Autumn 21 music thread

We will have two grade seven exams next term, the aural is definitely a big challenge, I might get that app. The part singing is hard, I did hope that being at JD would help but they get so little choir it's not really going to have helped. They can go to an extra class so will probably do that after Christmas. One grade 5 this term, that seems to be going fine so far. Might even have some festivals next year 🤞

That is really really kind of you - I'd love to use that! Is Morley easy for you or is there an easier place to drop it off (or I'll pay postage)

@minisnowballs I've just found my girls' old copy of the Paul Harris Grade 7/8 aural test book if you'd like it I could drop it off at Morley for you? It's missing a CD but much of what is in the book is more about how to think about the aural tests rather than practice as it is intended to be a supplement to the ABRSM materials rather than duplicating them.

Just in case anyone else is thinking about getting the ABRSM Aural trainer app, I've just discovered that it doesn't work with bluetooth headphones or speakers (so no airpods). Its not a deal breaker, but just thought I'd save anyone else trying to pair airpods multiple times!

Brilliant! Thanks all - I'll look at the app - we used the 1-5 one NorthernGoldilocks, and that was OK.

6-8 aural feels like a different kettle of fish (because you are supposed to be backed up by your theory I guess but i think dd did her best to forget it asap!). Her grade 6 aural was not as good as it could have been (lockdown aural provision utterly woeful) so I'm nervous this will be worse.

Londonmummy I have messaged you back, thanks so much!

Just checked - there is. Its £6.99. I find it quite useful in terms of playing the sections for singing back / looking for musical 'features'. I do technically play the piano, but haven't played properly for years beyond correcting / helping my kids and so am not really good enough to just sit down and sight read this stuff effectively for the tests.

@minisnowballs - I've PM'd you

ABRSM have an aural trainer app. I have the grade 1-5 one, but would be worth checking if there is a 6-8 one too?

That’s all a big relief wrinklyeyes - good tips there and hopefully the boarding school lifestyle won’t appeal too much to dd2.

@minisnowballs - DD also at inner city comp. She has been to music residentials at three different ‘posh’ boarding schools and was not keen on the accommodation in any of them, didn’t like the food in 2 out of 3 and even though she enjoyed the courses was very happy to be back in her own bed each time.

On the aural, the answers are in the back of those books. It might seem overwhelming but just remember on the day there will only be one of each question. As long as she opens her mouth and says/sings something she will get marks. And encourage her to give confident responses even if she’s unsure of the answers. They will give more marks for (correct) confident responses than (still correct) hesitant answers.

She's done PGL before without anyone she knew so not really worried about that bit, just about not 'fitting in' given that she's from an inner london comp...I'm just worried she'll come back wanting to go to boarding school.

This morning's joy. Grade 7 aural. She's been going to lunchtime classes at her saturday school for her december exam, but appears to have learned absolutely nothing. We have a book and CDs and I am not musical - any advice?

@minisnowballs don't worry about the residential - the accommodation is not dissimilar to university. Everyone is really friendly and they take the pastoral/ social side really seriously too.

Second music stand with ipad attached to it worked well for us - used it for cello and piano all through online lessons.

When DD was having piano lessons over zoom in lockdown she put her phone on the side of the keyboard so that her teacher could see her hands rather than her face. It seemed to work for her.

for online piano lessons we had a music stand next to the piano - it was angled so that you could see the piano keyboard as well as the person playing. Would that work?

That sounds very stressful Comefromaway. I wish I had useful advice - just commiserations - it is just so stressful to plan anything right now.

That's really frustrating, I hope you get something sorted soon. Would setting up a second device for a zoom lesson mean the teacher could see more than one angle to get a better view? Just turn the sound off so no interference.

I'm a bit worried. Ds hasn't had a piano lesson for ages. His teacher had to cancel one for a staff meeting (he also works in schools) then it was half term, then ds had to cancel because of his college concert and now he has tested positive. With auditions looming it doesn;t bode well. He needs to work on technique and the teacher needs to be able to see and correct him clearly so online isn;t working.

My dd went to a residential music camp in a 'posh' boarding school. The building is gorgeous but the bedrooms were pretty scruffy looking, I was really surprised! She loved the experience and I'm sure there will be a range of people.

@yodaforpresident that's brilliant news.

dd2 is worried it is going to be 'posh', having watched the videos (we're not much used to things in grand boarding schools), but I'm sure there's a spread of people and it will probably do her good.

@minisnowballs Girls Choir is a lot of fun. My DD(10) got to do her first courses last year. The residential in particular was great and the showing at the end of the week for the parents (which Jo led) was amazing - it was hard to believe that they were young children. Truly awe inspiring.

@minisnowballs TBH that sounds more fun than the Libby Larsen Jo is conducting....

I'll let you know what else she is up to as it is good to see conductors from behind sometimes!

Would have been lovely - we have a date with Dear Evan Hansen that night (much anticipated) so will have to pass. Another time for sure!

@minisnowballs - she will learn a huge amount from Jo she is a really inspiring choral director. If you are in London and want to see her in action she is conducting on Thursday - PM me if interested.