January Music Thread

DD's piano teacher is allowing DD to choose her pieces up to a point. She had insisted a few months ago for DD to play Bach, eve if DD didn't enjoy it. She said it is good for her development but she did after a while acknowledged DD didn't like it, the teacher made sure she learnt what she was meant to and moved on.

Now with the grade 5 piano pieces she insisted DD needs to learn a certain B piece as it is a style she never played before. Other than that DD chose her other two pieces. Guess what, the B piece is DD's favourite. Thank God, otherwise she'd say to her teacher on and on how much she hates it.

Thank you all for your comments.

What Pradaqueen says is exactly why I am hesitating to have a word to the teacher. I know the teacher gave DS this piece as he sees this useful for future studies. But then on the other hand, I feel why DS has to endure when there are enough repertoires to choose from... Surely there will be plenty alternatives DS would feel more excited.

DS usually likes what he is playing, so I have never seen him so reluctant to learn and I fear it may have a negative effect on his enthusiasm. But then, sometimes you have to go through this kind when the intention is good...

I have no problem with DS keeps studying this piece, but I may ask the teacher to choose something else for performance/recording... I cannot see DS puts much effort to polish this up to the standard...

DS sometimes moans about the piano pieces he and his teacher chose together. So far I haven't interfered, but as a piano player myself I feel that there is enough in the piano repertoire that you never need to play anything you don't like.

Kutik, I'd listen to the teacher. Miniprada' teacher allows her to choose up to a point but then reasons with her as to why a particular piece is better - it may be good to try Gershwin/ Mozart etc or the technique of the piece is useful for future studies. A contrast of styles is useful for music festivals and auditions. Maybe check with the teacher on this?

Kutik73 if the plan is to try a different style, how about asking for a different piece but still in that style? It sounds like the intention is good, ds just might need to try more than one piece?

Thank you for your comment, Trumpetboysmum. DS's piano teacher always let him choose his exam pieces in the past. DS has never taken violin exams so I am not sure how his violin teacher would do though I guess I may have felt more flexible if we were talking about exam pieces.

This piece was given to broaden DS's knowledge and experience in a different style as he had been working on a particular style (period) for quite a while. It seems a well-thought choice for the purpose. I just feel, is it OK to say 'no' in this case... Or am I thinking too much so just tell the teacher? I don't want to offend the teacher's choice...

Oh I would definitely mention it to the teacher last year ds hated one of his exam pieces so we changed it

My DS is not very keen on one of his new pieces given by his teacher. It's apparently very popular and I can see why but somehow he finds it quite dull... It's not that he finds it harder hence he is reluctant - actually other pieces are harder. He just doesn't like it....

He is a kind of child who doesn't need to be nagged to practise, but first time ever I have to nag for this piece! I told him just learn what he has to learn then move on to the next one quickly!

But then, his teacher told us at the last lesson he was thinking to polish this up to the performance standard (so it's not just a brief study), and possibly recording.... The teacher knows my DS dislikes this piece but is not aware how much!

Is it too rude to ask the teacher any consideration? Could we suggest that we may come back to the piece later and focus on the other pieces meanwhile (hopefully my DS's taste changes then he may be OK with it later on)? Or should we just stick to it?

After I read a couple of comments on having a spare, I decided to save up to buy one when my DS moves to 4/4 or secondary school. I am a natural born worrier like some of you here so having a spare gives me some piece... We have two pianos though this just happened so not as a spare!

disorganisedmummy - I am quite thrilled to learn your DS's challenge. Your DS plays the same instruments as mine, and we thought about applying for JDs this spring too (we decided not to in the end). I hope you can change the date without any fuss (I suppose you can, maybe you can just say he is not available on the given date so no need to mention that he is not ready?). I pray for you and your DS's success"!

That is awesome Fleur. I love it when DS finally gets a tricky bit right

Update on the high notes on the clarinet, the weird buzzing noise is gone and we can hear beautiful Es and Fs. Thank god! I was ready to chuck the bloody thing out the window. Not sure what did it, the mouthpiece, the reed or if it came naturally, but it all happened at the same time (New mouthpiece and reed) and you should have seen the look of satisfaction on her face! She was so proud when she did it, we even high fived

disorganised good luck with the audition!

NeverEver DD's first exam was school day and the following ones were Saturdays. Didn't even know they were examining at the weekend. So Sunday sounds about right.

Thanks everyone. Unfortunately my dh doesn't agree and wants me to speak to the Head Of Strings tomorrow and see if we can move the date.😬

Disorganised - please don't worry; they know exactly when they last saw him so won't expect two terms progress in less than a term:) i am sure having a date will motivate him!

DS2 just got exam date for his drums exam - it's on a Sunday! Is that normal?

No worries, disorganisedmummy. Last year my DD did JD audition and got in. In fact she just did the grade 3 before Christmas.

It might be worth a call but I honestly wouldn't worry he's got nothing to loose by giving it a try and it will be a really useful experience for him whatever the outcome

Lol Trumpetboysmum, I don't think you were being negative. I'm just a natural born worrier. The Head Of Strings who assessed him just before Christmas said he would like to see him in 2 terms time when he has upped his practice. But the date they've given him isn't quite a full term net alone 2. I'm not qualified in any way to know whether he will be ready in 8 weeks time or not. Not sure whether to ring/email Guildhall/HoS.

Sorry disorganised that sounded a bit negative and it wasn't meant to !! If I remember correctly your ds has already had an advice lesson so they obviously think that he is the right standard which is great I just always try and keep these things in perspective as it helps me not to worry

I think we probably worry more than our children do . I always tell ds just have a go and see, if you don't get in or you do a performance and it doesn't quite go to plan it's not the end of the world. Ds's trumpet teacher believes that it's how you cope with failure that will determine whether or not music ( as a career) is the right path for you , I think this is pretty sound advice

Hi everyone. I'm struggling to keep up with everyone's childrens progress. So I'll say a big well done to you all!
We've just had the date through for ds's audition for JD which is 15th March,much earlier than expected. I'm now terrified that he won't be ready. His violin teacher thinks it will motivate him more. I hope so. He did 45 mins practice last night and that was before we knew he date. I'm having a bit of a freak out at the moment so if anyone can calm me down/give advice/hold my hand I would be very grateful!!

Latinfortelly it sounds as though your dd is doing just fine as long as she's enjoying it. My too also practice like that especially on the piano ( ds is a bit more critical of his playing on the trumpet) if they let me listen in I will often say that was great etc but which bits do you think you need to go over ds's trumpet teacher also gets him to record his practice sometimes to encourage him to really listen to what he sounds like
It now looks like this term is going to be even busier than I thought as DS really enjoyed his day with aldeburgh young muscicians this week and has decided to audition for them . I'm not sure that he's really ready yet but it will be a good experience for him anyway ( the auditions are quite creative I think !!)

@paulwellar11 After G5 pieces we moved to www.amazon.co.uk/Masters-Marimba-24-Classical-Masterpieces/dp/B0018MJTW4?tag=mumsnetforum-21

She loves this book and it's a nice diversion from grade pieces.

Thanks for your help at the weekend, folks. I think DD will be offered an exam slot. We are not really as high-powered as all your musical children but I will tell you a bit about DD. DD is 11 and is doing grade 3 piano this term. She started learning at 8. I think she is capable but not very focused. She's impatient I think, and gets bored learning the pieces, and her practice therefore isn't very efficient (rattles through the bits she can do, stumbles through the harder bits, then rattles on...). She sings as well in the regional youth choir, which she loves.

Good luck to everyone doing auditions etc!

I hope you get the offers you wish for TRL and Prada!