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Extra-curricular activities

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

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May/ June Music and Musicians Thread

920 replies

Wafflenose · 24/05/2016 17:48

Welcome, everyone. I can't believe we need a new thread already, but I'm delighted that they now seem so popular!

I'm Waffle, I'm a music teacher and I have two daughters - Goo (10) who plays the recorder, flute, piccolo (a bit) and started the piano a month ago, and Rara (8) who isn't as musically inclined but plays the cello and recorder. She is plodding (very) slowly towards Grade 3 on both.

We're going on holiday this weekend, so will have to have a good read when I get back. For now, I'll wind the thread up and let it do its stuff. Grin

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CrotchetQuaverMinim · 13/06/2016 07:24

does anyone know, if there's a teacher that teaches at one of the music colleges/guildhall etc, is it common that they also teach privately outside that job? And if so, do they do it at home, or can they fit private pupils in at college around their other work? (somehow I doubt that'd be allowed).

CoteDAzur · 13/06/2016 08:14

Yes, I watched Amadeus many years ago and seem to remember that there was a short and unflattering appearance by Bach. Not quite sure how or why, as Mozart was born 6 years after Bach died.

NeverEverAnythingEver · 13/06/2016 08:27

I think it was Mozart making fun of one of Bach's pieces. He was very naughty, if you believe Amadeus.

CoteDAzur · 13/06/2016 08:37

Ah OK, .

I don't think those are actual Bach pieces, though. Especially the second one (when he is flipped over) doesn't sound like Bach at all - too simple.

Mozart was no doubt a genius but his is the Pop of classical music imho - simple singalong melodies, very little counterpoint, etc. There is a lot of classical ROCK music that is more complicated, more challenging, and musically more satisfying than much of Mozart's stuff. To each their own and all this is imho, of course Smile

exampanic · 13/06/2016 08:46

well, my mum is with you, never liked Mozart, "too sweet" for her taste she used to say. But she was not that into Bach either... Loved playing Chopin, , Grieg, Brahms, whilest we were in bed. Good memories...

NeverEverAnythingEver · 13/06/2016 08:48

Mozart - the A minor piano sonata is a bit different. I like that but it's a bit hard to play.

CoteDAzur · 13/06/2016 08:55
? Again, not my thing. Drama created by banging on the keys but very little musical complexity imho. Also, there is no counterpoint and the accompanying left hand is basically just drumming out simple two-finger chords. Then roles are reversed and the right hand is drumming out the same chords.
troutsprout · 13/06/2016 10:00

I am realising that I too must live in a different world. In dd's state primary, there were maybe 3 kids who got grade 3 or above. Dd Managed to get to grade 5 before she left primary but this was done outside school at a local music centre. Her state secondary school now tends to veer towards drums and guitars and keyboards at a basic level and has few kids coming through playing orchestral instruments.
I am now realising why the local music centre and county orchestra is full of privately educated kids.
Music is a 'dear do' isn't it? I try not to think of how much money we have spent on it (and are missing out grades to save money). The local music centre is good termly value ... Just a shame that it doesn't have more kids from all sorts of backgrounds. More needs to be done... But you need to get your hands on an instrument first to play it don't you?- Even the music centre assumes you come with your own.
Dd said the other day :-"Mum..everyone should be doing more music. It helps me with everything! languages..Maths..English ..drama..> actually, nearly everything else I do at school!"
She is lucky... I wish we could share the love a bit more

Mistigri · 13/06/2016 10:00

I like that Mozart sonata but I have very unsophisticated musical tastes as my DH (a big fan of contemporary classical music) never ceases to remind me Grin.

Two days to go here - recital on Wednesday evening. DD has a final lesson today and then all that's left is to cross fingers very firmly lol. I did get a bit of video yesterday - basically I snuck in mid practice and took some sneaky video with my phone Blush. Excuse the crappy sound (she is playing as if she was using a grand piano - which doesn't really work on a cheap digital) and the squeaky pedal ....

onlymusic · 13/06/2016 10:06

Mistigri you should post more videos of your dd - to motivate the rest of us....

Mistigri · 13/06/2016 10:06

I am realising that I too must live in a different world

Yes, me too. DD is a decent guitarist and average pianist, but she'd look mediocre in some settings.

Music isn't quite so expensive here for beginners as most music schools will lend instruments and the lessons are highly subsidised but at DD's stage it still costs me an arm and a leg. I thought we might get away with buying no instruments this year but she is adamant that she needs a better piano now (and sadly she is right).

NeverEverAnythingEver · 13/06/2016 10:14

That A minor sonata has a lot more discord in the middle than most of the Mozart stuff I know of. Mitsuko Uchida plays it with a lot of oomph. I feel that this one is Mozart indulging in his inner Beethoven. Grin

But each to their own. I'm not a huge Mozart fan either. Though I could listen to the Requiem a lot more times ... :)

onlymusic · 13/06/2016 10:17

troutsprout same at our school.
As far as I am concerned dd is the most advanced musician in her whole school - but this is easily explained-our school provides keyboard, cello, flute and guitar lessons - it is cheap but the quality is Hmm. Instruments could be hired too. And as it is cheap parents don't take practicing seriously I guess....

onlymusic · 13/06/2016 10:19

Well, I didn't want to be impolite, but I totally agree about another piano...
Mistigri

Mistigri · 13/06/2016 10:32

only indeed ... She does get to practice on the grand piano in the auditorium at the conservatoire (which she is allowed to use any time it is not being used for lessons), but assuming she continues next year we will need to sort something out for practice at home.

The problem is that we do not have room for an acoustic right now - there are access issues for the only room we could out one in, and we're moving soon anyway. I would happily buy an upmarket digital piano but I don't know whether that would be a good choice. Bearing in mind that she only has another 2 years at school and then she'll need instruments that are compatible with student accommodation...

musicathome76 · 13/06/2016 10:45

Mistigri beautiful playing, but agree that need another piano.
My 12 year old is currently playing the prelude in C minor, which someone had posted before (prep for his grade 5 exam in 2 weeks time!) I'll try and video him and post it to show where he is after a year of piano lessons. We also need to buy a new piano as this one has been tuned recently but cannot be brought to orchestral pitch as too old now.
My 5 and 8 year old kids love to be videoed Smile, but 12 year old less so..

ealingwestmum · 13/06/2016 10:46

Loving the posts of all your DC playing...thanks Mistigri !

Mistigri · 13/06/2016 11:00

In our defence the piano was bought for my then 6 year old son when he started (and just as quickly stopped) piano lessons quite a number of years ago. It then sat in the attic for years until DD got it out almost exactly two years ago with the intention of teaching herself to play some pop songs. It's only this year that it's got more "serious", in fact until about 9 months ago I don't think she had ever played an acoustic piano! I don't mind investing if I can be reasonably certain that she will keep it up.

This music business is a bottomless money pit lol ... so far this month I've already spent about 300€ just on accessories that she needs for live guitar performances (new pedal, cables, strap, strings) ...

drummersmum · 13/06/2016 11:15

DS didn´t appreciate Mozart to its full extent till he started playing it, he's currenlty learning the Sonata in G K283 and he never stops marveling at what Mozart is doing with the music, specially for his time.

Crotchet I know of someone having private lessons with a RAMJD teacher. It used to be at teacher's house, but recently they have been having them at RAM on Saturdays because one JD student stopped going and the teacher had a free hour. So it's definetely allowed, but it depends on teacher's availability and, of course, you're paying a kidney for a lesson. The thing to do is contact the teacher first. This child had to audition for the teacher, though, because they don't take anyone.

drummersmum · 13/06/2016 11:15

DS didn´t appreciate Mozart to its full extent till he started playing it, he's currenlty learning the Sonata in G K283 and he never stops marveling at what Mozart is doing with the music, specially for his time.

Crotchet I know of someone having private lessons with a RAMJD teacher. It used to be at teacher's house, but recently they have been having them at RAM on Saturdays because one JD student stopped going and the teacher had a free hour. So it's definetely allowed, but it depends on teacher's availability and, of course, you're paying a kidney for a lesson. The thing to do is contact the teacher first. This child had to audition for the teacher, though, because they don't take anyone.

drummersmum · 13/06/2016 11:15

DS didn´t appreciate Mozart to its full extent till he started playing it, he's currenlty learning the Sonata in G K283 and he never stops marveling at what Mozart is doing with the music, specially for his time.

Crotchet I know of someone having private lessons with a RAMJD teacher. It used to be at teacher's house, but recently they have been having them at RAM on Saturdays because one JD student stopped going and the teacher had a free hour. So it's definetely allowed, but it depends on teacher's availability and, of course, you're paying a kidney for a lesson. The thing to do is contact the teacher first. This child had to audition for the teacher, though, because they don't take anyone.

drummersmum · 13/06/2016 11:16

Never intended to repeat myself Confused

Greenleave · 13/06/2016 11:58

So gutted I am running out of my quota data limit so I will have to wait until I get home tonight to see Mistigri daughter. So looking forward to it.

Regarding to music level, my daughter's state primary school doesnt have as high level as everyone on this thread. As mentioned here couple of time, the children who is taking lessons from school are not progressing very fast. They havent reached to grade 1 violin yet when they started together with my daughter. The children in the Orchestra(a year or two above my daughter) are however very advanced. My daughter said all of them have parents playing or know how to play and/or have older siblings playing. I am raising my hope for my second child.
Loose: exam in 2 days. Hope he is doing well.
Have a good week ahead everyone!

CrotchetQuaverMinim · 13/06/2016 12:30

thanks, Drummersmum, that's what I needed to know. I haven't got as far as enquiring about the price yet - think that is going to be the limiting factor that makes it impossible. It's actually for me, someone recommended a teacher at a workshop, but when I look her up, I only see her listed at conservatoires, JDs, and specialist schools. She might teach privately too, but I'm a bit nervous of contacting her (and I can't ask the person who recommended her as it was a chance meeting). I think it's probably unlikely she teaches novice adults anyway. If she taught at home, it would be OK, especially on the weekend, but actually easier to get to the various academies/guildhall etc as they're more central and I'm free in the daytime anyway, but the cost there would likely be even more. Will probably have to keep looking. (There are not loads of teachers around for it).

CrotchetQuaverMinim · 13/06/2016 12:46

(I'm also quite embarrassed about asking, in case it is totally inappropriate and I put her in a difficult position, as I will be at workshops in the future where she teaches. It feels like I might be being very presumptuous and arrogant by even asking, against some etiquette or something, but that's probably just insecurity talking!).