September 2018 Music Thread

Thanks green the exam isn’t until January, so we are just starting some gentle preparation - mainly building confidence in maths. Other subjects are fine, I think (he is MUCH better than me at the reasoning type tests, not that that’s saying much ).

disorganized thank you! I used to use an Oliv E myself, but it was a bit too high tension on my violin, so sometimes squeaked. It was lovely though. I’ll look into whether they are available in 3/4 size. Having said that, I’m pretty sure the budget string place I got the new Dominants from sent me 4/4 and they seem ok... particularly as DH put them on really nicely. He doesn’t play a string instrument but he is very good with his hands, and is in charge of all instrument repairs here!

Hi, ds uses Pirastro Oliv for his E string Dominants on the other 3. The oliv gives a wonderful sound. His teacher recommended the Oliv when his E string snapped. He's also only had it in for around 3 months but has been playing for upto 2 hours most days.

Taggie, miniTaggie2 definitely has made a great contribution to the string business growth:)). We have never had a string replaced(on a crap violin now and hope to move into 4/4 next year). Could be because she doesnt practise much(20mins/day, not every day).

P/S: best of luck to miniTaggie2 for his exam too. Tiffin isnt our 1st choice(and we might not get a choice/place).

Acid fingers here too, Taggie. DS uses Evah Pirazzi gold for E and synthetic for the rest. E doesn't last long... The lovely replacement has Dominant fitted. IF we swap we will keep Dominant for the violin as it seems working well. I suppose Dominant last longer than Eva Pirazzi (esp E)? DS wipes after every use. He keeps two clothes in the violin case - one for the strings and another for the wooden body/bow.

Thanks both!

Six weeks! Wow. I’m reassured that DS2 isn’t the only one with that particular superpower. He practices about 30 minutes a day in term (more in the hols) and did a lot over the summer, so perhaps it isn’t surprising that he is going though strings at such a rate.

Cleaning is good advice. DS2 is very particular about rosin on the strings, but I didn’t think about cleaning the whole string.

I have been considering Eva pirazzi. They have a good reputation for fractional size instruments, and DS2 likes to project. I will invest in a set once this latest set of dominants wears out (I.e. soon!)

We use Evah p too... and the studies book

Dd’s Dominants last about 6 weeks, but she plays for approx- 2-3 hrs a day.

Evah Pirazzi?
Clean strings after playing too

Ffs. This is DS2’s dominant A and E strings after 3 months of use and tbh the E was showing signs of wearing out a month ago.

The photos don’t do the issue justice, but the E string is meant to be covered with the wound material (no bare patches) and the A string is meant to be more or less straight, and not lumpy!

Has anyone got advice on better strings for DCs like this? We have tried tonica (lasted even less time and sounded awful).

Honestly - trust DS2 to choose acid fingers as his superpower

I believe it is Stainer violin 🎻

elena7475, is it Benslow? We didn't go down that route but I think it's a brilliant scheme for aspiring young musicians.

Yes, we can swap if we want. But I noticed the change of the tones of DS's violin in different location/climate, so need more time to give a proper judgement. At least DS can have fun with this lovely violin for the next few weeks or possibly months depending on how quickly the maker decides to work!

Oh Patrick - that made me laugh. Like buses, these things come in threes. Next... the perfect bow

My DS got his violin on loan. (His teacher told him who is doing this). We pay insurance only. Much better violin compare to his previous one.

We got back home from holiday last night, and we received a violin this morning (what's a timing!). It's a replacement while DS's violin is sent back to the maker for some work required. It was supposed to be done before summer but we postponed until now for several reasons.

DS has to live with the replacement for a while so I was a bit worried about the quality of it. But worry not, it's the most beautiful violin DS has ever played. It's pure, bright, deep and warm, and DS said he could produce the sound he would want so effortlessly.

When we were hunting, it took months to find the one we were reasonably happy with. We learnt that it was near impossible, especially within our budget, to find the one that could offer everything we were looking for. Here seems to be the one appeared when we stopped looking!

Nope, nothing is ever planned!

Waffle, ah, well that makes a lot of sense - I'm a bit surprised in a way as I thought they'd need to get in touch sooner to plan out the year in advance, but maybe it doesn't work that way and I'm sure all will be well. I am also getting the impression that they are a bit short staffed! Thanks for your experienced take on it! :)

Bostik this is our 5th year so I have learned to go with the flow. The CEO has just left and they are short staffed. Mentors get in touch all by themselves, but not until at least halfway through this term, in my experience. Remind me what programme your DC is on, and I'll try to be more helpful...

Hello All, I hope your beginning of terms are going well! I can't wait to hear which pieces DS will be playing this term for different ensembles. Being non-musical I hear the piece for the first time, hate it and can't imagine why it has been chosen but invariably LOVE it come performance time. My problem is that I need to hear a piece about 10 times before the tune emerges for me - I'm so glad DS isn't the same!

Waffle have you heard anything from SWMS yet? Other than an emailed list of dates, we haven't had any real details yet. I understand we are supposed to see a mentor soon but time is marching on... I don't like to keep ringing up. :)

Green - we are in Oxford. DS1 is at a school that goes from 7-18 but he wasn’t at the junior dept. DS2’s school stops at 13. DS2 is trying for DS1’s school, but it is quite competitive (not as competitive as tiffin though!!). We’ll see how he gets on. Luckily there are lots of options

I think it is natural to feel jittery. The best advice I got was to pick three schools to try for: aspirational, likely and dead cert and then find something to love about all of them. That saved my sanity with DS1!!

Taggie, any chance you live in SW london too? I somehow remember your DS2 is in an Indie which goes straight to 18. In the past I was worried she could turn into too academic(just her nature) hence all swimming, arts and music thrown in, right now I am worried she isnt good enough to pass the tests awgg.

We had some violin practice this evening, the 4 yrs old didnt give us any privacy so it was rather chaos with her humping in and making the terrible screechy noise. Children have great tolerance for such noise, it doesnt bother them both at all, they laugh like mad but it really hurt my ears.

Hello all, and thanks folk for helping out! We got back on Sunday, but have been busy with unpacking, tackling the laundry mountain, and then labelling, ironing and packing stuff ready for school. The DCs go back tomorrow, and I start work on Thursday. I have three little boys (aged 7 and 8) coming for trial lessons over the next few days, and just over 90 pupils on my books for the coming term - ranging in age from 6 to 70s.

I am mum to two DDs, and have been here almost since the beginning of the older one's musical journey. Goo is 12 and now much taller than me. She plays the flute and piano, and is thinking of going back to the recorder, which she played from age 3 to 11. Her piano teacher has just retired and there have been hysterics over playing to anyone else, but I have managed to find her a nice new one, who lives much more locally. She's carrying on with her flute lessons miles and miles away! After 2 years of piano lessons, she has yet to perform in any way, shape or form! She will do an exam at some point, but her first one is likely to be Grade 5 or possibly 6. And there will be no more flute exams, ever! Rara is 10 and entering her last year of primary school! She will follow Goo to the local comprehensive, so no worries there. She plays the cello and clarinet, is not working on anything in particular, and I've realised that for the first time in years, neither has an exam lined up at all. I have mentally pencilled one in for Rara for March, but if she isn't ready, she can do it next summer instead.

Both girls do SWMS and NCO. Goo is refusing to audition for anything ever again though. That's me told!!

Lovely to hear about everyone’s awesome beginning of term experiences! I have been thinking of Noo today.

And lovely to see green and disorganized Back

disorganised. Very sorry to hear About the teacher troubles. I’m glad to hear that everything is slotting into place now. Do keep us posted about the GH audition!

green. We are in 11 plus/pre test mode as well at the moment! all round, I think...

DS2 goes back to school tomorrrow. My cunning plan of getting Nco audition out of the way before full term (and full chorister commitments) has backfired a bit. They have five concerts before term even starts! Oh well...

hello all.
it sounds like a new year and new challenges for all
I was talking to dh about since the dc starting school, many years ago, I tend to think of September the 1st as The new Year, rather than January.
i think it's the mentality of starting fresh, and most things being new around this time of year. new uniforms, boots, coats, wooly jumpers etc.

Well, dd is back at school now, I have only received texts but seems like she's settling in. I'm hoping she applies herself academically this year, I have lead the horse to water and really done all I can, apart from punish or cajole if the effort isn't forthcoming.

Music wise she has about 4/5 ensembles this year, and perhaps two or three grades. Two grade 8's and Piano grade 5, I believe.
There are about 6 concerts before Christmas too, so she's going to have to be good at prioritising her time.

Great to hear of the latest successes and I too hope to keep up with this thread

Disorganised: no experience or info however wanted to wish you good luck!

Thanks all!

Alex: is it gcse this year? Awgggg!!!
Loose: miss your poshed shed activity news and hope the boys been good.

We have been taking couple of weeks break from piano. There is a plan for G8 Spring term. We will be getting the syllabus books this week!!