I'm so proud of how my dd's doing. I know it's only grade 1 but nonetheless!

You could probably still get the bow re-haired yourself; it doesn't cost that much for a full-sized violin bow, so I bet a smaller one would be even less. Maybe they even expect you to do it as part of upkeep, like you'd change strings?

Sponge/rubber band combo is fine - I know professionals who use a who a whole variety of shoulder rests to try to get something comfortable, from the weirdest looking home-made things to fancy high-tech ones. Most important thing is to get it so that it's comfortable and ergonomic (and stays on properly, which can be a real problem with the Kun-style rests).

Back to exams here as well. Pieces are fairly secure and they will get played at a couple of festivals between now and exam at end of March to make sure. Just somehow need to find DD some more practice time to build up stamina otherwise lip will not last for duration of exam! Not enough hours in the day at the moment.

Hello all, please can I join?

I've been loitering for a while but my dd1 (8) is doing two ABRSM exams this term - Grade 1 theory and Grade 1 violin.

My heart sank when she came home with the violin in September 2014 as I thought it would sound awful but really it sounds rather good! Her intonation isn't bad and scales are relatively secure too. Practises three/four times a week which probably isn't enough but she does it properly if that makes sense. Also plays in a county junior string group for 1.5 hours weekly.

I've a question, well two:

1. She's still using a sponge/rubber band combo. Will this be something she's marked down on? I'm a cellist (and singer as per my username!) and I really don't know. Somehow I feel a bit daft asking her teacher.

1. Her bow is in desperate need of rehairing - it's only got about half its hairs. I know she's a beginner n all but surely she deserves a bow with a little more hair?

Instrument hire is included in the cost of the lessons or I'd have got it sorted by now!

If she manages to read the question properly in the theory exam she should definitely pass...

Wow Mistigri, you must be very proud of your DD! I think that is how musical children shine, if music is in their heart they pick up an instrument and do it. Lovely story and I am looking forward to read more of her music achievements.

Goo is doing great with her theory preparation.

DD is stil doing theory now and then with her piano teacher and I know the plan is once the grade 3 exam is out of the way they'll start bringing theory to a similar level. No rush to do grade 5 theory just yet as I assume it will be a couple of years before she sits her grade 5 piano so plenty of time.

DD has s recorder already so I'll let her mess about with it and maybe add a wind instrument (we both love clarinet) closer to secondary school in a couple of years' time.

Read previous posts too fast last night and missed on Mistigri news: thats an amazing news!

Waffle sounds like Goo will be fine in the Exam. I don't think DS2 was at that stage in Jan last year before doing his exam in March.

My DS2 is doing Grade 6 very gently, although I paid a small fortune in books in December. Theory lessons are with the piano teacher, she just does a bit every now and then.

Well done to your DD Mistigri.

Waffle that is very funny - and well done to Goo on 100%! Definitely a case of artistic temperament!
On the theory front, DSs are having theory lessons from Friday next week, just for half an hour but sharing the teacher between them. DS1 knows it will be useful to him and DS2 was surprisingly amenable. we shall see.
There's a lot to be said for playing instruments for fun. The bass guitar began as light relief for DS1 but I have to say he now appears to be glued to it! He's playing it this Saturday in a local concert with the music centre intermediate band. He's in the marching band as well but can't really practise that at home!
Wow, Mistigri many congrats to your DD on her radio success, that is brilliant! I think writing and performing her own songs is so impressive. Did she enjoy being interviewed or was it a bit nerve wracking?

Waffle: hahaha, cheeky! That 100% is impressive

Fleur: you dd is busy, she might not need to start a second instrument right now though especially the ballroom dance helps her with the music part. Our tutor told us that just listen to the music, dance or sing, it help enormously fir the child to play the pieces nicely

About us: finished the practice book grade 1, finished mock papers 2013 grade 1, I will scan them tomorrow and send it to our tutor for him to mark. She seems enjoys it. She said she understand the sightreadings and the notes better and find the meanings are very interesting, lets see how long will it last

Fleur if your dd is keen, just get her a recorder and let her mess around on it, it will cost you almost nothing and if she takes to it, you can look at lessons later.

For those considering second instruments, this is our story.

DD started recorder at 4/5 (with a teacher who specialised in baroque instruments - she taught recorder and harpsichord, and her husband built harpsichords and taught strings). She did five years with this teacher, got to around grade 5 (on descant and alto) then lost interest and stopped music completely.

A year or two later, she picked up a guitar, initially teaching herself from YouTube videos. By the time she got lessons, she was already comfortably playing cover versions and writing her own songs.

More recently, aged 13, she took up piano (initially self-taught) and sax (with local music school). Because of her age and prior musical experience, she picked these up very quickly - grade 5/6 standard in less than a year. I'm tempted to conclude that it's a mistake to hurry into a second instrument, because a slightly older student with a good musical background should pick up the "easier" instruments fairly quickly (strings are probably an exception).

Time is the big issue for DD, or she would play harp and double bass too ;)

On the exam front, we're waiting for the conservatoire where she studies piano to give her the list for her end of year exam in June (not ABRSM obv, it's the French system). She is ahead of the standard required for her "official" level, so the exam pieces should be relatively easy.

No exams for the other instruments but she sang/ played guitar live on local radio today (one of her original songs) and also did an interview. Very proud!

Oh, forgot to say, we are in the land of exams again, the last being the summer last year.
Dd is taking grade 2 Piano in March, a biggie for her as she really doesn't like it much, but it's compulsory at her school.
I'm sure something will kick in as she progresses and finds that there are many ways to play, not just songs, grades and classical works.

I certainly agree with the time issue as well.
I suppose if you have a child that has no other commitments and they enjoy dedicating the required time to practice then it is fine.
However, when they get older and have GCSE's or A levels, or even just secondary school homework then they may find they don't have the time.
It seems a shame for them to play multiple instruments and then have to give something up because there is little time.
Maybe the answer is to look at the personality of the child, do they tend to stick things out, are they the type to progress with many irons in the fire or better with all their eggs in one basket.
So many phrases there

Yes, DS2 was lucky with my friend as it was easily fitted in as an informal occasional lesson. Recorder was group lessons in school and trombone lessons later were in schooltime. He's now at secondary and clarinet lesson is in schooltime and trombone in evening, piano Sat morning. But as they get older there is more evening time

Time is such an issue - I definitely agree about being able to fit it in as a fun activity at home. It's not just lessons but the travel as well! For little ones, that adds up. And for parents! Is there a recorder group at school?