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

At the moment I don't generally see DD in the mornings as I work early but this is possibly about to change so I'm interested in before school practice. Do you have neighbours? We live in a terraced house and I'm not sure we could get away with it early morning.

Dd is now relatively good at practice. It's just having the time amongst other commitments.

Just trying to catch up. Seems I missed a lot of fun and games of some description. Also not a troll :) Merry Christmas everyone!

Having practice set as a daily routine really seems to work here, DD who is the most discipled does it every day after breakfast, sometimes fitting her second instrument in too. The other two huff and puff a bit but always do it. We have never tried bribery, other than with eldest discussing whether he really wants to continue if he doesn't practice. I think they get that their teacher will be disappointed if they haven't practised. Also, they see the benefit it had as things get easier! I guess children don't do many other activities where they are set homework eg it is perfectly possible to make adequate ( if slow) progress in swimming, basketball etc without daily practice. I think daily works well so practice is the rule not the exemption. I second guiding it to start with as otherwise they just play the start lots of times! I got dd's teacher to chat through a practice routine and write it down in her book, which really helps eg long notes, checking with tuner, octaves etc before getting into pieces.

catkind, I would like to think DS is 'wildly talented' but the truth is there are some practical factors for the reason why taking up violin wasn't such a pain to begin with. The school violin wasn't that demanding - they often did simple tunes but it was impressive enough for many of novice parents (me included) and kids were happy. Secondly, perhaps piano wasn't DS's natural instrument so compared with piano, he probably felt violin was less pain. Also, he gained lots of musical understanding from learning piano which probably contributed him grasping new ideas and concept quickly when he did violin. I am sure it's quite common for 2nd and 3rd studies.

It's nice to have a showing off moment with fun instrument, Loose.

DS2 has the fun instrument (electric guitar), the second instrument (cello) and the first instrument (piano). He's much further ahead on cello now, though, so it does seem to fit your patterns! He is currently showing off on his electric guitar rather than practising the other two.
I bribe mine with computer access in return for practise.

Taggie, I am in awe of your morning routine, you've done two practices and left the house before we're even conscious!

Neleus, yeah, both mine currently seem to prefer their second instruments. I think your DS is a bit unusual though (in a good way, as in wildly talented), most kids even on second instruments will find progress frustrating and not fun without a bit of practice.

We didn't consider multiple instruments at the beginning - just thought one would be enough. But violin was added as offered at school (paid but reasonable).

The structure of the school violin lessons allowed DS to get away without much practice, whereas he always had homework for piano, so naturally he practised piano more and not much for violin. This combination and expectation worked well as DS had lots of other interests and activities. He could learn two instruments without too much of juggling and still had enough time for sports, cubs, etc.

DS always preferred violin however, and now the role has turned and he does violin more and a lot less piano. Hence, piano is now his fun instrument instead. This kind of turn is quite common, I think (2nd and 3rd becoming 1st). We are glad we let him take up violin even though we knew he wouldn't (couldn't) practise daily. He wouldn't have found his instrument without this casual introduction!

Anyhow, having fun instruments along serious studies is quite nice. When DS begged me to let him take up violin, my initial thought was 'no way'! But as long as you keep the realistic expectation how much practice/progress/etc it's manageable and enjoyable?

We have never done reward/punishment charts for anything, as I got sucked in by some hippy parenting book when DS1 was a baby [probably making my life unnecessarily difficult!]

Instead, we stick to a strict routine of breakfast, 11+, piano, violin, school for DS2. This happens very early as he leaves for school at 7.15, and so we are all on autopilot tbh! It seems to work, possibly because there is nothing else DS2 or I would be doing instead apart from sleeping, obviously. DS2 and I drink quite a lot of tea to get through it! DS1 now sorts himself out practice-wise, although I usually text or ring him.

DecktheHalls I know a family who did (still do?) 10p bribery, their kids are brilliant musicians so worked for them I guess. We use screen time bribes for DS, which seems to be his main lever. Though currently "do you really want to take this exam" as he does want to but is borderline for being ready in time to get entered. DD could claim screen time too but generally doesn't cash in. Either she just likes playing or she's more biddable!

Hello, not posted for a while due to Christmas madness. DS wasn't playing in any concerts but his teacher did allow him to bring music into school and play for his classmates while they sang. First time he's accompanied singing and he really enjoyed it. He's been working a lot on pulse this term so it was great for him.

Can't: I second the Really Easy suggestion. DS has one of these books and loves it.

Deckthehalls: DS also plays those instruments but did piano before starting cello so he's much further ahead on that so practises piano much more. He's pretty good at practise and we do incentivise by not allowing other things until practise is done. When he started I just aimed for 5-10 mins per day and tried to keep it light & fun. He now plays piano for around 30 mins a day. However, he doesn't practise the cello everyday at the moment and when he does practise it's only 10mins. There just isn't time & I don't want him to feel pressured, I just want him to enjoy it. He's making progress so I wonder whether you could alternate instruments or make one the main one and do the other on alternate days? Having said that, others on this thread will have more experience & might advise differently and if the money is working then fair enough!

Merry Christmas everyone 🎄

We've had a financial reward system forever. As has DD1's BFF who's mum argues that if she's going to be a musician (very likely!) she should adopt the mantra of not playing without being paid for it 😂

In our house, the girls each have a laminated sheet of colourable quavers. They colour in notes after each practice (I give bonus notes for good attitude, not whinging, perseverance etc). When the sheet is full, they get £5 - it usually takes DD1 about 3 weeks to fill (3 instruments, generally good at practice) and DD2 about twice that!

We said, at that age, that her £3 a week pocket money was for practice, homework and keeping her room tidy. £1 for each and then would be docked if not done. We never had to dock! Extra money is offered for doing the laundry (everyone’s)!

At that age I staying in the room with her to guide her through practice and to ‘coach’ and ensure focused practice. I think it can be quite hard to be told to ‘practice’ if they don’t know what that actually is in reality and can’t see the results of it as it was just playing a piece through and not practice.

One if her teachers starts with the tricky sections and not the start of a new piece and that has been really good at getting the piece polished quicker.

Also try recording a piece at the start of the week and again after a weeks practice so she can hear the difference it makes.

So... DD8 is a beginner, started piano in April then surprisingly got picked for free cello lessons in school and has started that recently. Unfortunately although she says she loves music, there is no evidence of intrinsic desire to learn/practise yet and every day there is a big whinge-fest before she completes 10-15 mins of practise for each instrument (I did suggest she would not have time for cello but she really wanted to do it and it's free so I agreed to it if she would practise!). But she is tired with these activities along with many others...

So I've now offered her 10p per practise for no whinging! Is that reasonable? Or is that a road to disaster (I was hoping she would be happy enough to practise without incentive as she says she is keen but huffs and puffs so much for the daily 10 minutes per instrument). She was delighted to have the chance of adding to her £2 weekly pocket money though... so I'm hoping that will reduce the giving out.

Any advice on how to encourage an 8 year old to practice is most welcome (as are your views on materialistic rewards at this stage!)

Thank you

Cant the Really Easy series have various show and pop music books. Most of the musicals have an “easy piano” version of the score. The Graded Piano Player book one has g1&2 standard show pieces, both DD and I enjoyed that book early on.

Oh knowledgeabe people.

DD, 16, has expressed interest in learning the piano. She's not into classical music or jazz, is a dancer so listens to a lot of 'current / recent music', also likes musical theatre musicals.

Is there a 'learn to play hits from the musicals/pop songs' easy piano book out there? It would obviously need to be very easy BUT she can read music on a single stave (sings and learned clarinet and cello at different points) so doesn't need to be TOO basic?

Thank you CatKind. That is what I needed to hear. I don't trust my own judgement sometimes and I was/am a very different learner than my Ds. I hadn't thought about trying to play stuff by ear. Might try that.

Bear, 6-7 pieces sounds a bit much to try to keep on the boil. Could you pick a couple of favourites to polish nearer the time? If teacher gave you that much before a break I'd assume it's more "here's some stuff to keep you busy" rather than "I want to hear all this first lesson back". Better to properly work on improving dynamics etc in two or three pieces than play through 7. (But perhaps your DS practices a lot more than mine!) You sound like you know what you're doing re what needs working on, I think you should trust your own judgement really.

DD has had some long lesson breaks on violin. We do try to have something special ready to show teacher when she's back. Just not necessarily what she's expecting! I quite like being able to try something different. We have variously moved on through repertoire or completely sidestepped and done lots of sight reading or improvising or playing stuff she knows by ear. It's all music, it's all good!

Thank you for responding. Ds' flute teacher will hopefully be returning in February and will want to hear I think 6/7 specified pieces (mix of Grade 2/3 standard). We have gone over these, however I am wondering how to keep them reasonable and introduce new material or should I keep practicing just these ones. Dynamics are not great. (Grade 3 scales/arps are reasonable, need a bit of work in terms of consistent tempo, practiced on a near daily basis.)

Nice to see you again, BearAusten. I'm so glad you found my suggestions helpful. (I've name changed since then).
Regarding pieces, I generally get my pupils to have 2 or 3 pieces on the go at a time, usually one each from each of the ABRSM lists. They'll be in varying states of prep, so we might get going well.on one before adding in another, or we might look at the first half of each piece before making a start on the last parts. Always, always alongside any pieces will be scales - just a few of each type for whatever grade the pupil's at. ( even if an exam is not on the horizon).

Hi bear, in our house, the children seem to have 3/4 piano pieces on the go, but with oboe DD has at least a couple of studies, ànd maybe about 4/5 pieces, some of which are quick , ie only for a 2/3 weeks, then a couple of longer term pieces, as well as general orchestra pieces. She then does fun stuff on top. It seems that it takes much longer to learn piano pieces so they are on the go longer. Her teacher likes her to get through loads of pieces, which really helps her sight reading.

I rarely post, but enjoy occasionally dipping into these threads for the wealth of information from parents of musical children I find on here. It would be sad if people stopped posting because of one or two disruptive influences.
Back on a Christmas theme, no Christmas music concerts here for my two (grade 2 trumpet and clarinet) sadly. I would have loved to hear them perform beyond the living room! Just one very lack lustre carol concert at their primary school.

A long time lurker, but not one under a bridge (see history). I hope it is okay to intrude.

I have a Ds who plays flute (Grade 3 standard) and piano (just started). We are without a teacher at present in terms of flute. A couple of questions: How many pieces (for flute) would you keep going simultaneously? How many pieces do you do in ABRSM Grade books?

Can I just say thank you to Floottoot for the advice regarding a flute? I did like the Trevor James, but went for a 665. Moreover, somewhere a bit ago you recommended I think the Trevor James Omnibus - Practice Book. It is amazing. I hope you will take care of yourself over the Xmas period.

Hi raspberrry glad to hear your DS got a place. DD didn’t ( the perils of playing a popular instrument! ) but they said there will still be places on the inspire days so we need to apply each time one comes out. Hopefully she will get something... on the positive side she was invited to a local workshop to do some woodwind chamber music/trios so she has found something new to do. Hope everyone on on the thread has a lovely Christmas break🎄

I don't know people irl but I'm sure I could think up more exciting circumstances if I was a troll! I have been hanging round with this username for too long though, it's a good suggestion to change it up occasionally.

You too littleladsdad. See you in the new year !!