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Extra-curricular activities

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Original poster

January Music Thread

769 replies

Wafflenose · 02/01/2017 22:24

Happy New Year!

Sorry I'm a bit late starting this thread - I've been away for a few days without internet access. Anyway, this is our monthly thread for musicians and parents of musicians of all ages and all abilities. It's a great place to chat, or to ask questions about lessons, practice, exams, auditions or anything music-related.

I have two DDs: Goo (11 and in Year 6) who plays the flute, recorder and piano, and Rara (8 and in Year 4) who plays the cello, recorder and clarinet. I think we have Grade 7 Flute and Grade 1 Clarinet coming up this term, and also the local music festival and Junior Young Musician competition for Goo. Grade 7 Recorder and Grade 3 Cello are tentatively pencilled in for the summer, but we'll think about those nearer the time. Goo is also in NCO, and lives for it... it's all she talks about, she loves writing to and texting all the friends she's made there, and she is in Under 12s this year. I am a teacher of woodwind and have a little clarinetist who's just got into Under 10s. I hope to have a few more trying out next time.

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onlymusic · 28/01/2017 13:28

Anyone's dc are doing g5 violin this term? I feel a bit lonely in our preparation ....

LooseAtTheSeams · 28/01/2017 12:34

Fleur - it's good to have these moments! Funnily enough a similar thing happened to a friend when her Dd wanted to learn clarinet. She happened to mention it to a neighbour who had a perfectly good clarinet sitting in their loft! I think she's on grade 7 now and still using it so it must have been ok. (Allowing for changing reeds etc!)

Fleurdelise · 28/01/2017 12:09

*were (stupid phone)

Fleurdelise · 28/01/2017 12:02

Waffle I just realised, the notes making the funny buzzing noise we're F sharp and G above the stave, I wasn't keeping up. Smile

Fleurdelise · 28/01/2017 11:09

Loose what a great outcome with the cello. I know the feeling of finding an instrument near by, that is how we got the clarinet. We just happened to mention at DD's dance lesson that she is looking to start clarinet lesssons and another mother said she has one barely used at home. It was just the model we were after. Smile

LooseAtTheSeams · 28/01/2017 10:07

That is sad news. just think of the numbers of musicians who have used those books!
We had a nice Inset day yesterday. DS2 tried out some cellos and different bows. Discovered he really, really needs a full-sized cello and he adapted almost immediately. Anyway, he had a lot of fun, we had lunch out together, got home, hour to relax and then piano lesson. At the end of the piano lesson it occurred to me to ask if the teacher knew of any good instrument shops a bit further away from London as we were looking for a cello. Turns out she's looking to sell one! She's going to get it ready for DS2 to look at next week. But I think it's good we tried out some others as he now has a much better idea of the sound he wants.

onlymusic · 27/01/2017 22:51

I have blue, and pink, and even orange.... :)

Original poster
Wafflenose · 27/01/2017 21:08

I feel like I grew up with Eric Taylor, and am sad that he died. I bet quite a few of us have the pink (and maybe the blue) theory book lying around somewhere, and perhaps the workbooks too.

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onlymusic · 27/01/2017 18:56

NeverEverAnythingEver, oh, how sad, thank you for posting

Paulweller11 · 27/01/2017 18:08

Great thanks

drummersmum · 27/01/2017 17:40

paulweller I believe what you're looking for is ZIVKOVIC's FUNNY XYLOPHONE book 1 from the Funny Mallets series. The level is intermediate. They are Zivkovic's original compositions. DS used the funny marimba book 1 when he started four mallet technique. Lots of sellers online.

Fleurdelise · 27/01/2017 16:52

We're at piano and I am starting to be so bored of analysing the three festival pieces. Can't wait till it's over.

Fleurdelise · 27/01/2017 16:38

Oh, he died Sad

Pradaqueen · 27/01/2017 16:10

Aww that's sad neverever, I'm getting miniprada to read it later. I know it's not the case but I sort of feel I know him Sad

NeverEverAnythingEver · 27/01/2017 15:35

www.telegraph.co.uk/obituaries/2017/01/26/eric-taylor-oriental-music-pioneer-obituary/ That's Eric Taylor who wrote all those AB theory books. Sad

NeverEverAnythingEver · 27/01/2017 15:34

Thanks drummers.

Now I have to decode what they say about what to bring. I'm sure it's in English but I'll have to read it again a few more times ...

Paulweller11 · 27/01/2017 15:15

Oh- ah yes gr8 too hard for her at the mo, she's only 7 : )

Kutik73 · 27/01/2017 14:59

Has anyone heard of Old Violin Workshop in Hampton Hill? Any experience? Or, do you know any other shop you could recommend?

drummersmum · 27/01/2017 14:22

paulweller and superbag this is the book DS is using for his marimba g8 piece... I think you wanted g5 standard?

Paulweller11 · 27/01/2017 14:07

Thanks superbaghag- will order it x

Original poster
Wafflenose · 27/01/2017 13:39

Yep, 1.5 are for total beginners, just to let them get a noise to start off with. I change them over long before Grade 1! Yes, there is a higher E and F. Rara is currently doing the D, E and F of which you speak, with varying success. She was going to play 'Aura Lee' and 'Frankie and Johnny' for the festival, but is so in love with 'Syncho-Rock 2' after about one week that she is considering changing to that. It's in four days... aargh!

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Fleurdelise · 27/01/2017 12:00

Waffle the E and F at the top of the stave, just before you go above the stave. Is there an E and an F higher than that?!Confused

I think she needed a stronger reed anyway, while she still finds it hard to blow she is happy that she can play the note without the vibrating buzzing noise.

Original poster
Wafflenose · 27/01/2017 11:49

Very glad about the Es and Fs Fleur... last week, I thought you were talking about the ones using five and six fingers, plus thumb and register key, but now I wonder if you mean an octave higher than that? (VERY high?) as technique is different and hard reeds definitely necessary.

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drummersmum · 27/01/2017 10:25

neverever DS has always had his drums exams on Sunday, every single one!
disorganised imho it's always good to flag something like this with the teacher as it may open dialogue. If I were a teacher I would like to know my student hates this certain piece and is struggling to find the motivation to practice ..

ealingwestmum · 27/01/2017 10:04

Kutik I would also agree with Prada. It's also good discipline for when they get more involved in orchestra/ensemble parts, it won't always be stimulating repertoire but they learn to adapt as part of contributing to a wider group. The teacher will often know how the balance works between A,B & C pieces to showcase DC to the best of their ability. If it were more than the one piece he hated, I would have had a quiet word as there's no point in pulling teeth...

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