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Extra-curricular activities

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Original poster

(Mostly) August Music Thread

842 replies

Wafflenose · 28/07/2017 14:29

Here's a new thread for August, but we're starting it a few days early, because you lot have managed to be super chatty this month! I wonder if things will slow down in August due to people going away... maybe or maybe not?

I'm Waffle, a teacher of woodwind - mostly recorders and clarinet, but I have a couple of flutes currently, and teach saxophone, piano and theory when required. I am determined that the music threads should be open to ALL, including complete beginners and adult learners. It's a good place to discuss lessons, practice, concerts, exams and our generally hectic lives!

I have a DH who plays the guitar for pleasure (no lessons) and two girls. Goo is 11 and has her Grade 7 Flute (March 2017) and Grade 6 Recorder (December 2015 and now pretty much stopped Sad ). She has been learning the piano for 15 months, is refusing to perform in any way, shape or form, but will probably take Grade 5 next year. Rara is 9 and has Grade 3 Cello (July 2017), Grade 3 Recorder (December 2016 and also ceased) and is working towards her Grade 3 Clarinet... probably next spring. Goo is off to NCO Under 12s on Sunday, and we need to pop out to get her some shoes and general supplies in a bit.

I have just realised that we will probably have Grade 8 Flute and Grade 3 Clarinet going on in the same session, Spring 2018. Oh dear! If Rara bothers with Grade 4 Cello, we'll probably have that at the same time as Grade 5 Piano, next summer. Double oh dear!

OP posts:
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Original poster
Wafflenose · 02/08/2017 09:23

Thanks, I spotted that earlier. Rara has had a sleepover and I need to sort her friend out, ready for home. I'll pop over after that.

OP posts:
gillybeanz · 02/08/2017 09:19

wafflenose

Somebody has a thread asking for grade 5 standard flute music.
Thought you'd be the one to ask.

Doubleup · 02/08/2017 09:00

Raspberry, good luck with DS' cast and teeth. I can see ortho treatment for DD1 round the corner. She's had issues all the way through with teeth on one side coming through, but the baby teeth not coming out, which has meant that one or two came out rather high and several are a bit wonky. The dentist will assess her at the next visit as to whether they will refer - or whether we have to scrape the money together to go private.
DD2 on the other hand, has quite a major overbite - not quite sure what can be done with that. Doesn't affect her bassoon playing though.

Trumpetboysmum · 02/08/2017 08:54

Oh I really feel for him raspberry. I think lower brass is easier with braces than higher brass. It can improve their technique as they can't press on so hard, but can take some getting used to I think. Is it worth asking about Invisalign ? ( though I'm sure it costs more) I think they can take this out while they practice.

raspberryrippleicecream · 02/08/2017 08:40

Hi all.

Hopefully DS' cast should come off in 2.5 weeks, just before we are away.

He's going to buzz with his trombone mouthpiece every day to keep his lip, but he is also going to give his pbone a go today to see if he can manage to hold it up. Reason being his jazz group is playing at a Festival as get back and he really wants to play.

He has never not practised piano for so long, so it will be weird, however his teacher also does his theory, so she is coming on Friday to boost him with that. He'd already planned G6 next term, so will really be able to crack on with it!

Orthodontics, the canine tooth is too awkwardly positioned to attempt to move, so will need to be removed. He had to have all other baby teeth removed so they can assess his adult dentition. (Adult teeth are through, baby teeth hanging on beside). After this he will have an appointment with the missing tooth specialist(!) to see the best way forward, which may be two years of orthodontics, train track brace. Sigh.

DS2 very upset at this idea, mostly because of instruments. I think trombone should be ok though, any thoughts?

Doubleup · 02/08/2017 00:31

I step away from the thread for one day - while driving for 6 hours south from Scotland (yawn) - and it has moved on another 4 pages. At this rate we are going to need an additional 'totally August' page!

drummersmum · 01/08/2017 23:37

niggle that sounds upsetting. I have had slight tensions with some teachers when DS chose pieces without consulting but most were totally fine. But it never escalated. It's not right.

Fleurdelise · 01/08/2017 23:05

Thanks string! With all the help and advice here and Waffle's private help she should get some pieces going well enough by then.

stringchild · 01/08/2017 23:01

Hi I was just trying to remember which she did for which one; for u10s it was def deep river plus one I can't recall (she had only taken g1); u11 was Bach sinfonia and I think tarantella or witches dance. Def got in on performance/passion level rather than grade level

Fleurdelise · 01/08/2017 22:51

string did your dd audition for under 11? I just want to make sure the pieces are the right standard.

Fleurdelise · 01/08/2017 22:50

I'll have a look. We have two more books to arrive, one is Ultimate Movie instrumental solos which has a grade 3 and a grade 4 piece in it (new syllabus) and the Guest Spot (20 classic hits) which is labelled intermediate level and has Moon River, Imagine and other such pieces. So plenty of choice, I just need to get her working on it after the holidays. We're off on Saturday for two weeks.

stringchild · 01/08/2017 22:47

Yes Waffle is right. All those pieces readily allow a bit of character/ performance to come which is nice for auditions

stringchild · 01/08/2017 22:45

The Schubert Ave Maria that is

Original poster
Wafflenose · 01/08/2017 22:43

I think it's in First Repertoire for Clarinet, and is good fun, and quite easy - all low notes. It has been set for Grade 3 before, but a child I taught played it for a festival last year, not long after his Grade 1 exam.

OP posts:
stringchild · 01/08/2017 22:42

Hi I think it was on the G3 syllabus - she teamed it with Bach sinfonia which is in music through time book 4 (I am. Not sure the Bach is much more difficult than bk 3 pieces but I might be wrong). Other reliable favourites are ave Maria

Fleurdelise · 01/08/2017 22:36

string do you know what book that is in and the standard of it? It rings the bell...

stringchild · 01/08/2017 22:35

Fleur - has dd done Witches Dance? Dd did that for one nco audition; I am v fond of it :)

Sorry no time at moment to catch up with the thread properly but good so many new joiners!

Kutik73 · 01/08/2017 22:26

Do you have any favourite shop for violin in London? Our obvious choice would be the one in Hampton. I like them. But I would like to visit a few more shops as we are looking for a full size one. Any information would be greatly appreciated!

Someone I know spent £5k (excluding bow, shoulder pad, and case). She said it was either £5k or under £1k for her as anything between had no much difference in quality. Do you agree? I have zero idea... Shock

se22mother · 01/08/2017 21:39

Niggle I hope all works out with the teacher. It is very stressful when stuff goes wrong.

We are currently looking for a clarinet teacher. Very stressful for both of us

TheSecondOfHerName · 01/08/2017 21:37

The Royal Society Summer Science Festival also has some activities and workshops for 7-14 year olds.

I promise to stop talking about Science now and get back to the subject of music!

Greenleave · 01/08/2017 21:22

Meant to say Science museums theSecond as its a very easy trip for us(door to door 30mins something)

Greenleave · 01/08/2017 21:14

Yes, we go to the Imperials ones almost every weekend. Googling the Big Bang fair now. I have never been to Birmingham, it is a great chance to visit.

TheSecondOfHerName · 01/08/2017 21:11

Greenleave for a 9-11 year old, the Big Bang Fair would be perfect. The main one was in Birmingham this year, but they have events elsewhere too.

If you are anywhere near London, the Imperial Festival has a lot of stuff for under 11s.

Both of these events are free and happen every year.

Minimusiciansmama · 01/08/2017 21:00

Ahh waffle what a star you are x

Fleurdelise · 01/08/2017 20:50

Have I said how great our Waffle is? She kindly recorded a series of pieces from the book I mentioned for dd to choose. I can't say how helpful it was as dd didn't know what to play.

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