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

Well done to Rara waffle !

I spend my whole life negotiating on behalf of ds !! Everything always clashes with something - but we get there !

A first last night! I supervised na piobairi uileann practice. I love music but haven't a clue. I listened anyway and taught DS 2 how to introduce a tune.With forthcoming audition in mind.

Slightly complicated situation with DS1 who is in one orchestra but has now got involved with another. New orchestra has a practice this weekend and negotiations are ongoing.

Thanks CruCru for asking MNHQ.

Hi Waffle! So you have 5 medals and 4 cups added to your home? Well done, Rara!

Currently DS has multiple teachers due to his main teacher being away. Rumour has it that his teacher gypsy life will continue till April/May. This week he had a lesson with a college student. Nothing wrong with a college student teaching, but we still pay for the same rate as the main teacher with a lot more experience, so I am a bit...

Thanks, CruCru.

I am planning to be back for April, but did spy some slightly dodgy activity on a couple of music related threads recently (again!) so not entirely happy about that. And I'm not accusing any of you lovely lot!!

Rara cleaned up at the festival this week - 5 individual medals and 2 individual cups, and 2 shared cups. Will find a photo at some point.

Thanks crucru, whichever you prefer.

We're at a slightly down point, exam music is learned but they're being lazy and hacking through with too many mistakes, even DD who is usually a good practiser. I am declaring next week stop as soon as something goes wrong week.

What wrong with my typing really... quest/quest = QUIET...

We're only on 178 messages so no problem with making this "and February". Unless we have a super busy night tonight!

CruCru, thank you for thinking of the next thread. We could continue as Jan & Feb thread so that it's easier to follow what has been discussed previously. Or we could start a new one in the hope of attracting more people to join in? This thread has been quest (but January is quest generally?)...

Pacato ear plugs are issued to kids at dd school. They have just been given new ones for upcoming concerts.
If you don't invest in these make sure what you buy will actually protect their ears rather than just mute a bit of sound.
I'm not sure if these are exactly the same but know they are called Pacato as read the email. www.amazon.co.uk/Planet-Waves-PWPEP1-Pacato-Earplugs/dp/B007X3DEM8?tag=mumsnetforum-21

Yay, great to hear Cru. It's good to know the nest of vipers still has pockets of useful mutual support

Thanks for comments on ear plugs! We will investigate further!

Can I just say this...? I really really REALLY like oboe's sound. Unfortunately no woodwind in our household though (apart from odd recorder).

Horsey it sounds like she'll get a lot out of it - just be prepared for some odd sounds coming from your piano. After the disco inferno last night we've got Superstition tonight

Thanks for that boys, it's reassuring to hear he enjoyed class music still, I think her improvisation etc needs to improve so maybe the more relaxed atmosphere will help that. She also hasn't done composition before so will enjoy that.

Hi Horsey I think my DS being a relatively advanced musician in his very mixed ability classes actually did him a lot of good. He took on a tutoring role in the class (very much encouraged by the teacher) and helped the less able children eg those that couldn't read music. This really boosted his confidence and his standing in the class and rather than being the weirdo that does music at weekends rather than sport suddenly he was the kid showing them how to make cool sounds on the keyboards. He really enjoyed the joint composition projects as others brought in completely different ideas. So to some extent it stretched him as he had to find ways to incorporate lots of conflicting ideas and abilities into one composition. But then I think plinking away on a keyboard is really important, anyway, and all children should be allowed time to noodle on their instruments. My DS was trying to recreate Giorgio Moroder on the piano last night which did make me

Cru, when my DD wanted to learn something as well as piano, we asked around for a teacher who could let her try flute oboe clarinet and bassoon, as she knew it was an orchestral wind instrument she wanted to do. We booked an hour and he played some things on each, let her try each , even did a mini lesson and then let her hear them again and try the ones she liked best again, it was very relaxed and fun. She was very definite by the end that it was oboe ( maybe she already knew in her head, who knows!) and has not wavered at all in her dedication. He is know her teacher and is fab.

Can I ask if your children get stretched at all in class music at a normal high school. Eg if you were well advanced in maths you would be in a higher set or given harder work and may even take a qualification earlier. Just wonder if class music is just going to be 'fun' music making ( which has its place too obviously) . I did see a tweet from the school music department and it was a multiple choice quiz asking which of these symbols was a crotchet!! I thought DD might just be better practising but then she would miss out on being with friends but then is it beneficial to be plinking away on a keyboard?

I've got a DD at Junior Trinity and as far as I'm aware, the expectation is very much for the JD teacher to be the only one for the first study. There are students there who receive quite a bit of input from other teachers during the week but in ensembles, not a 1:1 scenario.

In terms of ear plugs, DD has ACS Pacato 16. They're not the custom made ones but are a good size and are the same as supplied to the younger Chethams students.

PS in case anyone else is interested. Both RCM and J Guildhall state 8-18 years..