January Music Thread

Just been catching up on this thread. I think I need to make some scales cards up after scholarship auditions are done with - my son did say last summer term that he wanted to work towards grade 8s but has hardly played any scales since the summer holidays. Lucky-dip scales might just work for him.

As for a "scales boot camp" idea, actually that could really work for a lot I think. My sister and I didn't do any violin exams until grade 8, admittedly we were well up to standard at that point, but went to a teacher specifically to learn our scales (and studies that were required for our exam board), which we did over about a term I think. Subsequently he started a group scales class to prep others for grade 8.

Maybe I'll revise my scales properly while working through them with my son, and then try arranging a bootcamp and see if there is any interest!!

Thank you so much for all the helpful cello advice everyone, I really appreciate it.

Unfortunately there are no half-sized cellos available on Ebay or Gumtree in our area or on that Elida site.

After thinking about it a bit more, we are going for a hire option for a few different reasons. If DD likes the cello and wants to continue, we will in all likelihood have to increase the size in a year tops. I take the points about set-up and I think the cheaper to buy cellos online will prob be a lower quality than the ones available to hire.

There's an instrument hire shop at the Barbican so am going to pay them a visit tomorrow if I can fit it in in between work meetings. According to their website they have a Primavera 100 half-size to hire for 55 pounds for 3 months so hopefully that will be ok to start with. I will ask them about case options and I will definitely be asking about rucksack straps!

The DCs are having their piano lessons this afternoon and then we are making a decision about whether to enter DD for Grade 2 this session or not as the deadline is next week...

Could we ask some advice please, Waffle?
What would you recommend for a tenor recorder for a biggish 10 year old? Wondering between the Aulos and Yamaha. DC has Yamaha in descant and treble. She has tried out the Yamaha (with keys) before but I read the aulos was more suitable for little hands?

Mending, you can get double bass cases with wheels incorporated, or wheels that you add on with straps which I have, I would not be without them now, the other three basses in the orchestra have the incorporated wheels. I would love to get a gig bag with space for music for daughters oboe, but she is making do with an old laptop bag as the one I like is £60 which is a bit much just after buying the instrument which came in a perfectly good case!

We always go for a hard case for a Noo's violin kutik! Far more prone to being flung around and damaged!!! The padded bag for the cello is pretty sturdy though, and for DD2 (who is only 7) a hard cello case would be too bulky I think... and probably overkill unless it's a very expensive instrument. However, when we have to invest in a full size cello, I'm going for full-on Kevlar!!! 😳

I don't think weight will be a big factor though, unless it's really really heavy. DS had a normal soft case up to 1/2, then got a wooden one covered with fabric for his 3/4. It was def much heavier than previous cases so I was not sure if it was a good choice. But you get used to it. We never take any notice how heavy his case is compared with some of his friends'. However it's violin. Perhaps for larger instruments it may make a difference so can be a big factor?

There are light-weight hard cases on the market. Some of them look like a soft case as it has fabric on the outside. But they are not cheap as folk pointed.

With the hard bag vs soft bag, most 'beginner' cellos seem to be in soft bag here - these all belong to the music service so they must be happy enough with the protection they give. Dd1s violin has always had a hard case, and when we brought her full size we went for a pretty solid case, it's heavier but thats not really a problem. The bass is in a soft bag, dd2 probably wouldnt be able to carry anything heavier

2nd i know the baffled feeling- im a brass player and the kids play flute, violin, piano, drums and now double bass! I now need to purchase one of those non slip Black holes mentioned up thread and a stool/ chair- we've managed to rigg up a temporary solution with a tripp trapp chair with some extra height added.....

japanese we just bought a new Prima 200 which is lovely but a lot more money. As she's starting out, I would think as long as you get it set up properly and change the strings for something a bit better quality you will be fine. A bad set up will hinder her though as it's quite hard to get a true sound from the lower two strings if not right. I'd be nervous of buying online, but if you do, perhaps take it to a good luthier for a bit of work? Hard case not necessary initially, they Are heavy and cumbersome and will cost you around £200! Our luthier advised against a hard case as people assume it will protect them from everything and take less care. Better just to fork out a few quid on insurance....

DD needed a 3/4 cello at just turned 12 and is petite. It does seem a particulay bad time to buy new. BassBags have been recommended to hire from but to be honest, we’ve always had good luck with ebay, gumtree etc plus fancy strings and a spruce up at our local place.

I think the bargain basement page of the Elida trading website has some good cello deals too.

Japanese - is your dd at a state school currently? The reason I ask is that there is a scheme where you can buy a new instrument through their school or music centre and not pay VAT. Has to be purchased through the school/music centre and change hands on the premises.

I don't know about the money side but I would strongly recommend a hard case. DS has a soft one but it's still OK as I'm normally with him when he takes his violin out of our house. But I would def invest on a hard case when he gets a decent full sized one or he starts travelling without me.

I sometimes see children put their violin case (violin inside) under the desk and rest their feet on it (just around where the bridge would be!). I always feel the urge to tell them not to do it!

Hope all the exams & auditions are going well for those taking them.

DD had her first cello lesson today which she seems to have enjoyed. DP took her as I was en-route back from a 4-day conference.

We are now looking to buy a cello. The Saturday school offer to make a purchase through them but I think we're going to get one online. Her teacher has suggested a half-size cello, DD is an average-sized 11-year-old and am thinking we will prob need to get her a size up in a year or so. The half-size cello we're looking at is about 250 pounds - do you reckon that sounds about ok or are we going to end up with a total dud at that price?

DD has to take the cello on the bus to her lessons - any advice on whether a hard or a soft case is better for public transport journeys?

Thanks for any advice!

2nd - wait until she plays a low B flat. It sounds like a ship leaving port! Something to puzzle the neighbours with

Waffle, if I lived in your area, I would be your willing PR!

Do you run aural/theory boot camp for your pupils? They've never been my concerns as they are DS's strength, but I know plenty parents who would love to arrange one or two for their DCs, especially run-up to exams.

2nd, DD2 doesn’t use a seat strap, but uses a spike that can be attached to the bottom. This then sits in a non-slip ‘Black Hole’ more usually used for cellos. I think it is a specially made attachment. You can get bassoon harnesses too.

Dd started on a mini bassoon aged 8, then a tenoroon after about 5 months and then a short-reach bassoon. Basically it was the same as a full sized one, but the keys and holes were a bit closer together to allow small hands to play and some of the holes were covered. She’s changed again to one with open holes, but still short reach and has only been using the hand rest since October, just before her NCO audition when her hands grew big enough. She’s 11.

Exciting 2nd! Is she on a full sized bassoon? I forget how old she is.

fist = first...

Good luck with exams, miniDouble!

DS was all smiling when I went to collect him. He said he did very well (of course....). Tomorrow is a much waited play date - he will have fun with his mates.

11+ exams are over but the auditions haven't been done yet. He has one next Wednesday. It's the fist slot on the day - DS would still be half-asleep!

double best of luck with exams to your DD too.

Folk - dd is in her second year at JD and loves it. It has def made our lives easier (esp as she is joint first study so too Ma y lessonsto fit in) and the chamber work etc is excellent. Her timetable is 9am until 5.45 with few breaks - again a joint first study consequence prob - so with travel a v long day but she wouldn’t stop now 😀