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October Music Thread

995 replies

Wafflenose · 01/10/2018 22:17

Welcome to the thread for October, which is open to ANYONE who wants to discuss music lessons, practice, exams, auditions, instrument hire/ purchase or whatever related issues you'd like to. Newbies are especially welcome, and we have some each month, often with beginners. All of our kids were beginners once.

I have two DDs. Goo is 12 and plays the flute and piano. She can also play recorders and the piccolo, but doesn't. We've just moved her to another piano teacher because the first one retired, so it's nice to hear her practising again. She has been learning for about 2.5 years and hasn't done any exams... nor is she intending to. On the flute we have extended range scales, the Chaminade Concertino and Bizet's Carmen Fantasy at the moment. She plays in 7 school ensembles and does NCO and South West Music School, although she's likely to be leaving both at various points during this academic year.

Rara is 10 and plays the cello and clarinet regularly, and recorder sometimes. She's vaguely working towards Grade 5 on both, but it might end up being 4 on the cello because of various aspects she's behind in... we'll see. I am still teaching her the clarinet and am currently super fed up because however kind, patient and helpful I am, she behaves in such a horrible way. We can't afford lessons. Ho hum. Rara also does NCO and SWMS. Under 11s will be beyond her, but she'll carry on with SWMS for now.

I am a teacher of woodwind!

OP posts:
stringchild · 27/10/2018 14:23

Hi Alexandra - there seem to be a range of experiences depending on playing volume, pain threshold etc. Dd struggles with train tracks every time they were tightened - really really hurt to play for a week or so afterwards. Also list a lot of brackets etc - Dentist said due to playing do much?- so we were always having to fit in extra appts. Dentist was v unhelpful indeed and couldn’t understand why dd had to play so much. We def had slower treatment progress as had to keep timing tighten gas away from auditions and concerts (difficult at some pints in the year). We moved Dentist to one to working with young musicians and it has been do much better - dd now uses inviting which seem expensive but we were spending a lot on tracks extra visits etc so I don’t think anymore expensive overall. We were also lucky dd’s Teacher had been through the same as a teenager and lowered her expectations with the tracks.

I know others who haven’t had the same problems with brackets and pain but a sympathetic Dentist would be a great help I think.

AlexandraLeaving · 27/10/2018 14:03

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

CoffeeTeaChocholate · 27/10/2018 11:26

Yes Romany - unless I am too late Smile?

littleladsdad · 26/10/2018 19:28

Thank you folk, seen this just in time!

Floottoot · 26/10/2018 17:52

John Williams himself was meant to be conducting, but he's ill, apparently. 😥

folkmamma · 26/10/2018 17:51

Oh no! Just seen he's too poorly 😔

folkmamma · 26/10/2018 17:49

Great John Williams concert live on classic fm tonight guys. X

PetraDelphiki · 26/10/2018 15:36

Yes please romany

Doubleup · 26/10/2018 09:37

I’m a bit late to the party, but yes Romany if you are still after comments.

LooseAtTheSeams · 26/10/2018 08:52

Yes Romany but only if you still want to be sending messages - suspect it's got busy!

Brasstacks · 25/10/2018 23:45

Yes Romany!

Are there any good residential courses suitable for younger players for folk, Scottish fiddle, jazz, Klezmer, etc.?

hertsandessex · 25/10/2018 23:12

Yes Romany although your message box has probably overheated by now :)

Floottoot · 25/10/2018 21:51

cantkeepaway, that sounds like a great day! Glad he enjoyed it.

raspberryrippleicecream · 25/10/2018 21:39

Yes here also Romany

Greenleave · 25/10/2018 21:26

Yes please, Romany

ZakStarkey · 25/10/2018 20:57

That’s good Taggie

catkind · 25/10/2018 19:29

Happy to look if you don't already have enough Romany.

stringchild · 25/10/2018 18:36

Yes 😀

Wafflenose · 25/10/2018 18:32

Yes. Of course!

OP posts:
folkmamma · 25/10/2018 17:37

Yes Romany 😊

TaggieOHara · 25/10/2018 17:37

Zak - an advantage of trinity is that you can opt for an instrument specialist examiner if you are prepared to travel.

Romany - yes please. I’m curious!

Boyskeepswinging · 25/10/2018 17:25

Zak I agree about the technique 100%. My boy is a percussionist and you see kids who've passed Grade 8 but their technique is shocking. To a violinist or pianist it probably looks fine but to the trained eye it is dreadful. My lad is another who's only doing Grade 8 and Diploma and that's only to help him to get into his chosen uni course.

Boyskeepswinging · 25/10/2018 17:19

Yes Romany

se22mother · 25/10/2018 17:14

Yes please @RomanyRoots

MeltingWax · 25/10/2018 17:06

Yes, happy to be PMed

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