Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Extra-curricular activities

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

Flip

1 2 ··· 33 34 35 ··· 39 40

Original poster

Spring/ Summer Music and Musicians Thread

981 replies

Wafflenose · 10/04/2016 11:25

My children go back to school tomorrow, and it's my birthday this week, so it must be properly spring in the UK now, and time for a new thread! Please jump right in by telling us about your DCs' learning (or your own), or by asking any music/ music exam related questions you like. We have lots of experienced music parents and teachers on here, as well as lots of new ones.

I am a music teacher, and mum to Goo (10) and Rara (7). Goo started the recorder and flute when she was tiny (age 3 and 6 respectively), has recently added piccolo, but not very well yet, and is starting piano lessons in a couple of weeks. She has no exams this term, but will probably do Grade 6 Flute in the Autumn and Grade 8 Recorder next Spring. She plays in her school orchestra and recorder groups, South West Music School and NCO, and has her first concert with County Wind Band tonight, after a trial course. She hasn't auditioned to become a member yet, and might not for a few years yet, due to age and time factors.

Rara isn't so musically inclined - she prefers to read and draw, and is also very physically active. However, she is due to take her Grade 2 Cello exam this term, and Grade 3 Recorder in the Autumn - she's currently getting to grips with the treble and loving it!

OP posts:

Thread gallery

NeverEverAnythingEver · 18/05/2016 08:26

Any violin learners? We are renting DS2's instrument but I wonder if it's worth buying the 3/4. How long do people normally stay with 3/4?

troutsprout · 18/05/2016 08:55

I like the idea that music is always something they can go back to and take up again as a hobby. It stays in them doesn't it? It's such a gift. I wish I'd had that chance as a kid (to do music) but was one of seven children and we were fortunate that there was food on the table tbh.
I see it at our music centre -A chunk of adults who last played as teenagers when they got to grade 5 practical level and then gave up. They got to a decent level where they can take it up again fairly easily.
I like the idea that even if she gives it up ( unlikely at this stage) I've got that in the bag for her future .
She can always go somewhere and do this thing ,meet people and be part of a sound.

howabout · 18/05/2016 09:33

Hi Neverever my 2 are string players as am I. May well be worth buying rather than renting. My strings dealer sells 3/4 violins of equivalent and better standard than school rental models for just over £100. You can then part exchange them for a full size later. If you have a 10/11 year old on a 3/4 they are only probably a 6 month growth spurt away from full size though.

onlymusic · 18/05/2016 09:55

Dd plays violin but still on 1/2 size, so no advice unfortunately....
But it looks like more expensive violins keep their value on second hand market....

Need some advice please... Dd is doing violin and piano and around grade 4 level on both. I was thinking of enrolling her on cello group at school. It is very basic - not further than Cello Time Joggers. My question is-would it be possible to get away with the minimum practice or no practice at all? I don't want to get her into another instrument if it needs a lot of time investment but I would like her to do it for social reasons.

howabout · 18/05/2016 09:58

only might be worth asking the cello teacher if she could join in and play her violin.

LetLoveWin · 18/05/2016 10:06

DD plays violin & piano (both G4, now training for G5)

DS plays violin & piano (both G2, now training for G3)

As they progress I am aware that we will soon need to tackle the dreaded G5 theory paper to take the practical any further... any tips?! Am planning to start practice papers over the summer hols...

onlymusic · 18/05/2016 10:11

howabout, ultimately I can I guess... But it seems like cello group is very special to our school, we have violinists too but they don't seem to have the same opportunities as cellists like performing at assemblies for example... Besides it will widen dd's musical experience anyway, so I don't mind to try it, it is practice that worries me...

NeverEverAnythingEver · 18/05/2016 11:26

howabout Thanks for the 3/4 size advice. I think he's outgrown the 1/2 but not too badly. There's a queue for 3/4 at the music school. They said that it's better to be slightly too small than too big. Maybe we'll wait then, unless the teacher says something.

only Having a cello learner and a violin learner, I would say that the cello is more forgiving than the violin but the bow hold is different and I imagine once you have to shift position you will need practice ... Especially in a group - a group of slightly out-of-tune players is not going to make a pretty sound ...

What is minimal practice? I think that's what my kids do ... About four 15min sessions a week.

onlymusic · 18/05/2016 12:11

Thank you NeverEverAnythingEver. Four 15 mins sessions a week sounds about right. How about two 15 mins? Or as a compromise three 10 mins? :) Not aiming at any grades

raspberryrippleicecream · 18/05/2016 12:28

Fleur they are both still playing. DS1 is 18, got to 8 in his brass instrumentss still has lessons and plays in ensembles. He is looking for opportunities at uni. DD is 16 and still playing/ having lessons on sax. She picked up piano after dropping strings and is just about to start Fur Elise!

Fleurdelise · 18/05/2016 13:50

Raspberry I know, I was just considering DD giving up maybe when she's a teenager thinking of how I like to have it all organised, you know, instruments, trying to be involved and supportive and then she'd give up. I hope she'll keep at it, it would be a shame to put all this effort in from all of us and giving it up because "it isn't cool" or God knows what reason.

lucysnowe · 18/05/2016 14:17

Thanks greenleave :) Yes I'd love that to happen with mine too!

drummersmum · 18/05/2016 14:29

Fleur I think the probability of teenagers giving up increases if there is a lack of ensemble/social/performance opportunities. The moment they start playing with other people in school or outside, make friends, etc it becomes more fun and part of what being a teenager is about. Performances build their self-esteem and makes them feel good about themselves which also makes them want to keep it up.

troutsprout · 18/05/2016 15:02

I think Dd likes it that at music centre (and in ensembles she plays in) , there doesn't tend to be people she knows from school. So it's a whole new set of friends (and dynamics). It gives her a proper break from the school friendship group .

Musicmom1 · 18/05/2016 15:10

Trout - DD likes that too; she has lovely friends in different schools etc from her various music things, and a whole set of Saturday friends. Am hoping this will ease the turbulence of friendship stuff st secondary school!

Full on rehearsals &concert (x2) weekend here, then a two week break before auditioning for JD (!) - not sure of dd's chances and would love to understand her mind when she decides she ants to use at least one new piece.....

drummersmum · 18/05/2016 15:21

Whereas DS playing mates are all from school and in fact they have all signed up for a summer course together!

musicmom by JD do you mean saturday music school?

Musicmom1 · 18/05/2016 15:27

Drummer - yes (as in one of the conservatoirea' junior depts); the sat music programme she is in now finishes at end of yr 6 in any event, and is strings only, so she wants to move a year early if she gets in so she can do her other stuff too

onlymusic · 18/05/2016 16:00

Musicmom1, how exciting, good luck to your dd! Is it in London?

drummersmum · 18/05/2016 16:08

Good luck musicmom. I thought all auditions were over for next september...?

NewLife4Me · 18/05/2016 16:16

Good luck to your dd Musicmom

I think the jd's are good for being able to continue other activities too.
Everything being done on one day sounds great.

As for children giving up, maybe it's better to look at the fact that some stop for a little while to concentrate on study.
I know that if dd subject wasn't music I'd be expecting her to cut down when it came to more homework and exams because she isn't bright and has to work at her academic subjects.
It's only because she is determined that music is for her that we wouldn't do this and let her attend her preferred school.

Sometimes I wish it wasn't music as I see what a struggle it can be to make ends meet, the balance between taking a teaching job and the freedom to play for a living. It is so much harder now with very little live music, and downloads, youtube etc make the sale of cd's and dvd's on gigs fewer, these days.

It's always there, like riding a bike. You might be a bit rusty at first and your fingers forget where they are supposed to go and you can't whizz about so much, but with regular practise you'd soon pick it up again.

AlexandraLeaving · 18/05/2016 17:01

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

drummersmum · 18/05/2016 17:09

DS didn't take Grade 6 even though he was ready because of waiting for theory exam. As it turns out, it was a blessing. He moved straight to grade 7 and took that one months later instead. You do not have to sit every grade.

Greenleave · 18/05/2016 17:51

Music mom, very best of luck!!!

Letlovewin: how old are the children and if you are musical at all? we are now in the middle of preparation for this June exam and we are only hoping for a pass. I bought the abrsm practise books G1-G5 and also all available past papers from G1-G5. We still have so much to review. Our 3 weakness areas are now: Ornaments, Chords and Transpositions. We learn the concepts by reading from practise books then practise, then practise...I just bought couple more books for her to work on as she is still very weak on these 3. Waiting for delivery.

Alexandra: thanks for the tips. Its hard especially for us who doesnt know music and cant help her.

Spring/ Summer Music and Musicians Thread

drummersmum · 18/05/2016 18:13

Oh Green DS was given Goodall's Big Bangs book as a music prize and we all read it. It's a great read!

Greenleave · 18/05/2016 18:24

Drummer: I am so into music now, I even listen to classical music any time I have a chance, on the train, lunch, before bed, while cooking...its all thanks so my daughter who is learning it

Flip

1 2 ··· 33 34 35 ··· 39 40