Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Extra-curricular activities

Find advice on the best extra curricular activities in secondary schools and primary schools here.

Original poster

Summer Term Music, Musicians and Music Exams thread

543 replies

Wafflenose · 13/04/2015 09:22

Hello again everyone! I know not everyone in the UK has gone back to school yet, and some of you are overseas, but term here starts today, so it's time for a new thread. Please post away about your children, your own musical studies or any questions about music exams/ learning an instrument generally. We have a helpful and experienced bunch of people here to answer queries or reassure you.

I have MiniWaffle, who is 9, and BabyWaffle who is 6. Mini has passed Grade 5 Recorder and Grade 4 Flute, and also plays some trumpet, piano and ukulele. Baby has passed Grade 1 Recorder and Initial Cello, and tinkers with the piano (when it's not in the repair shop...)

This term for exams, we have Grade 3 Theory (Mini) - as a warm-up for Grade 5 which will hopefully take place next year - and Grade 1 Cello (Baby). Both in June. I am doing Grade 2 Xylophone for the NCO Parents' Challenge! We have been challenged to learn an instrument unrelated to our proper ones, and I'm really a clarinettist.

OP posts:
Mistigri · 19/04/2015 14:14

DD started doing formal theory classes this year, think she has an exam in June. She was put straight into the top group (equivalent post grade 5) but has found it OK as she does a lot of harmony in one of her guitar classes so she is fine with intervals, and as a jazz guitarist rhythm is a strong point. She was weaker on notation and especially bass/alto/tenor clefs but she's improved a lot. She has a 45 minute class once a week - theory classes are obligatory at municipal music schools here and you don't pay extra for them (we pay the ridiculously reasonable sum of €140 a year for a weekly half hour sax lesson, 45 mins theory + 2 hours of ensemble playing!).

RaspberryLemonPavlova · 19/04/2015 14:36

Am jealous Mistigri. I am not going to add up how much the DCs lessons cost annually.

Piano/theory teacher brought DS2's mark sheet and Certificate yesterday and asked if he wanted to start Grade 6 theory! We have agreed to start it very gently, a page a week, and he can work at it when he has quieter spells.

I keep meaning to ask her how ABRSM know if they have the appropriate qualification to take Grade 6 and beyond. Do you take the relevant certificate to the exam?

I remember having to do this for DS Bronze performance ballet exam and ransacking the entire house to try and find the relevant certificate. We had every other certificate ever received, swimming awards, gymnastics, 'I took part in Sports Day' etc, all carefully filed. Luckily they accepted the marks sheet which we had received separately. (I did eventually find it some months later!)

Original poster
Wafflenose · 19/04/2015 14:56

From around 2000 onwards, they have kept records on their computer system. Before that, I used to have to send off a copy of the certificate or mark form, or the letter they send me (the teacher) when a pupil passes a theory exam. I guess if Theory was with Trinity and Grade 6+ with ABRSM, you'd have to send copies.

OP posts:
Musicmom1 · 19/04/2015 15:31

Mistigirl - that is amazing value. So we are def going to give June g5 theory a go as I don't think anything but a looming date is going to get dd to focus on it, and she really wants to do g6 cello in dec. interesting,y she had her first jazz lesson yesterday and learnt all sorts of interesting bits of theory in it so hopefully tht will help too. Loves jazz - so yet another commitment made,,,,,

Ishouldbeweaving · 19/04/2015 16:41

When Dh wanted to take G6 piano he needed his G5 theory certificate from the 1970s. He knew he'd taken it because he'd gone on to take ABRSM G8 violin but couldn't remember when he'd taken it or whether it was at school or at music centre. ABRSM did a sterling job of finding it with the poor information they had to work on, they found his G6 theory rather than his G5 so he went with that one. He had to produce it when he was entering for his G6 piano and then again for his G7. No doubt it will be out again for his G8.

I framed it and hung it on the wall just so I knew where it was - when DS gets his certificate that will be joining it. Do keep those certificates safe, you never know if your DCs will pick up another instrument when they are 50 and come looking for that G5. I'm certain that my MIL has the original safe somewhere although she denied it. Hmm

Shedding · 19/04/2015 17:27

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

RaspberryLemonPavlova · 19/04/2015 20:13

Thanks Waffle and Ishouldbe, will definitely add it to the wall! I never understood why the ballet exam board couldn't join the two things together - it was the same board.

I pay about £90 a year for all 3 DC to do the Music Service ensembles, DD gets most value as she does two and you only pay once.

County Orchestra has been funded this year, so I can't complain, plus some workshops with NYJO.

I also paid for Grade 6 piano yesterday so DS2 is committed, just really hoping the date works out OK and he is actually in the country!

Ishouldbeweaving · 19/04/2015 21:55

Our Saturday morning music school is £39 a term for one group, £50 a term for more than one group. It's ensemble playing rather than the traditional choir/lesson/theory/ensemble that was music school in my husband's day.

Our county ensembles are very definitely subsidised, the one night residential I've not long since paid for was all of £30. That covered staffing, accommodation, one breakfast, one lunch, two dinners (including Sunday lunch with all the trimmings), a coach to the concert venue and hire of the venue. DS was double booked on the first night so ended up going on the second morning - they sent my cheque back and asked me for £10. I'm hoping that the funding continues into next year because I think they may be off to foreign parts. I should be prepared and check his passport...

moonbells · 20/04/2015 11:46

Bounce! Teacher just phoned and DS got distinction for his grade 1 cornet (and with no front teeth! So pleased Grin can relax now

Mistigri · 20/04/2015 13:02

Well done to you DS moonbells.

DD is away on a residential music course this week. Dropped her off last night, have to go back at 4pm on Friday for the final concert. It is the highlight of her year - she loves it so much she has chosen to do a second, 2 week trip with the same association in July, in lieu of a birthday present. Apparently over 90% of the teenagers booked for the July course are returners so she's not the only one who loves it.

lavendersun · 20/04/2015 13:47

I got DD's (8) results today. She decided that she wanted to join the County music service's recorder ensemble (G1 needed) so I started teaching her just after the New Year, she knew the first octave but rarely played.

She got a distinction - very pleased.

motherwithheadache · 20/04/2015 15:48

after having done 1 exam last term, dd off to do another this summer term (different instrument!).

Original poster
Wafflenose · 20/04/2015 20:09

Well done to moonbells' DS and lavender's DD!

OP posts:
KaputKiss · 22/04/2015 20:40

A distinction for grade 3 violin for Ds (7)!!! I was worried as I knew there had been a couple of mistakes at least - feeling very happy now and Ds is ecstatic!!! Smile

Shakyisles · 22/04/2015 20:46

Hi everyone! I had forgotten it was a new term in the UK. I didn't post last term as things were fraught here. Miss 8 needed her grade 5 theory - so I helped her work at it - she sat it - and got the result yesterday - a pass of 75! We are all thrilled! It means she can go on to take her grade 6 sax later in the year, once her scales are secure. She knows her pieces by heart already. She also has specialist jazz lessons with a second teacher - so fees have gone up:-(

Older miss is now 11 and working away towards grade 8 violin. She is mastering loads of technique, moving onto the Kreutzer studies and practising really hard. She is starting to learn the history of the violin now ready for her dipABRSM in a few years time.

Here it's Autumn - but very mild still. Term 2 has just started. Big hello to everyone in the UK. It's great to read how everyone is getting on!

ealingwestmum · 22/04/2015 21:14

Great result KaputKiss and fantastic progress in NZ Shakyisles for both your DDs!

Happypiglet · 22/04/2015 22:32

Got DSs results today.
DS2 (9) got 127 for G3 violin. Would have been a distinction if he had practised his scales at all overall very pleased with comments
DS1 (11) is very disappointed with his 110 for G4 cello. They had the same examiner and I have to say he seems to have been marked really harshly on his pieces compared to his brother when the comments are very similar- even his school music teacher ( and accompanist) said so to him unprompted. I don't think he would have got enough for a merit even so but it has left him demoralised.
He has his first cello lesson after Easter tomorrow and we think we are going to ask to lay of exams for a bit. He needs to get back to just playing for fun. Plus there are school music prizes and concerts to aim for instead.
DS 2 will hopefully do G2 piano this summer. DS1 won't get to G3 piano this term.

morethanpotatoprints · 22/04/2015 22:49

No exams this time, but love reading the results.
Think dd is doing sax and singing gr5 this term, but we have to buy a shiny new sax, that plays in tune for classical playing. I think we'll hear fewer bends shakes and half tones for a while.
You'd think she and dh had lost a million the sulky faces. Grin
I'll be out when it arrives, or have headphones at least, not from the sound of the instrument, but them moaning.

LooseAtTheSeams · 23/04/2015 13:39

Well done to all the DCs. Happypiglet, those are great results and I know what you mean about the scales!
We had a great time on Tuesday evening. Both DSs were playing in the Merton 'Music is for Life' concert at the Albert Hall. The place was packed with children's choirs and ensembles, just a fantastic experience for everyone involved and the DSs had a great time. DS1 even negotiated a tricky transition when the percussion group he was in marched off the stage on one side and he had to get back to the orchestra on the other side to pick up his flute for the next piece!
Still waiting to hear the date of his drumkit exam!

Happypiglet · 23/04/2015 19:13

Well I spoke to DS1s cello teacher tonight and she is also indignant on his behalf but short of sitting the exam again there is nothing else we can do!! And there is no way I would make him do that.
She suggested reviving one of the pieces which he plays really well (but scraped a pass in) for the School Music Prize. Then hopefully he will get some more positive feedback for it!! At the mo he is allergic to all the G4 pieces! So I will let her have that conversation.
Anyway he leant a twelve bar blues bass line today in his lesson- just the tonic he needed!

RaspberryLemonPavlova · 23/04/2015 19:21

Well done everyone, some lovely results.

Happypiglet, I try and encourage not to dwell but to move on if things seem a bit random. The randomness can work both ways, maybe another time the results would look the other way round.

Loose what an amazing opportunity

Happypiglet · 23/04/2015 19:39

I agree...we will move on now! Thanks

Shakyisles · 23/04/2015 20:50

Has anybody any experience of teaching grade 6-8 theory? I'm working on 6 with my daughter and wondering just how much detail it's got to be in.

I know 1-5 like the back of my hand, but never taught anyone beyond 5. I have a Hons music degree and figured she doesn't need quite as much info so I finding it hard to pitch just right.
Any ideas?

Muchtoomuchtodo · 23/04/2015 21:06

We're very new to this!

DS (9) will be sitting his grade 1 guitar this term. I'd be grateful for any tips - DH and I are not musical in the least but are keen to support him as well as we can.

Thanks.

JulieMichelleRobinson · 23/04/2015 21:29

Shaky,

Sorry, I only took grade six theory myself last year! Not much help...