New Year Music and Musicians Thread

The YouTube channels were the only suggestion I had as there is no time to have a proper lesson. I know that YouTube watching takes time also but at least she can do that quickly after dinner or just before bedtime and if she does show a real interest at least we can then discuss giving up another activity in favour of the recorder lessons. At the moment she doesn't want to give up anything (she also does ballroom dancing and started ice skating) and she really enjoys them.

Is there maybe an Internet platform for music lessons online? I'll go and do some research.

I should add that I am pretty sure Minifleur is a lot more attentive than DS1 so I imagine she could use the videos more successfully for longer! I think he wanted to go from zero to Guitar hero a little too quickly!😀

Ds2 started on piano and got interested in the idea of adding another instrument so he could play in a group. When the cello teacher brought a cello and mini bass to school he trotted off to have a look. He nearly disappeared under the allegedly 'mini' bass so discounted that, but he loved the sound of the cello and hasn't looked back since. He is working on grade 3 in both instruments and playing piano really helped him progress quickly at the beginning with cello. He would probably be further ahead if he only played one but Waffle is absolutely right that the instruments help each other to a certain extent. Now he plays in a string orchestra and the school orchestra.
P.s. Not sure about YouTube. DS1 started on it for bass guitar but didn't pay attention to the fingering and I made him take proper lessons - which he loves. On the other hand, it did get him started and confirmed he wanted to play bass so it was useful.

Hello all! Talking of a second instrument got me thinking. DD has a recorder that she is messing about with, she started suggesting she'd like to add recorder lessons to her music studies. Now we literally have no more time to add extra lessons unless they would be in the evenings and even so it would be challenging.

I suggested she starts to teach herself initially by watching YouTube videos at least for a few months. Is this a crazy suggestion?

Also providing she does teach herself and discoveres she enjoys it, how easy is to progress from recorder to flute or clarinet in a couple of years time?

Rapidly from your post upthread I am deeply envious of the underfloor heating. I have a full set of thermals specially for Evensong in winter!

I think adding an orchestra instrument to piano is a little different. DS2 started piano at 6.5 and a friend started teaching him clarinet at 7.5. He started having a lovely time playing in music service groups and school groups from age 8, opportunities he wouldn't have had with piano. For him his instruments encouraged each other.

Hi June.

I played clarinet at age ten and in 6 months took grade 3.
Before this though I played recorder for about 3 years, it was easier as I knew most basics, like reading, aural work, theory terms etc.

My dd started sax at 9 and progressed very well, very quickly. She had played violin from 6.5 and tinkered with piano (no lessons) and then singing lessons.
I think she was about grade 4 before she started her second instrument but honestly, it was worth the wait.

Thanks NewLife and Waffle

Maybe waiting a bit would be a good idea. She's currently preparing for her piano prep test. Ironically the flute teacher at the school is her piano teacher so I could ask his opinion - maybe he'll surprise me - and she could have a trial lesson just to see whether she likes it. No hurry to start properly though.

Actually I'd rather she learned the clarinet (also taught by the same teacher!) as I prefer it to the flute, personally, so maybe she could try out both. By chance I've found a children's concert coming up locally which is focusing on wind instruments, and gives children a chance to try a variety, so I'm hoping this will help.

Why didn't think of trying local music shops?? I've actually been working in the music business my entire career but I'm clueless when it comes to children's lessons

June

You don't need to take my advice obviously, but we found it far better to get to a decent level before starting another instrument.
Has your dd done any grades yet and studied any theory.
Once she has the basic/intermediate foundations it will be much easier to start another instrument.
As for looking for a teacher I'd firstly ask friends for recommendations, your local music shop will have a list of suitable teachers and may provide lessons in the shop.
Some will give an audition/trial to see if both teacher and pupil will be able to work together.
They'll charge for this lesson of course, but there are no expectanies for you to continue if either aren't happy.

Hello everyone, I'm after some advice and this seems like the perfect place to ask

My elder daughter is in Yr3 and has been learning the piano for 4 terms. She's getting on well and much to my surprise I'm enjoying helping her with her practice I'd like her to start another instrument, she's interested in the flute - I have awful memories of scraping away at the violin as a child so I'm quite happy she wants to try a wind instrument instead. I just wish there was a way she could take her time deciding and try out several different instruments but music is a bit of an afterthought at her (otherwise good) school and I'm not really sure where to start.

The other thing is her piano teacher - he's perfectly nice and she's getting on fine but I just find him a bit uninspiring I know that sounds awful. But I don't know how to find another teacher - obviously there are plenty of listings online but how do you find a decent one?

Thanks in advance

Rapidly that looks great fun! I'm really tempted to get that for DS2 as part of his birthday present next month!
I remember showing a musical friend of my mum's my own 'compositions' for flute when I was about 10. All well and good except I hadn't the remotest clue what I was doing, but she was too nice to say anything!

Waffle I am sure Goo will do just fine progressing through the theory path with your support. I wish I could teach DD.

Enb how lovely, I have to say composing is an area I wish to encourage more.

So... my daughter has composed and written her first piece of music. Frankly, it's both derivative and repetitive but she's 7 so I'll let it go :)

Are there any really good and engaging books out there for aspiring young composers that aren't too sticker and baby picture oriented? I know a lot of it is theory but she just wants to get stuff on paper. The Ng (both of them) are good for theory but all she wants to do is the sticker bits and gets bored of them quite quickly.

Waffle I can't imagine how you juggle everything at work and teaching Goo theory as well - my children will let me help them a little bit but not teach them anything! I am exploring theory options and my local music centre said they will look into putting on a theory group class again. The alternative is 1:1 with one of the piano teachers but they would charge the same as a piano lesson, whereas group lessons there are massively cheaper. On the other hand, if both DC could share the lesson they might both make huge progress. I will have to talk to them when they're in a calm mood (I have jam donuts to help things along!)
Green just saw your message, I'm the one learning the G4 piece - I am only one grade ahead of DS2 and he is determined to catch up. He likes to pretend he isn't competitive but he really is! And frankly, he is going to overtake me, it's just a matter of time!

Waffle -Goo will ace the exam! well done to both of you - she is getting impressive scores. DD was varying from a fail to a distinction depending on the day/mood! Is it your festivals soon?

Re memorising - DD still does this on cello (her Suzuki heritage showing) and whilst it looks great it can be very risky if they haven't spent enough time with the score. But DD is a performer and likes to take away the music stand when there is an audience.....

well, she did scrap a distinction, but either way she woi;d have been ok

Waffle: it might be just a bad day. For the incorrect answer then what do you do? Do you make het to reread theory and reanswer them or you explain to her straight away. Lucky Goo has you as a mommy who teach music. I can play violin but not so good and dont know much in theory, could barely read the note and cant play piano

Hahaha yes, true! I am sure she'll either play fantastically in the exam or all goes pear shaped. DD doesn't seem to have a middle ground.

Last year I was almost convinced the night before that she'll fail the exam, and then she comes out of the exam happy and two weeks later we found out she got a solid distinction.

[and when they have mastered the trill,or grace note in dd2's case, they have to play on a different piano (which is much heavier than ours), and it all goes pear shaped....]

Loose: thanks for good tips, I will try it tonight. Can I ask you a question please, why your Ds2 is learning grade 4 pieces, does it help by any chance.

Fleur: memorising is always an issue for us, sight reading then the pieces itself. Scales and arpeggios were learnt but still a hit and miss. Some nights she got them all and some other nights missed most. Well, I am trying to relax about it as I am telling myself we still have 4 more lessons before the exam(holiday for 2.5 weeks and exam is the second week in March, could be earlier as we havent had the date yet)