Christmas and January Music Thread *Thread title edited by MNHQ*

Well done to minihidden! Lovely story. So sorry to hear how you are feeling piccolo and good for you taking some time for yourself. With my NHS hat on I would also say to get signed off work for a few days if you need to. 💐

Thanks Piccolo. Ds was entered by his piano teacher who gets notification and texts me usually so hopefully we will know before Christmas.

That's so true, druid. My nerves are on a hair-trigger at the moment.

Hidden, that is so lovely to read. Well done to your DD, and onwards and upwards!

Wiifit, we're waiting for exam results from the 30th November. From what I can tell from the ABRSM website, they could arrive any day until the 21st (he was entered by the school, so won't get them until January if they haven't arrived by the 19th, when he breaks up).

That’s great news, Hidden!

Well done Hidden!

Anyone know how long it takes for results for ABRSM Grade 6? I am wondering if they will come this side of Christmas.

Thank you for suggesting breathing exercises, druid. I've found myself shallow breathing and feeling breathless recently, which must be anxiety (You'd think, as a flautist, I'd have the breathing thing sussed, but it's the first to go when I'm under pressure).
I've just got back from having a manicure and pedicure, and the lovely salon owner have me a gift of a crystal angel necklace.

Lovely news hidden

Lovely outcome Hidden, well done to your DD!

I have done a bit of lurking on here but have never posted, but I thought you guys might be okay with me posting my PMM. My DD9 has been playing piano for 5 years. I am not musical, but she started Suzuki piano when she was 4 because I was worried she might be dyslexic (she isn't). She made slow progress, but she was really enjoying it for 3 years. She did her Suzuki book 1 party 18 months ago. By that point she was a little frustrated at the slow pace (her teacher is a bit of a perfectionist and technique is VERY important to her). But after doing that, progress the Suzuki route was painfully slow. Lots of arguments about practice, and by April last year we had taken 6 months to do 2 pieces in Suzuki book 2, and my DD was convinced she was terrible at piano. Had a big talk with the piano teacher and we decided that grade exams would be good for my DD. I also decided that my DD needed to learn to read music because she needed to be able to progress independently of her teacher, given I couldn't help her move forward in pieces. We were supposed to start Grade 1, but she really ended up spending time reading music, doing scales, and still made very slow progress on actually learning pieces. DD was still really struggling with motivation and confidence. We got to September and DD had started one piece of the three. She pulled that together quickly, and at the end of September she could play one piece well and had started piece 2. The teacher was away then for 5 weeks, and DD pulled piece 2 together. Next lesson in the beginning of November, DD had now 2 of 3 pieces at pass level. Her exam was 4 weeks away and she started piece 3. With the help of some extra lessons from her teacher, and so much hard work, she did her exam. It went better than the mock exam she did with her teacher (which she passed). And after she has been teaching herself Christmas carols, playing her grade 1 pieces for fun, and she has played through choice every day. She has started teaching herself the grade 2 pieces (telling me she REALLY likes one), but she has been a bit worried about starting the grade 2 pieces in case she failed grade 1. We found out yesterday she passed with a merit. I can't tell you how proud she is of herself and how proud I am of her. I am hoping that she will be able to do grade 2 in the summer

Thanks, Taggie. It's DD's special night tomorrow (actually, she's in the afternoon service as well), so DS will be watching her for a change (they're go to different schools, but both have their carol services in the cathedral and there's a fair amount of rivalry between the schools, amusingly).I
I've still got to make a trip to the string shop to collect DS's cello and return the borrowed one before Friday, but I've prioritised my nails tomorrow, so that will wait until Thursday.

oh - I'm so pleased to read that Piccolo. I hope you find watching your lovely DS (and DD?) at the cathedral concert some comfort. He has been doing so well!

Thank you all so much for your words of kindness and support. I feel better just from off-loading what I've been feeling.
Taking your advice, I've just booked some me time tomorrow, to have my nails done, before the cathedral concert in the evening. At least it will keep me from checking my emails every 5 minutes for results.

Thank you all for being so understanding.

Piccollo, I am really sorry to hear how hard things are. I echo everyone else. You have to drop anything non-essential and tell yourself it is ok to be less than perfect. Do the minimum and be kind to yourself.

Thinking of you piccolo

I got through a similar period by being kind to myself and taking away as much pressure as possible. For me this was early nights wherever possible, lots of easy to prepare meals and minimum housework. And reminding yourself that this too will pass

You have so much to cope with emotionally at the moment piccolo - . It's no wonder you are feeling under strain.

I really hope that Wednesday goes as well as it possibly can. That must be weighing on your mind above all else. I would hope you will feel more at ease after Wednesday and you can look forward to concerting on the weekend. As others have said, the auditions and exams are done. I know the waiting for results takes up more headspace but there's nothing you can actually physically do about those so try not to give them more headspace than they need.

Aw piccolo, sounds very tough. I second cutting down to what needs to be done and not sparing energy for the relatively unimportant.

I wonder if this is your friend's DD too? Have no idea if shows like strictly book the same band week on week. Their style sounds very similar, amd even more violin in this one.
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p06v1n77

Thinking of you piccolo
I cant really add to the wise words above, but in terms of grades and nco they are already 'done', and what will be will be so id suggest trying to put them out of your mind (although i appreciate thats easier said than done)

I hope you have practical support with things like the driving on wednesday, and hope you are able to take advantage of things like takeaways or ready meals to lighten the household load.

It all sounds horribly stressful piccolo. I also really hope the impending news on your dog is better than you expected, as the non-verbal members of our households often are the most intuitive and supportive to us during dark periods.

Wise words from Taggie. Do what has the the least negative consequences (on you) later down the line, even if they feel like the end of the world now. As parents we support pretty much 24/7. A few days out won't make that much difference long term.

piccolo. I’m so sorry to read this. I’m not at all surprised you are struggling. You have done amazingly well to hold it together until now, but what you are facing at the moment would be too much for anyone. And yet, when you are really stressed, taking action can seem overwhelming.. yet another thing...

So you may not be able to consider my suggestion, which is to take time off as sick leave, at least until after the funeral. And to miss any concerts you are too tired for, just as if you were physically ill. There will be many many other concerts and services in the future, and your DCs will understand. Your current situation is just as disabling as any winter virus imho.

Whatever you decide, your internet friends on this thread will be with you in spirit

That sounds incredibly hard Alsoplayspiccolo.

I've hesitated to post this, but you are all so supportive, not just about music stuff, I feel I can.

I'm really struggling with life at the moment. This week in particular is going to be a rollercoaster of highs and lows, and my emotions are all over the place.
Both DCs have special performances - DD has her first nine lessons and carols service as a member of the school senior choir in the cathedral tomorrow. She's been looking forward to it since last Christmas, when she was too young to audition ( you have to be year 10). DS has his first concert with the county youth orchestra on Sunday. A few weeks ago, he had to audition for position and was delighted to he given 3rd desk ( I'm not back desk, mum!), even though he's the youngest in the whole orchestra.
So, lovely things to look forward to and celebrate.
But it's my sister's funeral on Wednesday, which is obviously overshadowing everything. We are having to do a round trip of 320 miles in a day and just the thought of the whole thing makes me feel sick and anxious. I feel like I might fall apart.

In addition, we are about to find out whether our much adored dog has terminal cancer. He's only young and has been my shadow since we got him at 8 weeks old.

In amongst all of the above will be NCO results and piano exam results (pretty sure NCO will be a firm no ). DD has ADHD, combined with 15 year old hormones, which means life with her is pretty stressful and exhausting at the moment.

I honestly don't know what to do with myself. I need to keep everything together for the next 10 days or so, until term finishes at least, but I'm not sure I can.