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Extra-curricular activities

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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:
littleladsdad · 21/03/2019 21:17

Fingers crossed for you 4string, I know exactly how you're feeling.

4strings · 20/03/2019 11:47

Oh I hope this is sorted one way or the other by then! She'll be going for Y7 and is refusing to engage in any conversations about the school she's been allocated.

NeleusTheStatue · 20/03/2019 11:44

Well done to your DD 4string! Keep fingers crossed!

I sympathise with you. Our uncertainty of which school DS would be going lasted well into August. Can you imagine how daunted I was at the end of the journey? I finally felt 'that's it' when DS physically started the new school in September...

4strings · 20/03/2019 11:27

So I'm daring to dream today.

DD had an audition for a specialist music school yesterday, and will be invited to the next stage audition. She's so close. Just hope it's soon because I'm not sure I can take the uncertainty for much longer (never mind dd, who seems made of far stronger stuff than her mother)

zeemama · 20/03/2019 10:21

Hi if anyone has any experience with JG or Primary academy at RAM auditions it would be great to hear from you. Feel free to dm if you’d rather. At RAM they only have 2(!) piano places apparently. I feel for that panel..

zeemama · 20/03/2019 09:30

@bunny that’s great!! It is a good exercise for a number of reasons :-)
@wiifit I sent you a dm.. x

bunnymum9 · 19/03/2019 22:17

zeemama, we have done the game! DD loved it. As I also jumped around with her for about 5 minutes, my heart rate also went up and I was really dead in the end though! She wants to do that again tomorrow (with me also jumping! 😂).

She played the sad slow piece right after the game, and it was much faster than usual. (We timed) So we now know she needs to be really careful at audition when she is nervous and her heart rate is up. It was not only fun but also definitely helpful!

So I will jump and dance with her again tomorrow!

muggleaunt · 19/03/2019 19:59

Well done to minisnowballs DD2. Glad it went well. The movie themes cello book is great, it's the book DS has most enjoyed.

Wiifitmama · 19/03/2019 15:34

My melodeon player also plays classical piano but as his second instrument. Lots of fantastic folk opportunities in London for kids. I should know with 3 of them! PM me and I am happy to share details if you are interested.

zeemama · 19/03/2019 15:23

@witfit how cool! Yes he plays folky songs like Godfather, Jewish folk songs and Valse d’Amelie etc. Only started last year but nice fun change. His main obsession is classical piano though.

NeleusTheStatue · 19/03/2019 14:46

When DS auditioned he was 9 so naturally I knew younger ones than older ones there. I am not sure if they tend to be nicer to younger ones (but I assume they are!) but anyway all the DCs I know who auditioned said it was positive experience. Smile

Well done to minisnowballs's DD2!

Wiifitmama · 19/03/2019 14:29

@zeemama I just spotted you 10 year old plays accordion! I have a melodeon playing son. (I actually have 3 folk playing sons!). Very unusual to meet others. Does your son play folk music at all?

zeemama · 19/03/2019 13:50

Thank you @neleus. Wish we could share short videos here :) I’m way more nervous than him I think. He’s only 10 so plenty of time but plays hours daily.

NeleusTheStatue · 19/03/2019 13:40

I think that's a good choice! Good luck!

zeemama · 19/03/2019 13:23

@neleus no the Henle Version. Teacher not into exams or Abrsm 🤷‍♀️

NeleusTheStatue · 19/03/2019 13:11

Ah, DS played it for grade 7. Such a beautiful piece. Is he using the ABRSM version? Apparently it's a bit different from the more known version especially the trills. DS's teacher hated it and said DS should learn 'the right version' after the exam. Grin

zeemama · 19/03/2019 12:24

@neleus, no 20 C sharp minor one (very overplayed I know! Hope that won’t ruin his chance but he loves it so much).. . He also has learned couple of mazurkas, waltz and another nocturne... big Chopin fans here!

zeemama · 19/03/2019 11:21

Thanks, bunnymum9, have fun! It’s a good shake out during practice anyway! :D

bunnymum9 · 19/03/2019 10:34

Neleus, that's really helpful advice re nervousness (also helps me a lot!!).

zeemama, I love

We also play games where ds jumps in place for 5 min to get his heart rate up and then Immediately plays his sad and slow Chopin nocturne.

I will try this with DD tonight! (One of her audition pieces is very sad and slow) Good luck to your DS, too! Smile

NeleusTheStatue · 19/03/2019 10:09

Doubleup, I know it's easy to say isn't it? But you just have to keep telling her nervousness isn't all negative.

We also play games where ds jumps in place for 5 min to get his heart rate up and then Immediately plays his sad and slow Chopin nocturne..
That's such a hardcore, zeemama! 😂

Which nocturn is he playing? DS played Chopin's polonaise for jd auditions and is currently playing a nocturn. Love Chopin.

minisnowballs · 19/03/2019 10:04

Thanks to all who gave advice on new cello bow/fierce accompanist for dd2. Exam was last Friday- she says she thinks it went ok. Dh (who took her) said accompanist was kind and encouraging this time.
Now we wait- but she is happy. Thanks also to whoever recommended the cello movie themes- she sightread her way through a few of them this morning so I guess they aren’t completely impossible- and she was very enthused by having the tune for a change (her friend is a violinist in the same ensemble and apparently always gets the best parts)

zeemama · 19/03/2019 09:55

@neleus yes, very good advice re nervousness. We also play games where ds jumps in place for 5 min to get his heart rate up and then Immediately plays his sad and slow Chopin nocturne.. 🤪🤣

zeemama · 19/03/2019 09:53

@bunnymum9 thanks for asking these not silly! questions. My son (10) will be auditioning at a couple of JDs in London next month, also only plays one instrument, piano, (well the other doesn’t ‘count or matter at JD as it’s accordion 🤣) and was just going to dress smart casual and might have 2 rounds as well. Totally new waters for us too. Best of luck to your dc!!

Doubleup · 19/03/2019 09:47

Wise words Nelius - must show that to DD2 so that she can use her nervousness in a positive way.

NeleusTheStatue · 19/03/2019 08:37

Sounds like we have a few auditionees on this thread.

Not sure if it helps but just to share what I learnt... If you are worried about getting nervous, or indeed you get nervous on the day, you can remind yourself that feeling nervous isn't a bad thing but just a natural thing to happen so no panic needed. Feeling nervous is not something you must eliminate nor fight against as it'll more likely be there almost always when you challenge something important to you. The best way to deal with it is learn your own reaction to it (as each has different reaction), anticipate it's coming, accept it, and go with it. You have to build a good relationship with it!

Good luck to all brave soldiers! Smile