January Music Thread

Thanks all. One more today! One to go next month.

TRL - we've actually played the same pieces - the ones she's nailed every time on both studies regardless if they want 7 or 8 mins. Neither pieces added up exactly to either time - although she does have some in her repertoire that do. I figured two shorter pieces executed well was better than two fitting the time but not as good/ tricky spots that are not always achieved was the right way to go.... We'll see! Of the school's asking for a max playing time, it has felt a bit like a conveyor belt... Two schools did not stipulate a max playing length and that has felt as if the panel has asked more searching questions if that makes sense?

I did feel sorry for the mother who had to lug her DD's harp into one school yesterday though . Although very common, violins are portable

Thanks drummers mum 😀

TRL you too, make that mail slot in your door wider for the FAT envelopes

paulweller ah finally a question about something I should know (away from violins and mouthpieces) and I can't answer it!! DS started tuned perc age 11 and because of his piano o and drums experience he started with grade 6 and 7 pieces. He also never had formal books just pieces his teacher would give him. Sorry I will time permitting do a bit of further research for you.
prada best of luck with auditions. I know they're holding them at DS school this week aswell. Soon it will all be over!

Hope today's audition went well Prada - miniTRL has done her scholarship auditions now (3 in the end, all of which wanted different playing lengths etc - I'd imagined, erroneously, she'd just roll out the same two contrasting pieces). Is tomorrow the end of the interviews & auditions for miniP? Good luck to her. Such a relief here now it's all over although the waiting-for-large-envelopes-containing-HUGE-scholarship-offers is a bit of an anxiety ridden game!

Drummersmum- your expertise is required please, or any other percussionists/parents of percussionists.
Little dd is currently playing Czardina (gr 5 xylophone- Trinity book), also just started looking at Dvorak Humoresque (Abrsm gr5).....
What else could you recommend her playing at around this level, or lower.
But not any higher than this I don't think.
Thanks x

Two music scholarship auditions to go .... One today one tomorrow. Then onwards towards G7 and G6 in March. New orchestra is really helping miniprada wth the sight reading plus new techniques

Fleur thanks - that will spur me on to practise!
Slight head-reeling moment as trying to coordinate so many different things. at the moment I rely on my family calendar on the kitchen wall for times and dates but it's the additional stuff like sharing lifts that is making my head spin! And I think our activities are fairly straightforward compared to those of many other DCs!

For the first time in a very long time last night, l had to ask DD1 to stop playing sax and go to bed. Amazing what a new book of play-along popular hits can do and at the bargain bin price of 89p too!

If anyone is looking for a physical activity for their kids (or themselves!) take a look at Park Run and Junior Park Run. It's free (good for parents shelling out for exams galore!) no need to book just turn up on the day and they are all over the country. You don't need to go every week so easy to drop when you have other commitments. Ours is a 5 min drive away so we are out the house for 40 mins max on a Sunday morning. I appreciate this might not be for everyone. I have a toddler as well so am up early anyway.

Loose I'd love to hear you play.

Waffle thank you, I've decided to get the mouthpiece as DD's teacher said that while she only brings it to the parents attention after grade 3 if I can afford it it will be better in the long run. I think DD will stick with clarinet for a while so I am sure it will be a good investment even if she may not see the benefits just yet. Dreading practice tonight, I hope we'll see an improvement on the high notes.

drummers By "rest" I mean play computer games ...

Loose A bit of terror makes for a more exciting performance!

Now I must go and see about this violin practice.

NeverEver: They need to rest!

Whoops

Never the YouTube performances are dull! I think my Pony Race has a certain frisson - possibly due to split second terrors about getting my fingers on the right keys! I can play it nice and fast now and the last dramatic bit is a lot of fun!
I might record it nearer the exam...

Thanks Waffle that sounds reassuring as I thought there is something she is doing wrong. I'll keep asking her to take it easy but I am sure her teacher will also reassure her in the next lesson. The reeds and mouthpiece should also turn up by then which will make it even more interesting (maybe harder?).

I said in one feedback form from school that they really shouldn't give so much homework and please don't give any homework to be done over the weekend for goodness' sake. They need to rest!

Loose I rather like that Pleasant Meadow piece. And the Pony Race seems jolly.

I think the youtube performances are rather dull though ... Post your Pony Race when you are ready!

Trumpet. I think more teachers would tend to agree.

During last year's parents evening, most subject teachers were giving similar feedback. The final one said she was really happy with DD's work, way and above what was required, but...she was worried about DD's long term mental health. Maybe, she should get a hobby or find some interests that didn't consume so much time spent on homework? And it was ok to fail and make mistakes.

I smiled, nodded and thanked her for her feedback, and that I would share with DD her concerns.

I am dreading this year's one. But we did laugh together when we got home...

I'm with you on that one ealingwest especially when managing ds's excessive homework. he is so driven to do well at everything which is great but he also needs to give himself a break sometimes. I think he is slowly realising that with homework sometimes it's going to have to be about just getting it done and not producing a perfect piece of work ( though I'm sure his teachers would disagree!!)

Waffle yes, Abrsm. I have 'Tempo di Menuetto ( Hummel) Pleasant Meadow (Rybicki) and Indian Pony Race (Glover). That's the old syllabus so if I don't pass I will just move on to playing something else. DS2 is powering his way through the 2017/18 one. He loves Bow Chikjka Wow Wow and liked The happy Farmer but wasn't too impressed by section A, although he's doing fine with Allegretto by Vanhal. I must admit I find section A uninspiring as well despite enjoying older music but I put this down to not being ready for more engaging pieces!

DD is doing trampolining as a sport and she loves it. She used to dance also but gave it up in favour of trampolining.

Waffle I have a quick question, DD is playing the high E and F this week and she makes a very weird vibrating sound before the actual note comes out. Is this something that the stronger reed will fix? I ordered the 2 strength size but hasn't arrived yet, I am not sure what to advise her to do, she gets quite frustrated. Any advice?

The great thing about swimming waffle is that Goo can go back to it if she wants to later, especially if she's got the starts/turns basics and may even find her motivation for competitive swimming aligns with her body form and strength when she's older!

Depending on what day of the week you catch me, it is a double edged sword though, especially in senior years, and can cause so many clashes and calls upon one's commitment by each activity teacher, the more advanced they get. And plays merry hell with music development! Whilst competitive, DD's club does have a flexible squad for those older swimmers that have potential/talent, but cannot commit to the hours required from performance squads. It's a great go-between, especially for those DC that are focusing on exam prep but would still like to keep active, although it can have the odd attitude teenager that's only there because their parents have forced them to remain active. Life in a pool is no fun if you don't want to be there though. Mine has decided to chance it and commit 100% as her form is coming to her late, though she may change her mind in later years. And I try and remain un-resentful (though fail at times) as it has a huge impact on parental commitment, but we already do and understand that that here due to our DCs' music challenges!

Y8 and we are already seeing the big divide between the kids that scam a sickie each games time vs those that love all the sports options available to them...such a tricky time, I am, on balance, relieved that I have an active child as I do think it helps her with her multi-tasking all her loves with keeping up on academics (for now), even if paradoxically she has so little time.

My mantra has recently changed from do the best you can to do the best you can, in the time you have available

I think it's really important that they keep active ( and have a variety of interests even if their main focus is music ) ds loves sport but has chosen to only do school teams so that he has time for music out of school. I said I didn't mind which he chose but he would have to choose either the local football team or one of his bands I'm also a firm believer in them ( and me !!) having some free time