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!

How much would you spend on a non-full size instrument at Grade 5? Obviously the cost of different types of instrument vary. I guess, I just want to know whether you would look out for another basic secondhand student instrument, or aim to get something a bit better. The teacher has suggested the latter, but then he obviously lives and breathes his instrument, so he is bound to. A quick google search shows a huge price range - anything from £100 up to £3,000 plus.

Prada oh good, I'm glad someone else thinks that's funny! Not just me, then! Like Waffle's shop as well!

An Oboe?

You are cruel Waffle

OK, here is a clue... I know nothing about double reeds, so it's not any of those.

bagpipes?? (has clearly no idea what instruments have a double read...)

Piccolo?

or can even spell

Genevieva it depends on your budget. We made the decision to buy an acoustic piano when DD's teacher said she'd progress faster after having a digital (not a great one). With the second instrument, clarinet, I wanted to buy the ideal beginners one from the beginning which should last her till about grade 5. When we get there we'll reasses the situation and depending on our financial situation I am willing to spend the money if I see commitment.

Hi Genevieva, I don't know how old your DC is, but we took a number of factors into consideration which were: The quality of playing (at the time of considering upgrade), how much involvement in lesson & extra ensembles etc, number of school years left (e.g. did we want it to last until Y11/Y13?), re-sell value.

This then determined what we thought was a reasonable budget, working backwards.

A decent instrument didn't make her play any better per se technically, but made her feel better, as she noticed the tonal difference, had a more technically able bow for the level of play, and took greater care knowing her instrument had 'history'!

Single reed? The Welsh Pibgorn!

What is that!

Waffle A euphonium? A sousaphone?

Loose Thanks for the offer of flute and for Top Wind. I'll talk to DS1 about it - he's going to do an exam and then we'll discuss just how much he is going to be able to realistically do. But flute being the cheapest lesson in school I would be happy for him to just coast if he insists ...

Genevieva I would go a step up from beginners at Grade 5. Or even a couple of steps up. What instrument?

LOL at some of your suggestions, especially the bagpipes! Bear in mind she is 8 years old, 125 cm tall and about 3.5 stone!

Ooh, the Welsh pibgorn looks interesting!! And for Christmas, I want a xaphoon.

As long as it's not an ocarina!
The suspense is starting to get to me now...

I want to play this game! It is the serpent

Xaphoon

I have to say I never heard of a Xaphoon, is it similar to a flute? Clarinet? No clue.

Vaguely sax like, but with funny weirdo fingering.

I assume you can play it? And teach it of course. How did you come about learning how to play?

I should do some bloody work before they sack me based on how much I am looking at my phone today

No, I want to teach myself!

I have only had lessons on recorder (free, school lunchtime club style, from 6 to 11), Clarinet (7 to 20-odd) and piano (15-20 ish). I had to teach myself the rest. I came from a very deprived background without the same opportunites my kids have.

Looking forward to seeing your progress Waffle . My xaphoon ambitions are on hold at the minute as DD1 says I won't progress with my piano till I commit to practising it properly, so now she has thrown down the gauntlet ....

DD is in Year 11 and wants to apply for a music scholarship and hopefully a bursery. I know competition is tough and she certainly won't have as much to offer as some. She took Grade 2 Violin in 2013, passed Grade 5 with distinction in 2015 and Grade 7 with distinction this summer so I think has progressed quite quickly. She's been self teaching piano for a year and has just started lessons. Her teacher reckons she's around Grade 3 and has given her a couple of things to work on. She hasn't done Grade 5 music theroy, but hopes to take this and Grade 8 (her violin teacher thinks she'd pass now but it's better to wait in the hope she can get the distinction she wants) by next summer.

We've spoken to two schools. One says they require Grade 8, but she's exactly where they'd like her to be and just pointed out she would have to be working towards Grade 5 theroy if she obtained a scholarship. The other school says they require Grade 8 but she was clearly enthusiastic so they wouldn't rule her out. She is going back to do a short performance at both schools next week, so they can assess her prior to making a scholarship application.

Can I have some honest opinions please. Does she stand a chance of getting a scholarship?

Hi Tigerblue I have little experience in Sixth Form scholarships. Based on my 11+ experience though, schools really appreciate enthusiasm and the desire to commit to the many school musical activities which is very time consuming. Your daughter's will is very impressive. I think it's definitely worth a try. Can she sing? Given her level of piano, singing could help.
At the end of the day, it doesn't matter what "grade" she is. If she starts playing and the playing is beautiful and impressive and moving, they won't care if it's 7 or 8. Or at least the Heads of Music I have met wouldn't care.