Autumn 21 music thread

Another CYM flute player. Welcome.. (my 12 year old DD learns there too).

I used to have fond thoughts that my two might do violin and flute duets for Christmas. They just fight so we've given up!

In irritating news the flute needs a complete overhaul (£200) but the flute man says it won't last much past grade 7, which DD2 takes in December. Arghh! Any suggestions as to what she needs next music people - she currently has a decentish Yamaha that doesn't have open holes? We have some inheritance for her that could go towards a new instrument but I was hoping to hold out for post grade 8.

'O holy night is quite challenging', mine have done it as a duet. Some other songs like 'all I want for Christmas is hippo' are fun and maybe a bit harder than away in a manger. Musescore will have loads of arrangements . Imslp for out of copyright versions of pieces.

For anyone looking for Christmas piano for kids around grade 2-3 ( I always think its best to go for Christmas music that's a bit easier than they normally play so you don't have to start learning it at the beginning of November!) then the ABRSM 'Upgrade Christmas' is really good - it has nice arrangements, a mix of carols and Christmas music including a really nice arrangement of 'walking in the air'.

I'd also be interested in any nice Violin Christmas music - around grade 3ish (some shifting to 3rd is ok). Grateful for any recommendations

I've been lurking on here for a while and have finally got round to re setting my password!

I have a DS who is 10 who plays piano and flute. He's just started at CYM this year and is approx grade 5 on flute (no formal grades yet as lockdown kept scuppering plans). He also plays piano at around grade 5 level and was going to sit this time, but has secondary school stuff so we've put it off until spring.

I have a DD who is 8 who is also grade 5 piano - doing exam this time. She took up violin in lockdown and did really well - has had a teacher in real life for about 3 months now and is approx gr 3 or 4 standard - again no grades.

Know its early, but does anyone have any recommendations for nice Christmas music for grade 5/6 ish? The ones we have already have been rejected for this year as 'a bit easy'.

Definitely play with others. Mine started horn at 7 and is still at it 10 years on. He joined various local windbands and orchestras then music centre, county ensembles and nco. If you have a local music centre that’s a perfect starting point.

They both started on plastic cornets and then last week they got to choose their own real brass instruments. She chose trombone and my son chose a proper cornet. It's a brilliant local scheme and costs me just £8 per month for the both of them! (Compared to £36 per week for their piano!)

Welcome pregnantabroad - how nice to have the piano in the kitchen! Both my DDs find that playing with others is the key to making it fun, I think. Though it hasn't felt like much fun this week - the s*dding bassoon needs repairing again, and I've had to hook a bust spring back together on the flute. Sometimes I really do wonder whether we'll look back and wonder why so much time was devoted to all this. I think if I added it up I'd be scared!

Really interesting thread to read. My DS1 aged 9 is 6 months into the piano and new to Cornet while my DD1 is 7 and same on piano but she is learning trombone. I'd like them to have more fun than me. I did grade 5 piano aged 12 then refused to do any more grades and gave up at 14. Hoping that being in a brass band will give that fun element. Also our piano is in the kitchen which makes them want to practice -They both seem pretty keen on their instruments. When I was younger I was sent off to the boring, unused dining room to practice on my own. Any thoughts on how to keep enthusiasm up are welcome!

Bit late to the question, but my DD used a black character skirt from ballet (with coloured ribbons removed) for concert dress. That was mid-calf length, and quite full. Worked for choir and orchestra.

My DD is now at a US Conservatory studying composition, if anyone wants to know about the US process from a UK applicant perspective.

Thank you so much, the bath sponge sounds like something I can do! The lesson is on Tuesday so, although I'm grateful to PinotandPlaydough, I think I could go to the shop and buy the sponge for the lesson.

Dd had a private flute lesson yesterday and absolutely loved it. The flute teacher was wonderful, very patient and it seems to have given dd a boost.

we used a bath sponge Just a cheap chemist one

Hope goes really well for her Shepherdmoons - music is a good way for them to make new friends and gain confidence over time!

@ShepherdMoons we used this to start with Faxx Violin Shoulder Pad - Thick Cut Pad with Elastic Attachment Straps (Used with Any Violin Size) www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B074MFRBM8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_6KPJSWPDJMGM72043D8E?tag=mumsnetforu03-21
It was for violin though. I might still have it, if you want I could pop it in the post??

Hi, I hope to have a bit of musical advice as I'm not a musical person myself but my dd has just started learning the flute and will start on viola next week. I'm hoping this will also help build her confidence as she's not academic and having some friendship issues at the moment.

The viola teacher has asked me to buy a few items for next week. I bought a rosin, the music book and the elastic band but I'm not sure what type of sponge to buy. I might sound completely stupid (!) but I really am confused, is this a special musical sponge or a standard one? Any help gratefully received!

Hi, does anyone know of a site for second hand music equipment? I’m specifically looking for a 4/4 bonmuisca shoulder rest.

A long black trouser suit was my favourite concert outfit I've made her. And most recently a near floor length black velvet dress when they had to have dresses

The DDs' school has one of those 'faux private school' kilts that are so popular now (I rather like it but the year 10 wears it perilously short)... not sure it is at all 'cello appropriate' but there hasn't been a concert for a while because of Covid so I guess so no-one's noticed.

Culottes - now there's a thought. A sewing project for DD1 there!

My mum made me black culottes ( very stylish!) for concert wear when I was at high school as I play the double bass and classical guitar. A pencil skirt would have been highly unsuitable, especially for guitar.

mini that is funny. There’s little chance of my dd being willing to wear trousers for a concert even with a cello. I shall buy some thick black tights. Have ordered a black skirt from the school section of m&s and will see how we do.

Queenmabby that is a lot of stuff- same here with year 8 so probably doesn’t matter that she’s busy elsewhere.

We always go for black trousers - even if it’s flute or bassoon. Never seen dd2’s teachers in skirts, even if they’ve been playing for seriously big orchestras or quartets for a wedding. Mind you also never seen them perform in a pair of jodphurs bought for pgl with the mud still on, which is what dd2 had to wear when we were caught out on this the other day. Don’t think anyone noticed!

I'd try and go for mid calf for a concert skirt unless they specify long. Charity shops and ebay are good for black skirts and concert dresses once they get to an adult size 6 upwards.

As and when you need a long black skirt they are easy enough to make if you can buy 3/4 yard of black fabric 140 cm or so wide. (NB if you have a cellist put your foot down and insist on trousers - skirts and cellos really don't mix - play the sexism card if they try to insist girl cellists wear a skirt.)