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Extra-curricular activities

Find advice on the best extra curricular activities in secondary schools and primary schools here.

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Original poster

January to March 2019 music thread (Title edited by MNHQ)

712 replies

CruCru · 14/01/2019 09:46

Hi all

Here is the new music thread for January - I hope no one minds me starting it.

I am mum to a son (7) who is learning the piano and trumpet and a daughter (5) who is learning the piano and violin. I am having piano lessons and played the trumpet as a child.

Some of the people on these threads (and their children) are fantastic musicians. Some are more like me. All are welcome.

Thank you to Wafflenose for all the time she has spent managing these threads.

OP posts:
NeleusTheStatue · 05/02/2019 16:36

Another good point. DS has less time in mornings...

catkind · 05/02/2019 15:16

I always did piano (less serious) in the mornings but I only had a half hour slot. Violin (more serious) in evenings when I could play for as long as I wanted. I guess I am more an evening person too though.

NeleusTheStatue · 05/02/2019 14:24

A very good point. Environment is a massive factor!

However, DS usually uses a practice room at school so loudness isn't a problem here. Morning practice for him means at around 8am and evening means at around 5pm or the very latest 6pm. He never practises after dinner.

Boyskeepswinging · 05/02/2019 14:00

I appreciate it depends on if you are morning or night person though...
Also depends on the instrument, there is no way I'd subject my lovely neighbours to DS's snare drum practice first thing. The older and stronger he gets the louder it gets, I swear it could wake the dead when he's got an ff passage! They are good enough not to complain about the racket in the evening so I am not pushing it!

NeleusTheStatue · 05/02/2019 13:36

I appreciate it depends on if you are morning or night person though...

NeleusTheStatue · 05/02/2019 13:33

Seeking for advice/suggestion from those multi-instrumentalists...

When you know clearly which is the most important instrument (1st study) and the rest are purely for supporting/fun purposes, and when you practise early morning and late evening, which instrument do you practise in mornings?

I always prefer studying or tackling something complicated/trickier in mornings and leaving to do something easier in evenings. However I've recently noticed DS often chooses to do his supporting (and a lot less important) studies in mornings and gets on with his first study practice in evenings. He says starting with something light in early morning helps his brain slowly wake up and he likes the gentle start of a day like that. But as a parent I know his concentration level can be crappy after a long day so I was surprised by his (I think) poor choice.

If you have time to practise in mornings AND evenings (I suppose it's not always possible though), what do you do?

RomanyRoots · 05/02/2019 13:03

mending fences Grin Grin oh, that's so funny.
I keep hearing the word Flute, have even read it on a report, and hoping it doesn't materialise.

LooseAtTheSeams · 05/02/2019 12:47

Mending Grin at tuba!

Original poster
CruCru · 05/02/2019 09:51

I’ve just googled Cajon. I never knew such a thing existed.

OP posts:
Mendingfences · 05/02/2019 09:44

Ds forgot to take his cajon to school today, åh well he'll have to play something else (fingers crossed no one lets him near a tuba, im not sure i could cope if he re-ignites that desire.....)

LooseAtTheSeams · 05/02/2019 08:25

"yes, of course I know rehearsal is every Tuesday, that's why I take my bass in," said the sarcastic teenager - who has left his bass guitar at home this morning...(I really hope there's still a spare one at school!)

QueenMabby · 04/02/2019 19:05

It’s all very relaxed CruCru! About 45 children playing various things - some excellent, some barely starting out. DD played pretty well. Slight oopsie in the piano duet but her partner is 4 grades ahead of her (same age!) so covered it well!

Original poster
CruCru · 04/02/2019 18:47

Crumbs that sounds like a lot for one person QueenMabby.

OP posts:
Mendingfences · 04/02/2019 18:04

Aarrggh 2 more concerts this week. Ds knew but hadnt passed the info on.....

QueenMabby · 04/02/2019 13:33

Wow! Well done Rara!
No festivals for us for a while but DD has an “informal” concert after school today at which she’s doing piano and cello solos, a piano duet and a couple of pieces with the cello quartet school have recently set up. She’s the youngest and most inexperienced (only been having individual lessons for a couple of terms) so it’ll be interesting to see how that goes. DS has volunteered to go and do his homework in the library so he doesn’t have to listen to any of it! Grin

Mitsouko67 · 04/02/2019 09:16

Gorgeous pic, congratulations!

NeleusTheStatue · 04/02/2019 00:59

Poor Rara... But what's a star! Parenting is a series of worries and proud moments, isn't it? She's done so well! Smile

catkind · 03/02/2019 20:19

Oh no, poor rara. What a haul though, you must be super proud of your team!

LooseAtTheSeams · 03/02/2019 17:18

Poor Rara - hope she's able to play her cello again soon.
DS2 seems to have enjoyed his all-day rehearsal today. I left DH in charge of packed lunch as I was working this morning - he certainly was more generous with the extra snacks than I might have been but why not, eh?!

Wafflenose · 03/02/2019 17:13

She has torn the ligaments in her thumb and hasn't been able to play the cello at all. Recorders are fine, clarinet is sore, and she keeps nicking my saxophones.

NeleusTheStatue · 03/02/2019 14:54

Only Waffle can confirm who has the middle aged eyes, Boys. Grin

Boyskeepswinging · 03/02/2019 14:22

Oh I've looked again and I think you're right! Blimey, yes, even better done if wearing a splint!
(Apologies for middle aged eyes)

Boyskeepswinging · 03/02/2019 14:21

Looks like the ribbons from the medals are wrapped around her wrist. I thought she was wearing a splint at first, too, then did a double take Grin

NeleusTheStatue · 03/02/2019 14:11

Lovely photos! What's happened to her wrist/finger? Did she won all the medals and cups with an injured wrist/finger? If so, double wow.

Lotsofmilkonesugar · 03/02/2019 13:59

Well done Rara, lovely photos 🌟