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Original poster

November Music Thread

688 replies

Wafflenose · 30/10/2018 22:09

Welcome to all musicians/ parents of musicians, young and 'mature', beginners and advanced, plus everything in between. This is one of the nicest corners of Mumsnet and the music threads were started for my older daughter towards the beginning of her musical journey, 7 years ago. Everybody on the thread was a beginner once!

I have recently seen "we're not a musical family", "I'm not musical" on here quite a lot, and would like to gently challenge that... perhaps you may not have found the right instrument/ teacher yet, or have no desire to play, but I think that everyone is musical. It's not a special something that is limited to certain individuals, although of course everyone's aptitude and natural ceiling varies. I have had the pleasure of teaching almost 1000 people to read and play music now, ranging in age from 3 to 96 and incorporating a range of additional needs, and I think they all got something positive from their lessons! What our young musicians most need from us - whether we play ourselves or not - is lots of encouragement, time and space to practise, and of course the constant taxi service and financial support we give to their lessons and ensembles!

I have two DDs, Goo The Energy Conserver (flute and piano, lapsed recorder and picc player) who is pretty lazy and complacent at the moment and just wants to enjoy her life, and Rara The Awkward (clarinet, cello, recorder) who tries hard... when it suits her! We have nothing special lined up this term, but possibly piano and clarinet exams for next term. Goo claims she wants to dust off her recorders and theory books to get another couple of Grade 8s before she leaves school. I'll believe that when it happens.

Over to you.

OP posts:
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catkind · 26/11/2018 14:44

Just to add more Flowers for piccolo and family. I'm so sorry to hear your news.

horseymum · 26/11/2018 14:15

Sorry to hear this news. Keeping things ' normal' but being flexible to how they are feeling will help I'm sure. Take care.

RomanyRoots · 26/11/2018 13:17

I'm so sorry for your loss piccolo Thanks it was so quick.

Wiifitmama · 26/11/2018 12:44

Piccolo, also wanted to add my thoughts for you but also to say I think you are doing the right thing by trying to keep things normal for your kids with their music activities.

LooseAtTheSeams · 26/11/2018 10:40

piccolo so very sorry to hear your news. Like everyone, I hope you can take time for yourself and I'm sure your brother in law will understand about dates. Thanks

Alsoplayspiccolo · 26/11/2018 10:08

Yes, it's been scarily fast, druid. She was only diagnosed in August. We were told 3 weeks ago that nothing more could be done for her, so she spent the last 2 weeks at home. They had said she would be lucky to still be here at Christmas, but they stopped all food so it was only ever going to be a few weeks at best.
She has 3 children but only one still lives at home, and they are all working, thankfully.

druidsong · 26/11/2018 09:42

This reply has been withdrawn

Withdrawn at poster's request

TaggieOHara · 26/11/2018 09:35

so sorry piccolo for your loss. I hope you can find time today to do whatever makes you feel a little more peaceful.

Don't worry about the piano exam. Your DS is a very musical boy, and will have done fine. The most important thing is that he is now with a teacher, who 'gets' him. And I don't think you are being unreasonable about the funeral dates. Take care xxx

Trumpetboysmum · 26/11/2018 09:32

Piccolo I’m so sorry Flowers I’m sure your ds will be fine in his exam . Take care of yourself

Doubleup · 26/11/2018 09:27

No, I don’t think it’s unreasonable piccolo. We had various family issues/commitments to work through before deciding on a date for my dad’s funeral. It’s a big decision for everyone.

Alsoplayspiccolo · 26/11/2018 09:22

Thanks, double, milk and Melting.
Yes, the aurals are fine, at least. I'll try not to stress about the rest - it's really not important in the grand scheme of things.
I've just had to message my brother in law, gently mentioning a couple of dates that are logistical nightmares for us before he sorts out the date for the funeral. I'm desperately hoping he doesn't take offense and think I'm asking him to work around us, but I couldn't not say anything - both DS and DD have performances with school that would be really difficult to miss.
Is that unreasonable of me?

MeltingWax · 26/11/2018 09:15

I am very sorry for your loss piccolo Flowers

Good luck to your DS - am sure he will be fine. It sounds as though he has worked hard - and the aural part he will have done before.

I hope you can take some time out for you Flowers

Lotsofmilkonesugar · 26/11/2018 09:09

So sorry to hear your news piccolo . I hope you are able to take some time for yourself. I’m sure your DS will be fine, it sounds as though he’s very musical and has done exams before so he will be prepared x 💐

Alsoplayspiccolo · 26/11/2018 09:06

Thanks, Waffle. He's only been playing a year and had to change teacher at the start of term, having to learn a new piece and all the scales since then. He was tied up with preparing for grade 5 theory and cello performances/NCO audition until a couple of weeks ago too, so it all feels too rushed. I just want it to be a positive experience for him, as he wanted to give up before he changed to the new, super-encouraging teacher.

Doubleup · 26/11/2018 09:04

piccolo, so very sorry about your sister. Take care of yourself - the exam will be fine, I’m sure.

Original poster
Wafflenose · 26/11/2018 08:43

I am so, so sorry about your sister. Thinking of you all at this sad time. Try not to worry too much about your son's exam - if he has worked hard up to now, he will be fine. Look after yourself. x

OP posts:
Alsoplayspiccolo · 26/11/2018 08:27

Sorry I've been out of the loop recently. My sister died on Friday, after being diagnosed with cancer in August.

DS has his first piano exam, grade 2, on Friday. He's worked hard for it, but I feel like I've taken my eye off the ball in the last few weeks and I'm struggling to find the energy to motivate him.

Good luck to everyone taking exams this week too. I hope the multitude of germs doing the rounds stay well away.x

horseymum · 26/11/2018 08:09

Thanks! They seem pretty calm which is good. Definitely ready and need to get on with it. It's so hard judging when the date isn't known till nearer the time. We also have a few exciting concerts coming up too which is nice and will take our minds off waiting for results. Dd1 is singing ( in a choir) in a concert I'm playing in which will be lovely. I love this time of year!

LooseAtTheSeams · 26/11/2018 08:03

Good luck all who are preparing for and taking exams!

Trumpetboysmum · 26/11/2018 07:06

Good luck to everyone doing exams in the next few weeks Smile This is the first time in ages that we haven’t had anyone doing practical exams here - just multiple concerts instead this term !!

MeltingWax · 26/11/2018 06:43

Lots of luck to all the exam sitters!

Crazygirlmama · 26/11/2018 00:30

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Wiifitmama · 25/11/2018 20:27

Good luck horsey mum! Ds has an exam this week too - grade 6 piano on Friday. He has two 1.5 hour lessons this week to make sure he is ready. I am nervous for him.

Trumpetboysmum · 25/11/2018 20:25

Good luck for this week horsey

horseymum · 25/11/2018 19:47

Night before exams here in the horsey house, think I'm more nervous than them! Then followed by audition the next day. Not much school this week ( or work for me!) Then we get to start on Christmas carols! I will be glad to say goodbye to these pieces now.