(Mostly) August Music Thread

Thank you Mistigri! I am on the other side of the Atlantic. It's the Royal Conservatory of Music. I will give your comments some thought

amouse I would find a local teacher for advice before you buy anything - there may be more suitable ways of starting than with a full drum kit, ie using other percussion instruments.

Hello mamakoukla - I'm also an adult guitar learner though not classical.

Re exams, I think it really depends on what you want - there is no reason not to take the exams as proposed but do you want to spend all your time learning exam material? I think it comes partly down to personality, whether you want your learning to be highly structured or more freeform.

I don't know anything about RCM but as a general comment it is normal for committed teenage and adult learners to progress quickly through the grades (ie more quickly than a primary age child).

Hello! I have been lurking on the thread for a while and love reading about everybody's journey and progress. It is a very warm and friendly thread. I have a question you may be able to help me with especially as so many are going through grade exams for music. I am an adult learner (classical guitar) and took my very first music exam ever in June with RCM. Hedging my bets, I started at the preparatory level To my great surprise I passed with distinction (still trying to digest that). My teacher had proposed to take Level 1 in Jamuary and Level 2 in June. Is this too quick?

amousehas the issue at 4 is the physical "reach". Some 4 year olds can't reach the pedal or extend their arms enough to hit a ride or a crash. DS started a group percussion class at 5. They did african drumming etc and learnt to count the beat and lots of things which constituted a base. This wss for a few months then he started 1-2-1 lessons either just before 6 or at 6 I can't remember. We bought a Pearl Traveller kit and nine years later it's still standing and sounding great in spite of practice of up to 5 hours a day this summer. The cymbals were rubbish and soon needed upgrading but they were good for a couple of years. It also came without a crash which we bought separately. And of course the snare skin has needed a couple of changes. Why don't you take him to a shop and sit him at a real kit and see what happens physically. Also you could have a lesson consultation at a teacher's kit and see what they say?

DS1 started in year 3 aged 8 and that year his class also had whole group salsa percussion lessons, which led to him joining a junior percussion group at the music centre. I know at least one other percussion group linked to the music centre that takes very young kids to do percussion and they love it. Another kid I know must have been 6 when he started lessons. I wished I'd started DS1 then, tbh, though he has a great teacher now and is quite obsessive about technique!
Incidentally, drum kit really can inspire a wider interest in all forms of music. Traditionally my dc's secondary school didn't put much focus on music. DS1 tells me interest in drum kit is now so high they have three teachers coming in to give lessons. I know their focus is rock rather than classical but it's definitely helped to boost take up of music gcse in the face of a declining trend elsewhere and so led to exploring other types of music, too.

Ds startes stum lessons at 5. It started with Lots og rhythm games, om body clapping patterns etc. As well as using the drum kit in his lessons. He started in the Autumn and loved it so he got a drum kit for Christmas. He's 7 now and still loves it.

I should add on the junior kit even if not just a phase and he gets more serious he will quickly outgrow it so no point spending a lot of money on a new one. We had one and I think it become inadequate for practice after grade 1

amousehas| my son started lessons around 6 and I know many others who have around that age. For some it worked, for others they were too young. 4 sounds too young to me for drum lessons but perhaps a local teacher might be interested and if a good teacher should still be fun - in fact more fun! Regarding a kit how about just buying one off eBay (usually lots available) and if just a phrase you can probably sell it on around what you paid for it. You might also think about something more general to learn about music more generally. Some of the county music services run groups for young children where they gain a general introduction to music including learning about rhythm.

She loved it hapsburg. She did U10 last year with two other bassoonists and all three of them got in again this year. They all share the same teacher now and do a weekly double reed band together so have built up a great bond. Not sure what will happen next year if they all get in again as two would be eligible for U11 again and one would be U12.
Sorry mouse, I know nothing about percussion although there are one or two people on here who might be able to help. Welcome though!

Hello, not sure if I've found the right place, but I'll give it a try.

My 4yo has been showing a real interest in the drums over the past few months. We've taken him to live shows (proms / festivals) and he's been fascinated. He's concocted a drum kit of sorts and he has me put rock bands or other percussion on the to so he can drum along. He does seem to have a bit of rhythm, he's not just hammering the things blindly.

We have a relatively well soundproofed garden room at the bottom of the garden, away from neighbours. We could buy him a beginners kit for xmas but I'm worried it's just a phase and that he's too young for lessons. I don't want to take the fun out of it.

So when should I start taking it seriously and how?

doubleup no idea, if there is anything we haven't found it yet! A couple of years ago they had planned to come and stay with us for a weekend - when I mentioned DD's sports day was on the Saturday and then an NCO Hever Castle Concert on the Sunday (both of which were lovely days out involving picnics etc) they cancelled their trip.
Hope your DD enjoyed under 11's, mine loved it and made some of her best friends - they are all still together now in Main.

Glock not block of course - damn autocorrect.

We bought a PP block 2-3 years as needed for a local orchestra concert. Don't think it has been used since! So my advice would be not to bother :)

Hi all, any recommendations on Glockenspiels? Percussion plus has been mentioned as a much cheaper alternative to Yamaha ones?

hapsburg that is sad. What would they rather have the kids doing, if not music? Is there anything they would have come to watch?

We are used to it fleur, I know classical music is not everyone's thing and other family members do come along sometimes, just not the grandparents!

That is so sad to read hapsburg

Spent far too much on music over the weekend - just realised how much as dispatch emails started popping in
Lovely to hear about the grandparents enjoying DC's music Make the most of the clapping and crying, my parents have never seen DD play in public - they have had many many opportunites, 5 years of NCO and lots of solo/small ensemble things and masterclasses etc all over the country so some have been within easy travelling for them. I have offered to buy tickets, they have a car, are not too old, in good health etc just don't seem to be at all interested.
My Dad took it a step further last time they stayed with us - when DD was practising he would ask how long 'that racket' was going to last and at one point even turned up the volume on the TV as she was disturbing his viewing (she was playing in a different room but our house is very small)! Sadly this has resulted in DD refusing to go and stay with them this holidays as she didn't want to miss out on practice with auditions coming up, but she didn't want to take instruments to their house just to get that reaction.

foundout that must have been so scary! That's what drove me crazy, I asked DS why didn't he text me first to let me know he's fine but he didn't know there's been a death. His phone was off also as the battery went so you can imagine the feeling when I called and it went straight to voicemail. Luckily I had the numbers of a couple of his friends and called them immediately, they assured me he was fine while he was queuing to get a portable charger. When I've seen his text and then called him 20 min later I burst into tears instantly. Then I had to go and pick him up which meant 4 hours spent on the motorway but somehow it didn't matter anymore.

Double that is sooo sweet, I bet that's how my mum and IL would react if dd would get into NCO. It must make them feel so proud!

Fleur, glad your DS is OK. Heartbreaking for the family involved and for any friends that were there with him.

On the subject of grandparents and their appreciation for their grandchildren's music making, My mum came down from Scotland to see the NCO Under 11 concert yesterday and was sitting with tears coming down her face at the end. I think she enjoyed it....

Hm, yes, DH and dc were abroad in a city when a terrorist attack happened in a nice park. There is me trying to contact them without much success. He hadn't even realised about the bomb explosion till his sister (same country but different city had contacted the place he was staying at).

Fleur oh gosh, dreadful shock. So glad DS is back safely and that he had a good time - and I'm impressed he mostly kept in touch. Mine is hopeless - he basically thinks his phone is for Spotify.
I really love the clapping grandparents and their pride in the grandchildren! My ILs are just the same!

drummers the death is unexplained but I can only assume is drugs... The Boy is now safe in his bedroom sleeping. He's been really good and I trust nothing too much went on as he texted and sent pics 5-6 times a day but you never know what can happen, you can't keep them locked forever.

Hahaha at your parents clapping for everything, my IL do the same, dd practises, I can hear when she's not following what her teacher asked her to do and before I open my mouth I can hear "brilliant" and they clap excited. she could play ba ba black sheep for all it matters, they are extatic.

How dreadful Fleur and what a fright for you Was it drugs? I haven't been on the news today.

Grandparents have stopped clapping during practice thank God. I think my mum has even fallen asleep in the drums room while he's playing right now which is just inhuman - she is wearing the pneumatic drill headphones though.