Spring 21 virtual music thread

We have online theory G5 next week but at school thankfully. Is your DD planning to continue with theory?

Thanks horseymum. She said it went well. It only took her 30 minutes! 😳 She then spent another 20 mins going back through and checking but then finished it and shut down. 🤞🏻🤞🏻
So sad that there’s no ensemble music for your DDs.
My dd does all her music at school and as her year is quite musical they have been doing a year group orchestra which has been lovely. They’ve also started to mix the year group bubbles a bit so this week the chapel choir resumed rehearsals which she was so excited to do.
They are also currently doing recordings for the main end of year concert. It’s usually just the older pupils (dd is in year 7) but she’s very excited that she has been asked to perform a piano duet. She and her duet partner have been playing together since year 4 so they play quite well together. They also have a year group informal concert next week and she’s playing piano and cello in that. The only shame is that there can be no parents so I’ll have to hope they share a video of it. I’ve never not been at a concert she’s played in.
Am hopeful for September though...

Hope the theory exam went well. We are heading towards end of term with no live music to celebrate, so sad. The girls' are doing some chamber music with their teacher which is lovely to hear. Can't wait for ensembles to start next year. ( Although I will probably complain about running them around again!)

Thanks. Does it work like a normal exam whereby she can go back and check her answers before she submits them or does it not work like that? Also does she need to sit there til the timer runs out or can we submit her answers when she’s finished (she’s a fast worker!). Thanks.

Hi Queen Mabby, Just make sure you remember all the steps you need to take (e.g. showing ID, ripping up paper etc) I found it useful to write them down as we are hopeless.

If it says 'insufficient bandwidth' it is more likely to be a problem their end than yours. Otherwise, just good luck to her!

DD is going to take the online g5 theory tomorrow. I’m just sorting out downloading the software and watching the info videos. Any more practical tips from those whose dcs have taken it already? Thanks.

Thanks for the tips muggle interview is done and dd2 is happy so thats a success whatever the outcome 😁

A very mild latte and a few biscuits perks him up for a good half-hour.

Performance enhancing drugs (Not judging, this is how I get through every day )

@Mendingfences my DS responds well to a bit of "preparation" for zoom interviews i.e. a fun chat about something unrelated and a good sugary snack. A very mild latte and a few biscuits perks him up for a good half-hour. He's not keen on zoom in general or on talking to people he doesn't know but a bit of a laugh and some sugar beforehand helps.

Aarrgghh dd2 has an audition /interview for a junior music program on zoom this afternoon. The videos of her playing were sent off no problem, first take all good ..... but the idea of the zoom interview is freaking her out big time, she's not massivly enthusiastic about talking to people she doesnt know anyway and zoom really doesnt help....

@Pes0penguin well done to your daughter!

Well done Pes0's DD! Great achievement. Hope she's feeling really proud of herself.

Thanks QueenMabby & thirdfiddle for the exam tips. We've done some videos for auditions and DS finds it hard work so the advice to limit takes sounds very wise. He's not entered yet but looks likely that he'll be doing it at the beginning of July or a bit before if he's ready.

I'll be checking out the theory apps too, thank you everyone.

Well done for your dd minisnowballs. I’ll pass on to my dd about the keyboard and the circle of fifths and hope that it makes sense to her! She has the Muso app so I’ll encourage her to do a bit every day.

@queenMabby, the ABRSM app on theory (theoryworks) is very good, I think. I had one DD take it in the first batch of G5s last summer, and the app was the most useful resource.

Her older sister is now using it and it is pretty good at taking you through a lot of the syllabus. Quizlet for terms and signs also good (lots of people have already collated them)

We also made dd2 do a piano keyboard and a circle of fifths before she did ANYTHING else on the day. Despite being somewhat unprepared and referring to a note as 'h' the day before (!!!) and the tech being an absolute disaster she got a merit (just off a distinction) and since we'd told her she only had to pass we were well delighted with this.

Some good ideas thank you. Will check out the Muso app for sure and suggest flash cards to her.

There's an app called muso which is quite handy for practising theory. My DD also made flash cards of the terms. Good luck!

Well done Pes0’s Dd!
My dd currently struggling to revise for g5 theory. She needs to and I think this is the problem. Academically she’s very bright so hasn’t ever had to properly revise for much before. Can anyone suggest any good methods/resources?
Her piano teacher’s got her a book with practice papers in for the new specification but I think she could do with something else too. Normally at school they would run some theory sessions but can’t at the moment due to year group bubbling. Any help much appreciated.

Fantastic news, Pes0, congrats to your DD!

I’m sure this positive experience (with your thoughtful support), and the great result, will be a real confidence builder for any future exams, and generally.

Thanks all - results came back super fast (about a week after the exam) and she got a high merit - DD was over the moon and I got to do some proud boasting
Also think the relief of not having to do the same pieces for a while has kicked DD’s enjoyment up again so she’s enjoying rediscovering old pieces/sight reading new ones.
good luck to everyone doing the recordings - we (I!) purposefully chose not to do a performance exam as I honestly can’t handle the stress/moaning! I’m not cut out to be a producer!
L

Kitty my dd is a pianist and cellist too! She did the G5 performance exam online last October. It was fairly painless. If the exam’s still online then abrsm has a couple of YouTube videos with tips and advice on.

I would also suggest a chat with the teacher on the playing order to make sure the programme is well rounded as they get marks for that.
We found that they were pretty critical. DD’s teacher did the recording of her so heard her programme. She said that the examiner was really picky! She did get a distinction but only just where as she’s been comfortably in for her previous exams.
Best of luck to your ds. We’re heading for g5 theory this month/start of June and then maybe g4 performance exam for the cello and/or g2 singing before the end of the school year.

Well done to your DD Pes0, no mean feat if she's never performed in front of others before. I always think just doing an exam is a massive achievement regardless of the result.

I haven't posted in a long time. DS plays piano and cello and we've just switched to new teachers for both instruments for various reasons. DS is really happy with the changes and even happier that he's starting to do some real life ensembles and loving it.

DS will be doing the online performance exam for piano this term (G5 ABRSM). There are some tips earlier down this thread that I'll look at but any other pearls of wisdom gratefully received 😊.

That sounds like a job well done by both of you, Pes0 The result comes back quickly with the new electronic system - looking forward to an update, fingers crossed for your DD in the meantime.

Just wanted to say a slightly belated thank you for the exam tips. DD had her exam last week and (I think) enjoyed the experience although she was extremely nervous!
The debrief fry’s peppermint cream went down a treat 😁
There was a lovely supportive atmosphere in the waiting area with everyone doing a mini-clap of each other’s warm up pieces - as one of the teachers said, there’s been no performance for so long, everyone was just pleased to be allowed out!
Have realised it’s actually quite odd that DD (who started playing last Sep (2019)) has actually never played to anyone but her teacher before - and even the majority of that was on a laptop! Strange times indeed...!