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.

And especially if it helps with sight reading as she is still worst at it. Our aim is now improving on sight reading, scale and aural otherwise we will never be able to have any distinction and I am aiming for it(blaming on you all who are talented or are having talented kids )

Green get her in that orchestra! Honestly you can't beat playing with others to help most kids " get" why you do it and its regular practice of sorts.

Thanks for your kind words about the kids. Since mum died last year and dad had really bad dementia I kind of have no one ( except my lovely internet friends ) to share the news with. I thought maybe I've hung out here for ages and new forum parents might like to see what might result from the endless paying for lessons and nagging re practice !

Helen: I am sorry to hear, please do share here, your stories(and pics inspired us--newbies).

Speaking of practice, we still have usual lesson tomorrow and I am dreadful to meet her teacher(usually she is with the nanny and teacher exchanges emails with us) especially there hasnt been that much practising. I had her D string fine tuner replaced and a new bow and tonight the violin practise session sounds awfully out of tune!!!

Helen it was lovely of you to share the photos with us. I feel the same about being able to post here. (I also used to discuss The Archers with my mum, but that's another thread!)
Green I think I can put your mind at rest about school orchestra and whether your DD would fit in. Ours has a rough entry level of grade 1. Not all the children are quite there. DS2 and the other cellist are working on grade 3 and are among the most experienced players!
Unfortunately, I don't know if I can persuade him to do the final term as it's in a lunch hour and he resents losing valuable playtime.

Helen what lovely pics! You must be very proud :)

Green I don't think it is ever too early to start to play in group situations. For a start, it hugely improves rhythmic awareness and the ability to listen and play at the same time. Go for it!

musical Respect! I also got up to grade 6 as a teen. I'm 51 now and I think I can appreciate more than most what an extraordinary achievement yours is. I don't play piano seriously now but I do play guitar and I'm very aware of how much harder it is to make progress in your 50s.

DD has had a very musical Easter weekend. Wrote (or at least finished) two new songs on Saturday and spent yesterday recording a cover version - which turned out a bit more ambitious than usual as it has eight tracks including guitar, three different keyboard parts and two vocal tracks, plus percussion. As usual she arrange, played and recorded it all herself using very basic equipment. I think it's probably getting to the point where we might need to invest in some more kit. Does anyone on here have a child who enjoys recording and want to share any tips?

musical RESPECT
helen thank you for sharing.
News here is that DS passed an audition to play percussion in a performance of Mahler's 5th and Prokoviev's piano concerto at the Royal Festival Hall next year and he's truly looking forward to it. But not as much as his mother

Awww Helen, I have poorly parents at the moment and I am very aware that once they have gone, there are very few people who will want to hear of DD's achievements. Please keep sharing all of your DC's successes as collectively it is was inspires/d newbies like me to join in this thread x

drummersmum - very well done to DS, that's so exciting for him and for you! I love the music selection as well. That is going to be a wonderful concert.

Drummer: wonderful, is it happening in London, please let us know if we could go and watch!

And everyone else, if there are good concert in uk which you could recommend please shout, we are trying to educate our ears(they are still very much dumb!)

Right, thank you everone, will brave myself and write to the school tomorrow!!! Fingerscrossed!

Loose: thats smth made me being reluctant to it to be honest, she is insisting in it now however her playing might be as equally exciting and important. At year 3, personally I prefer her going out their and does her usual climbing/chasing, lets see, she could always switch back if it isnt enjoyable.

I told our teacher about the new piano today and he grasped with horror that we bought a piano online, to be honest I thought its new so it doesnt matter however now I think I was naive. There is 28 days if smth goes wrong with it then we could retur/swap, hope not

Helen please keep sharing, it's lovely to hear!

Helen I share here too for the same reason. It's 8 years today since my Mum died, and I still miss sharing things. My Dad died before my DC were born.

Musical well done you!

Green everything is a balance, she will get loads from orchestra, and there are other playtimes.

Drummersmum what an amazing opportunity.

Aww raspberry my friend that must be sore for you and the ripplettes. Much hugs.

Musical - well done!

Drummers - that's fab !

My adult pupil who started the clarinet in January got a merit for her Grade 1 exam! I thought she would. We are both really happy. Just Goo's Theory to wait for now, and that shouldn't take long.

Waffle nose- my student's theory result literally just came online! I logged on and checked, not expecting anything and it was there. Then a split second later, the email came!

My lovely student got 85, her and her mum will be delighted. I'm sure your daughter will have done brilliantly!

That's so lovely, andantecantabile. What a great mark!

My phone just pinged with an email, so I logged on. Goo dropped a fair bit from her peak (99 on a practice paper!!) but got her distinction for Grade 5, so YAY! She scored 90, which I'm relieved about, because she got 89 for her Grade 3 a couple of terms ago, and was a bit annoyed with herself. I think she would have been fine taking Grade 5 in November, but she wanted the distinction. I couldn't be happier for her - she is at a friend's house so I texted the other mum. Apparently the news was met with a "YES!", fist pump and big smile. Goo has also thanked me for making her do the exam (a couple of weeks ago) because her new flute teacher is so impressed with her scales. The theory definitely helped with lots of things... ad now the screaming and drama is over!

Waffle a triumph for Goo! So great to hear that result after so much hard work. Many congratulations to you both! And lovely to hear about the adult clarinet player, too!
andantecantabile - well done to your student, a great result!

Many congrats to Goo, a very big fat distinction indeed, what a star!!!

Yaay ! Well done goo!

Well done Goo!

Just came to say theory results are coming through but you already know.

BIG Congrats to Goo. super results.

Well done Goo! We got a 64....arrgggh! It was a tall order grade 3 to grade 5 in a term so I am less surprised that her piano teacher but it being ok to fail at this age is no bad thing I think. Before I break it to her, has anyone had a remark before? She has grade 5 piano next term and I am trying to avoid exam overload. We might find the two marks maybe? (Clutches at straws) Autumn term is out of the question due to school entrance exams plus scholarship auditions etc...

Congratulations to all on the theory results! Prada, what a shame, so close too, but understand your dilemma over the next 2 terms full of other exam & audition pressures. Good luck if you go for a re-mark...

Commiserations Prada - so very close! It might be worth a shot. I'd also wait and see what the breakdown of marks is like, get her to work on the weaker bits and try again next term. I had a pupil go from 59 to 76 the following term, so a bit of extra preparation can make all the difference.

Thanks Waffle and Ealingmum. Think we are going to go for a resit with a structured approach as she literally only had a couple of crammer lessons for the exam so not bad really . Who knows, maybe she'll pull off a merit next time.... I did have a minor heart attack thinking she'd miss the next date because of a pre-booked hol but it's the 18th June so we re ok....phew!

Sorry to hear that prada. I guess it depends if you want her to resit it and get merit or distinction or you just want a pass. If you just want a pass it would be worth a remarking.

I would probably go for the remarking to just get a pass but it depends what your DD future plans are.