Autumn 2020 music thread

Did anyone see the instrumental masks taking the mickey?
They had a hole cut out for wind instruments.

Well, hoping that live auditions will take place and visits to the colleges. I know they can do them online but when they are used to auditioning in person it's not the same.

So far (unofficial) unconditional from all the ones she wants, except Berklee and still working out how on earth she'd fund it, before she applies.

The time goes so quickly, I remember being on here when dd was 8 and still playing violin, she got to grade 5 and realised it wasn't for her, and it's been saxes and vocal ever since.

I recognise some names still on here, seems years since we all started.

I have noticed a lot of questions over the last couple of months about the new performance grades. My daughter and I are new to music and have been learning violin together for the last few months (and now piano). As I don't have a background in music, I looked on Youtube to get an idea of whether we are making decent progress but most progress channels are for total prodigies who are practising many hours a day and videos only show completed pieces as opposed to showing a more realistic 'work in progress'. So we started our own channel. We have also been showing our performance grade results with full mark breakdowns - we can't show the actual recordings as it is not allowed but we show rough recordings which is usually a little worse because we're obviously not trying hard - it will however give people taking performance grades at the lower level who have never taken grades before a rough idea of level and what progress looks like for normal amounts of practice on cheap instruments. We have completed grades 1 and 2 in seven months. The link is here:-

www.youtube.com/channel/UCC8zsmOrNdYIz52TYLIQBXw

Exam results playlist:

DD is supposed to be doing her grade 6 flute performance exam this month.

Has anybody else tried to do home video? I am a bit worried about the sound quality on an elderly phone.

We think we might have to go down the "unaccompanied" route.

Any hints and tips gratefully received and keeping my fingers crossed that her (virtually empty) school would let her go in to film there with her teacher.

Does anyone know anything about either ACM (ds attended an online open evening last night) or ICMP.

They certainly seem to talk the talk. Do they walk the walk?

Yes, we had decided two days ago that DD would do her G6 piano as the performance one, had already started a fourth piece in case of this scenario, now the choice is made. She still can't believe there will be no aural tests! They would be really hard to prepare for over zoom anyway so glad about that. Much tougher if grade 8 though, to postpone or magic up another piece.

Yep - all my faffing about scales for nothing! Well not really - very helpful in practice. Really feel for your DS Raspberry

My Y13 DS2 was intending to do Grade 8 trombone this session. He's had a rough couple of days with no A levels and now this. Although I guess no A levels means he will be less busy at the end of June ....

Anyone else just had an update from ABRSM? Practical exams cancelled for session 1.

@horseymum , thanks it looks great.

For anyone looking for a virtual orchestra for children, this organisation has been brilliant, it's free with lots of fun music.
www.showcasemusicschool.com/virtualorchestra

So glad that this thread exists. I am wondering if anyone know of any online brass ensembles for kids. My DD is missing being part of an orchestra.

Thank you so much mini! Exactly what we needed - now to tempt the child to practice to see if she can actually remember said finger placings! Huge thanks again x

@Pes0penguin - I hope these might help - some fingerings on them in pencil? They mean nothing to me and are from a while ago but they might help you?

I'll have a look at what's written in DD2s book - I think it runs grade 1 to 5 so should still have the fingerings in it. Unless there's someone who is actually musical here who can help more quickly.

Hello all! I’ve been reading back through the thread and so great to see so many accomplishments despite the current circumstances!
DD is just starting to prep for grade 2 cello in March so I’ve reinstated the ‘scales and arpeggios lucky dip’ (shes 7 so seems to make memorising them marginally more enjoyable!) however shes had a complete crisis when it comes to the shifts in them - I think as a result of the teacher not being able to write in her book anymore and of a lack of face to face lessons.
Would anyone be able to help me out with what numbers to write above the notes? She seems to think if she has this she’ll understand but I don’t read music myself and can’t find what she wants anywhere!

We’re looking for:
A major scale
Bb major scale
G major scale
A major arpeggio
Bb major arpeggio

All in the ABRSM Grade 2 cello scale book.

Thanks in advance

Great news, minisnowballs, what a super slightly early Christmas present Well done to your DD!

Let’s hope by the time next grade exams come around, we’re not having to factor in self-isolation, lockdowns, fear of stricken accompanists etc.

No grade is easy, snowpan - my dad has been taking them as an adult and they are blooming hard - I reckon you need nerves of steel. Hope it went well (assuming it was this session).

Dd got her results back today - a decent merit for grade 6 flute (125). In the circumstances she's pretty pleased with that - I think in a normal year (without grade 5 being cancelled in march and not having had face to face lessons) she might have done better, but I'm delighted it's done and so is she!

Juggling Good to hear your DC is enjoying it. Mine is too, but her course is totally on line till autumn 2021.

For anyone thinking of the US Conservatories, feel free to ask me about the process, since that's where DD went - though she is a Composer not a Performer. In the first term we've found that there are some huge adjustments - their technical language is different from everywhere else in the world, and every assignment counts towards your grade BUT you can get them pre-reviewed by the tutor/TA to make sure you are on the right lines. It's weird.

Mendingfences, the note-fart wilderness is about right. Your tips for thinking about the sound are really helpful I’ll pass them on to DP, we’ll work on that

(DP played cornet in his teens so he’s taken on helping DS with trombone practice; I owned a recorder in primary school so I got DD and her flute I would’ve said I got the better deal, until DD got some new pieces a couple of weeks back. These notes with an abundance of ledger lines... my poor ears!)

snowpan, everyone starts somewhere and I think it’s probably a good idea to take an ‘easier’ grade exam early on, if you plan on doing exams at all. They’re quite a unique experience so it’s good to have ‘been there and done that’ (and, hopefully, been successful) when the stakes are lower, iyswim.