January Music Thread

Waffle they do like to get ideas in their heads sometimes!! For now though ds is really enjoying just playing so hopefully he now won't be taking his grade 8 until at least year 9. He's had this teacher since he was 10 and I think he has always known that ds would get to around grade 8 standard quite quickly I remember him talking to me about grade 8 just after he had started teaching him and saying "but he won't be doing it until he's at least 14 and more than ready" - at the time I was like ?!? he's only 10 why are you even thinking about it- now I know why

Re; G8 - my sons teacher is happy to work towards his G8 having had some time working on repetoire (and audition pieces!) after his G7. My daughters teacher wants her to do her G8 when she is more than ready.

We're based in the East Midlands but often go to London and Cambridge so will probably do that for violins - but thanks. There is usually extra-curricular stuff on on Saturdays so we may save it for half-term/Easter holidays.

Musicdoc he still has to do his grade 8 but I think the plan is that rather than being something to work towards he does it when he's more than ready !
I can't remember where you are based but Woodbridge violins is very good

Happy New Year everyone! I took two weeks off over the festive period and am so relaxed by it that I missed the start of this thread... I can't believe it's been going 6 years!! My children weren't even playing instruments then....

I have DS (12) - cello, will be doing G8 this summer; he will be in NCO for the 4th year this year.
And DD (10) - violin, slowly starting on G8 preparation; and passed her G4 piano in December. Having been in NCO for 3 years she got an associate membership this year, but also playing in NCCO.

For the first time in what feels like forever, we have no music exams this term! But we do have to look for a full size violin - I spoilt my DD with a lovely 3/4 and now we're struggling to find a full size that matches it. I sense a trip to a big violin shop to try and find something appropriate.

stringchild and trumpetboysmum how lovely that your children are so enthused without the pressure of exams! Hoping to get there soon.

Way to state the obvious

I wondered about this, dd1 is dainty for 12 but definitely slowed down on the growing. Her 3/4 looks biggish on her. I was also thinking when I watched the kennah-mason documentary that Sheku’s cello looked so tiny on him, so I assume a full size covers most adults.

kutik i love the quote and I love the new video. Thank you.

drummers, not sure why it's not appeared but here you go, I'll copy the comments ;

^I made this video compilation of home movies for my mom on Mother's Day, but I also wanted to share it with all of you to make a point about something that's important to me. Watching the videos from my youth, it's clear that I wasn't a prodigy. I was blessed to have parents and teachers who believed in me with their whole hearts and gave me wonderful opportunities to perform and build my confidence as a violinist on stage. As I grew, so did my passion for performing and practicing and I began to win competitions and performance opportunities on my own. Even though I still had so much to learn as a teenager, I believe that people took notice of my passion and dedication, and doors were opened to me that at times I didn't think I truly deserved. I had countless failures and setbacks. Some of them were completely devastating. But I didn't give up and have continued to strive for excellence in playing as well as for passing on my passion to the young musicians of today.
I say this because I want all of you to know that anything is possible. No matter where you are at this moment, you can build something incredible if you just take the time to nurture it and refuse to give up. It's never too young or too old to start something if you truly believe in it with your whole heart.^

Something to share with those who may be interested...

Happy New Year everyone.
Waffle I've been thinking so much of our old friend and just hope she's OK.
Congratulations on all boot camps achievements.
We've had a non holiday, just GCSE mocks revision, music composition and practice. Managed to make DS take 1st Jan off to sleep in and watch with me the Vienna concert. As soon as it was finished he went off to learn the Radensky March on the snare. So now he's ready for the gig
kutik I watched that link but there were no comments which you mentioned...?

Alexandra the shed was very much coveted by a friend at Christmas! I gather he has ordered brochures...It is a very good solution although a bit chilly this time of year (except for DS1 who just doesn't feel the cold).
Waffle please do tell our absent friend we miss her!

I understand the cellist wanting to practise in the same condition as the concert (chair). DS plays piano and violin. I like the known feeling of violin - wherever he goes, he plays with his familiar violin and bow. With piano, you never know of the key weights, action, pedals, etc, and has to adopt instantly whatever given... It can be quite a gamble!

Happy new Year everyone. I haven't posted for a few months (due to rl stress) but I have followed. I have a 9 year old dd who plays violin and Clarinet with exams likely in both before she turns 10 .

Really wanted to wish the aforementioned poster all the best too

DD wasn't little, I suppose, so she just used whatever was there when she played cello.

I can remember the soloist I had to look after from BSO (guest soloist at a local concert) wanted his practice chair to be identical to the concert chair, so he could position his cello properly during his warm-up

No, cellists are ok!

Waffle when you contact our old friend, please tell her she is missed and I hope they are all ok.

When they're little Kutik... DD2 takes her chair everywhere 😂