New Year Music and Musicians Thread

[Wafflenose]

Morning all, and Happy New Year. I decided it was time for a new music thread too. I really enjoy hearing about what everyone (and their DCs) are up to each term, and it's great to hear from new posters too.

I have two DDs. Goo (10) - the child previously known as MiniWaffle. She's not very mini any more... she's 4'10" and catching up with me. Anyway, she plays the recorder, flute, piccolo and a bit of piano when it occurs to her. She is doing Grade 5 Theory and possibly Grade 5 Flute (if the new teacher deems her ready) this term. Next recorder exam will be Grade 7, but possibly not for about 18 months! Am hoping the new flute teacher will also do a bit of piano with her... we'll see.

And Rara (7) - previously known as BabyWaffle - plays the recorder and cello. I was thinking of putting her in for Grade 1 Theory, but she's not keen, so we'll wait. She is in the blissfully calm position of no exams this term - yay!

We all have the local music festival next month. I think Goo is doing 11 Classes, and Rara about 7 (plus possibly helping with some percussion parts). I have 27 groups, pairs and individuals entered, so am going to be busy for the next month or so.

Boggles slightly at competitive parent and child competition but hope all the Waffles have a restful weekend after such an exciting week!
Sadly, the 3/4 cello has already been sold. However, cello teacher is asking around for us and will check the hire cupboard as well (which did make me wonder how long the 3/4 size would last, Musicmom!)
DSs started theory last night. DS1 has been recommended to do grade 4 past papers for a bit before starting grade 5. DS3 is starting on grade 3 workbook. They enjoyed the lesson and the only gripe was sharing it with each other!

Meant competitive parent and child 'category'. Sigh. It's been a long week!

And DS2, not 3!
Time for

Goo had NCO yesterday - 11.30-5.00 this time. I thought she would be tired today, but she is now practising the pieces. Rara is going to a cello tea party with a few other little ones at her teacher's house later. We are taking cakes, and they are going to get to know each other and play some pieces together. She's quite shy, but I think she'll enjoy it.

Wow - that's a good rehearsal. London juniors haven't met yet - not until end of half term, and then not again until May, which is a shame.

It's usually half a day, but we had sectionals this time, as it's early in the year. Last year they did the same thing once. Goo played 2nd Flute last year, and is on 1st this year. She's far from being one of the best - she's the youngest for a start - and two of the children who played 1st last year and are further on are playing 2nd this year. I think they just like to mix things up a bit. Anyway, the principal flute was absent yesterday, so Goo had to lead, and got to play a solo in Libertango! She did really well. It'll probably never happen again, but I'm glad she had the confidence to do it - she wouldn't have last year. She did come home saying she couldn't play much of the John Williams tribute. I printed out the music today for her to practise, and I can't play all of it either - it's a good Grade 8!! We'll do what we can, and try not to worry about it.

It's theory night in the Waffle household - did any of you hear the whining/ yelling? I haven't made Goo do any for two weeks, due to the music festival, yet she still sat there and moaned non stop... mostly "I CAN'T DO THIS! IT'S IMPOSSIBLE!" etc. After 35 minutes she had done just over half of a past paper, and dropped 2 marks because she doesn't know any German yet. Do clearly it isn't as bad as all that. Roll on March 2nd. I am SO over this.

You can tell her that you know someone who took a performance diploma, had his results in three days and two months later was still waiting for his certificate. They were holding it until they'd seen....the G5 theory certificate. It's worth the work because you never know when you'll need it. (I sent a copy of it with the entry form so they shouldn't have needed it again but then it wouldn't be an illustrative story, would it?)

March 2nd is less than a month away, it's downhill from here. When it's done, it's done - with the marks she's been getting on past papers it's unlikely that she'll have to sit it a second time.

Is there anyone else here sitting theory this time?

Waffle you have my sympathy. DD's been allowed to drop theory for the rest of this year because of her timetable (in class until 6pm three nights a week, and the one day she finishes early she has 2 hours of jazz guitar group and doesn't get home until 9pm). So relieved! Though I fear the conservatoire may make her take it up again next year when her piano level catches up with her theory level :-/

So far the Chopin nocturne is going well, though the fast bit in the middle sounds like it might be more of a challenge.

And I've had a bit of a breakthrough myself, on guitar ... Thanks mainly to a very good teacher this year.

It does pass Waffle. Nearly there.

DS2 has recording a CD with his Cathedral choir. They can only record after hours, so he has had some late nights. All finished now.

I share your pain Waffle. Also theory night last night here.... Just need to get the required 66 and then she can pick it up again after we've gone through the educational arms race that is 11+ entry.....

Exciting news - DD has been offered a weekly slot on the local radio station where she played a few weeks ago, playing a weekly cover version, or one of her own songs. It'll mean some recording work at weekends but she says she can do a lot of it at home.

This is the student who negotiated to drop theory because her timetable just doesn't leave her any time to study

Oh wow, that's amazing! It sounds like she's on her way to becoming a professional musician!

Goo has had two orthodontic appointments this week. She was referred two years ago, but they were waiting for all her adult teeth to come in fully, which they now have. Anyway, she's getting (turquoise) blocks braces on March 2nd - yes, the same day as the theory exam! - then train tracks in about 9 months' time. I'm sure this will affect the flute profoundly in the medium term, but when her teeth are sorted, things will be much easier for her than they are currently. Knowing her, she'll whinge, moan and kick up a massive fuss... then cope with everything like a trooper.

That's fantastic Mistigri! Your DD must be thrilled! And isn't it amazing what they can fit in!
I think Goo is a real trooper - braces and the theory exam in one day! Both for long-term gain, though.
Theory night last night - DS1 enthusing over all the new things he learned; DS2 glowering at being given homework! He's got all half term to do it and it's very manageable.

I am so excited today. Goo finished her theory paper from the other night, and scored 97%!!! She lost 2 marks because she didn't know what a German word meant, and I gave her 14/15 for her composition - it was excellent and fulfilled all the criteria, but I think she might have been pulled up on several repeated notes in the middle. She really has nothing to worry about now. 2.5 weeks to go. We haven't started on the foreign words for Grades 4-5 yet, but will just do our best. They're not usually worth too many marks in the exam.

I had two new clarinet beginners yesterday, spanning quite a wide age range!! Anyone like to guess how old? (Excluding anyone I know in RL who already knows!) I am so proud of them both!

How exciting Mistigri. It's funny how they can find time when they want isn't it?

Waffle, well done to Goo. She'll be fine. I'll gues 6 and 60?

DS1 finally got his own trombone yesterday. It involved a 200 mile round trip to the nearest decent shop, and he spent nearly an hour trying them out. He finally decided on a 2nd hand one, a better model than if he had got a new one.

Also meant we could take it with us, rather than going back to school and them ordering it for us through AIPS.

He's very pleased. It was his 18th birthday present, but he will be able to play it at school for the last concerts, plus band trip. Am really hoping he will find a band at uni

Waffle I'm guessing the older one is well above retirement age? 70s? Well done to Goo on her theory :)

Today DD learnt and then recorded a new cover version for the radio show ... wasn't too time consuming (an hour to get the song wired, and another hour to record a very simple acoustic version with 4 tracks). It's not the best recording ever (gain was a bit high on the main vocal so she has had to compress it a bit) but I think it'll be OK.

She has also learnt the first page of her Chopin nocturne ... I suspect the first page is the easy bit though ;) Have to say it sounds lovely ...

My new little one has just turned 8, is Rara's BFF and is rather short (as is Rara), although my youngest ever clarinet pupil was 6. The older one is... (drumroll) 94!!! Unbelievable. He will forever be my shining example of "it's never too late!"

Misti - that's impressive and a lot of fun too. Sounds like dd's future is set....?

Waffle - brilliant! DP has started piano - DD ritually humiliates him by playing faster (only time she goes near the piano...)

Musicmom - I don't think so! She wants to be a forensic pathologist ;) (Music is definitely just a hobby, she won't pursue it professionally).

I have sympathy for your DP, as I also play guitar and a bit of piano. My only comfort is that I can still sight read piano music way better than DD ...

Waffle 94!!!! My FIL is in his 80s and takes piano lessons, but he did play as a child/ young man.

94!!!! How fabulous!!!!

I know! If I'm alive and well at 94, I am going to take up the bassoon.

Goo's last theory paper wasn't a fluke. This one had completely different questions, e.g. writing music out in full, from short score, which wasn't in the last one. She got 95%! So we will go all out and work on learning some words, although if she only manages a handful more, it won't be the end of the world. Her marks so far are: 91 (looking bits up), 78 (first solo attempt), 88, 88, 97, 95. So I think if she avoids silly mistakes, she should get a distinction. No worries if not - it will just be great to have it out of the way. 14 days until the Theory (and braces!), and about 21 days until the Flute exam. I don't think she's been near the flute for about a week! Will get on her case tonight...

How old were your kids when they started? Mine just turned 3. She seems to have a good ear for music and talks about a guitar a lot; but am thinking it's too early. There are quite a few classes on EncycloKidia that cater to her age group, but they don't seem to be focussed on any serious music learning - just an exploration of instruments.

Waffle Goo is doing so well with Theory well done to both of you. We will accelerate theory also after the exam. We got the date for the exam now it is 19th March which is perfect still time to polish all the pieces to a high standard.

Shef 3 year old sounds really early but I have no clue about guitar, DD does piano and she started at 6. I know her teacher (teaching piano and violin) doesn't take pupils younger than 5, she did take a few 4 yo but made it clear to the parents that progress would be slow. As an example she has a pupil that started piano at 4 and only taking grade 1 now at age 9 however there are different reasons for it including lack of practice. I guess it is hard to reinforce practice when the child is so young.