September Music and Musicians Thread

[Wafflenose]

Hello to all musicians and parents of musicians, both old and new, beginners and advanced! Feel free to share whatever you like, and ask away about anything to do with music, exams, concerts, repertoire, practice, etc.

We are all heading back to school and work this coming Monday. My daughters Goo (10) and Rara (8) will be going into Year 6 and Year 4 respectively. Goo plays the recorder, flute and piano (just took up piano in April) and I have slapped a ban on exams for about a year - she has been doing too many. Rara plays the recorder and cello, and will be doing whole class brass lessons during Year 4. She's taking Grade 3 Recorder this term, and is about two-thirds of the way through the Grade 1 Theory book, doing it in her own sweet time and bloody annoying unique way. Goo's main project will be NCO and county auditions... not that she's busting a gut currently!

Thanks, Green!

Goo is huge, around 5 foot now.

Waffle: rara is lovely, really seems to enjoy the trumpet. Bet dd would love her, we had sitting on the floor to play Beethoven (violin) tonight . Dd triumph is that she can now play the low e in clarinet . Good luck in the assessment. Hope it works out. Goo seems very competent after 5 months

Think Goo's piano teacher has got a very got measure of her . Rara is super cute on the trumpet too!

DS1 can now reach a ninth on the piano.

hello MrsDV :)

Does your DS have lessons? does he have any formal musical background?

(I have a teenage guitarist - plays acoustic, electric and bass, as well as piano and a bit of sax).

Icouldbe I was the one who asked about jazz piano - lovely to hear your DH is doing it. Suspect DS2 would find it harder! Might be nice for him to just try one or two pieces from the grade 1 book, though.
Goo is doing so well! Lovely long fingers and great sense of pulse. I think the teacher has it right, to be honest.
But my love of the day is the clip of Rara - she is so sweet! Her smile after playing her piece is adorable! She's made a great start on trumpet!

Hello, I think I should join your thread as I have been lurking and it's really inspiring. Don't know if I will keep up but will try. I have ds1 who is in year 3 (summer born) He plays double bass and sings and does bits of recorder at home. He will probably do a grade on something this year but not this term and we are not sure what/when. It's great to read about all the music families out there and feel we are not alone practicing away!

Hello Radio! Welcome.

Waffle - limited internet connection so looking forward to seeing your girls when I have more than a dial up signal!

To the percussionist mums... Is it possible to hire a marimba or pick up one relatively cheaply? My friend needs one swap for her son who is turning out to be a bit of a whizz on percussion. Any suggestions gratefully received! Suspect there are none in eBay lol!!

Waffle Goo is really coming on - I think her teacher has her pegged about right. (DD2 got to about grade 4 in a year starting age 10 - bit of a pain point when she got to grade 5 pieces too complex to memorise quickly because unlike Goo she couldn't read music properly).

Loving seeing Rara on her trumpet - reminds me of when DD1 was just getting started.

I can reach a 9th Neverever but since DD1 and her tiny hands can play Bach inventions incomparably better than me I am not sure this is always to be envied.

Prada it is possible to hire a marimba from Bell percussion in London but they don't say how much it costs - you have to contact them. That might be a slightly ominous sign!

MrsDeVere It sounds like your DS has a definite aptitude in music! What does the teacher say about how he can expand his horizon or take things further? Would he be interested in other instruments as well?

howabout Ah but you can play Bach's inventions with smaller hands. I'm thinking Rachmaninov and Brahms... Thank of all the noise you could make!

Welcome newcomers! I hope you are here to stay

DD at 9 can just about stretch to an octave, Goo definitely has long fingers, she is so lucky!

MrsdeVere it sounds like your DS is very talented and enjoys his music. I think it is normal for DCs to outgrow their teachers if that makes sense, and that makes me sad somehow as we have two fantastic teachers at the moment but I am aware that maybe the day will come when DD may have different needs and we will have to change them if the current teachers will not be able to fulfill them. I would try to establish, in your shoes, if you can find another teacher who is willing to take your DS to the next level whatever that may be. Or if the current teacher is able to cater for his needs by researching what the next level of development may be.

MrsD

I'm not sure whether this will interest you but my dd attends a well known private specialist music school for those with potential to become professional musicians.
There are fewer than 300 children and at least 50 with SEN some including EHC plans.
Musicians are known for being quirky and as a profession attracts many with SEN with and without diagnosis.
Obviously, I'm not suggesting you rush out and sign him up for your nearest specialist school, but to let you know that supporting him will definitely help if he wants to go into the music industry.
It sounds like he has made a good start and you sound really encouraging of him.
Teachers are used to their students outgrowing them and in general are glad to see them move forward with a promise for free tickets when they are famous and in the meantime updates on their progress.

MrsDV your son sounds very like a boy i know who is on the spectrum and is an amazing guitarist - and I do mean amazing. I know a lot of good guitarists and technically he is as good as any of them. He is jaw droppingly good, I imagine your son is similar.

The advice I'd give is to ensure that his understanding of the underlying theory keeps up with his technical ability. He will probably enjoy theory, so find a theory teacher who is also a guitarist, or get his current teacher to work on theory with him. It's common for guitarists to develop an instinctive understanding of some parts of music theory (for eg my dd who is a guitarist was able - before ever learning to play piano or doing any theory - to transpose instantly on piano as well as guitar) but it doesn't hurt to formalise the knowledge.

Some jazz classes would probably be a good idea too

And I agree that it sounds as if a specialist music school would be an ideal environment for him :)

Hello, I've posted about losing my ds's piano teacher, but today I found out they found alternative teacher.

We received email from the teacher, but he suggested we buy the new book, which he will be using to teach. I would rather he used the book ds was already using and almost finished. Is it rude to suggest/ask?
It's at the school, but paid termly, so it is a private lesson.

MrsD

I'm happy to share our experience with you if you ever want to pm.
I realise all children are different and have different needs so certainly wouldn't advise you what to do as I don't know your son or the severity of his SEN, I will repeat though, it's a great industry for people who have been known to feel like square pegs trying to fit into round holes iyswim.
My dd is currently on waiting list for assessment for ADD?ADHD? and Aspergers. She also has some learning difficulties that are as yet undiagnosed. Although we have been told she is dyslexic by a qualified retired Ed psych. For diagnosis we would have to pay which doesn't seem worth it as school have said she'll have extra time in exams now anyway.
I digress Will be happy to help if I can

Gosh I can't keep up with this.
Waffle such lovely videos thanks for sharing. They way I see it - for what my opinion's worth - Goo is very musical and shows very good sense of rythm, impressive development after a few months. I have noticed she's curving her fingers but from the base of the fingers mostly, dropping the wrist and tensing the hand which is then forced and tensed. The arms and hand have to produce a nice relaxed continuous line, which means wrist has to stay more listed than most people would instinctively hold it and then curve nicely from hand down. Could help to sit a bit higher I got the impression she's a bit low but it's difficult to tell. Rara's smile I am happy the school is finally listening to you and are ready to diagnose
Loose jazz piano: DS has been doing this for two years. Loves it. No exams which means no limits on repertoire and more flow (jazz is all about flow ) He does have a teacher for it separate from his classical piano teacher. Does lots of improvisation and for that it helps to have a good base in terms of piano, keys and scales, even theory knowledge I think.
Prada Marimba Hiring one on a regular basis is insanely expensive. Not an option for normal people. The only way DS could have access to a marimba in yr 7 and 8 was at school. He had a xylophone generously loaned by school at home. Then he won an award after audition to buy a marimba and the dream became true and we now live share our living room with one. Without that award there's no way we could've bought one. I am in a rush now but can elaborate more about prices etc.
irvine I would ask about old book. Why not. Nothing to loose. Open communication with teacher is very important. You're not being rude.
MrsD welcome!
Off now I can smell the rice burning

waffle wrist lifted not listed....sorry

I forgot waffle I think Goos' teacher is right about trusting her potential.
And now the rice is charcoal.

Ok, have a stupid question for drummersmum and anyone else who can help?
what instruments are tuned percussion besides Piano and xylophone/ vibes.
i'm asking for a friend whose dd plays drums but has been advised to play tuned percussion for more opportunities.
Child is only 7 so obviously no rush but she needs ideas.
Are they expensive to buy? Do schools usually have some basic instruments?
Thanks all, she asked me but I have no experience of this.

Thank you loose.

Gilly - I think a marimba falls into this category. My friend also has a child into tuned percussion!