Spring/ Summer Music and Musicians Thread

"I am aware that we will soon need to tackle the dreaded G5 theory paper to take the practical any further... any tips?! "

Switch to Trinity and ignore it?

It depends on your aims, but that's what DD did (got her G6 piano a couple of months ago). She has acquired plenty of theory along the way, but I think there are some holes and we intend to fill them in a leisurely fashion this year... but not for exams, unless she surprises me and really wants to do them.

Greenleave, I already saved your screenshot! Some interesting books in there, will be happy to read them myself!
I am also into classical music now and certainly prefer it to pop when driving. Also relate it to dc's music lessons. Try to go to classical concerts whenever I can too.

I am reading Practical Musicianship description (thanks for mentioning it)(www.abrsm.org/regions/fileadmin/user_upload/syllabuses/pracComplete10.pdf) and it seems to be a good alternative to theory exam. Did anyone's dc actually take it? It seems doable.

Good luck musicmom!

We're planning the same with theory, take it easy, see where we get without pushing it too much and if needed skip grades until after she has taken theory. She doesn't need to take all the grades and she doesn't anyway so no reason to push for it. I think every other grade works well for her as it gives her lots of time to do wider repertoire without thinking of exams.

green that's lovely. Glad your daughter's learning has made your life so much richer.

Letlove - we also missed g6 whilst theory caught up; agree much is in their heads by the time they have got to that level ESP if they are pianists or used to many clefs.

Drummer - not London; and only just beginning 😀

Drummer: I am so into music now, I even listen to classical music any time I have a chance, on the train, lunch, before bed, while cooking...its all thanks so my daughter who is learning it

Oh Green DS was given Goodall's Big Bangs book as a music prize and we all read it. It's a great read!

Music mom, very best of luck!!!

Letlovewin: how old are the children and if you are musical at all? we are now in the middle of preparation for this June exam and we are only hoping for a pass. I bought the abrsm practise books G1-G5 and also all available past papers from G1-G5. We still have so much to review. Our 3 weakness areas are now: Ornaments, Chords and Transpositions. We learn the concepts by reading from practise books then practise, then practise...I just bought couple more books for her to work on as she is still very weak on these 3. Waiting for delivery.

Alexandra: thanks for the tips. Its hard especially for us who doesnt know music and cant help her.

DS didn't take Grade 6 even though he was ready because of waiting for theory exam. As it turns out, it was a blessing. He moved straight to grade 7 and took that one months later instead. You do not have to sit every grade.

Good luck to your dd Musicmom

I think the jd's are good for being able to continue other activities too.
Everything being done on one day sounds great.

As for children giving up, maybe it's better to look at the fact that some stop for a little while to concentrate on study.
I know that if dd subject wasn't music I'd be expecting her to cut down when it came to more homework and exams because she isn't bright and has to work at her academic subjects.
It's only because she is determined that music is for her that we wouldn't do this and let her attend her preferred school.

Sometimes I wish it wasn't music as I see what a struggle it can be to make ends meet, the balance between taking a teaching job and the freedom to play for a living. It is so much harder now with very little live music, and downloads, youtube etc make the sale of cd's and dvd's on gigs fewer, these days.

It's always there, like riding a bike. You might be a bit rusty at first and your fingers forget where they are supposed to go and you can't whizz about so much, but with regular practise you'd soon pick it up again.

Good luck musicmom. I thought all auditions were over for next september...?

Musicmom1, how exciting, good luck to your dd! Is it in London?

Drummer - yes (as in one of the conservatoirea' junior depts); the sat music programme she is in now finishes at end of yr 6 in any event, and is strings only, so she wants to move a year early if she gets in so she can do her other stuff too

Whereas DS playing mates are all from school and in fact they have all signed up for a summer course together!

musicmom by JD do you mean saturday music school?

Trout - DD likes that too; she has lovely friends in different schools etc from her various music things, and a whole set of Saturday friends. Am hoping this will ease the turbulence of friendship stuff st secondary school!

Full on rehearsals &concert (x2) weekend here, then a two week break before auditioning for JD (!) - not sure of dd's chances and would love to understand her mind when she decides she ants to use at least one new piece.....

I think Dd likes it that at music centre (and in ensembles she plays in) , there doesn't tend to be people she knows from school. So it's a whole new set of friends (and dynamics). It gives her a proper break from the school friendship group .

Fleur I think the probability of teenagers giving up increases if there is a lack of ensemble/social/performance opportunities. The moment they start playing with other people in school or outside, make friends, etc it becomes more fun and part of what being a teenager is about. Performances build their self-esteem and makes them feel good about themselves which also makes them want to keep it up.

Thanks greenleave :) Yes I'd love that to happen with mine too!

Raspberry I know, I was just considering DD giving up maybe when she's a teenager thinking of how I like to have it all organised, you know, instruments, trying to be involved and supportive and then she'd give up. I hope she'll keep at it, it would be a shame to put all this effort in from all of us and giving it up because "it isn't cool" or God knows what reason.

Fleur they are both still playing. DS1 is 18, got to 8 in his brass instrumentss still has lessons and plays in ensembles. He is looking for opportunities at uni. DD is 16 and still playing/ having lessons on sax. She picked up piano after dropping strings and is just about to start Fur Elise!

Thank you NeverEverAnythingEver. Four 15 mins sessions a week sounds about right. How about two 15 mins? Or as a compromise three 10 mins? :) Not aiming at any grades

howabout Thanks for the 3/4 size advice. I think he's outgrown the 1/2 but not too badly. There's a queue for 3/4 at the music school. They said that it's better to be slightly too small than too big. Maybe we'll wait then, unless the teacher says something.

only Having a cello learner and a violin learner, I would say that the cello is more forgiving than the violin but the bow hold is different and I imagine once you have to shift position you will need practice ... Especially in a group - a group of slightly out-of-tune players is not going to make a pretty sound ...

What is minimal practice? I think that's what my kids do ... About four 15min sessions a week.

howabout, ultimately I can I guess... But it seems like cello group is very special to our school, we have violinists too but they don't seem to have the same opportunities as cellists like performing at assemblies for example... Besides it will widen dd's musical experience anyway, so I don't mind to try it, it is practice that worries me...