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December Music Thread

604 replies

Wafflenose · 01/12/2016 10:00

A new thread for December! Musicians and parents of musicians of ALL ages and standards are very welcome! I do try to keep up with the threads, but am struggling to remember who plays what sometimes. Might it be helpful to have a different thread where we could list them all (for people that want to?)

I am Waffle, teacher of woodwind, and mum to Goo (11) - flute, recorder and piano, and Rara (8) cello, recorder and clarinet. Rara has her Grade 3 Recorder exam on Monday, and I have quite a few other pupils entered, but no other exams for us this term. Goo has had a crap time recently, with a wrist injury, mangled fingers and now new braces, so I've pretty much written off any musical progress this term. We have the music festival at the end of January, so maybe she'll be all healed and ready to move forwards in time for that!

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2ndSopranos · 09/12/2016 17:11

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

raspberryrippleicecream · 09/12/2016 17:15

29th. Today was the first day ABRSM said it might be, so was hopeful!

Fleurdelise · 09/12/2016 17:51

raspberry DD's exam was on the 26th and the result came through Monday the 5th. I'd say it is any day now for you really, maybe Monday also?

raspberryrippleicecream · 09/12/2016 20:01

I think you are right Fleur.

Beatmy808 · 10/12/2016 04:01

Hi,

I learned piano and flute at secondary school, studied music GCSE and A level, and have done essentially nothing since.

I'm looking to get into composing my own music, have Logic Pro installed and mainly interested in writing dance and pop music. I'd really appreciate any links to workflow resources and compositional guidelines to get me started.

Am rather excited at the thought of delving into this.

Beatmy808 · 10/12/2016 04:02

Hi,

I learned piano and flute at secondary school, studied music GCSE and A level, and have done essentially nothing since.

I'm looking to get into composing my own music, have Logic Pro installed and mainly interested in writing dance and pop music. I'd really appreciate any links to workflow resources and compositional guidelines to get me started.

Am rather excited at the thought of delving into this.

Fleurdelise · 10/12/2016 15:02

Clarinet lessons done for 2016 now a well deserved break till January, not a break from practising though, in fact I ordered some Disney clarinet arrangments so DD can have some fun over the holidays.

Got the certificate today, DD framed it Smile, lovely comments also.

I hope everybody still waiting for results will hear soon!

raspberryrippleicecream · 10/12/2016 17:59

Last piano lesson today. Although we are going out to a concert with her presently, a young girl from Chethams is playing with local orchestra. And she will be in touch next week with results.

Would like to feel we are winding down, but that is not yet the case! Lots of concerts/ carol services yet.

DanyellasDonkey · 10/12/2016 18:21

I know he's a bit old for this thread but he's still my child.

My uni son composes music and recently had something of his used by Channel 4 News. That was my proud mum moment and made all the hours of making him keep going to piano lessons when he'd have willingly given up, worthwhile.

Fleurdelise · 10/12/2016 21:18

Danyellas that is fantastic, you must be so proud!

I'm looking at ways to get DD into the local wind orchestra from January, sounds great only it is on a Tuesday while I am still at work so I'll try and see if I could convince the GPs to take her. Hopefully they'll agree.

DanyellasDonkey · 10/12/2016 21:57

Thanks Fleur just trying to see how he can get more of his stuff out there, but we live in the middle of nowhere.

When my 2 were young, I was continually rushing around to piano lessons, orchestras and band practices - hope you can get something worked out for your DD. It's nice playing an instrument but much better when you're part of a group. That's something I really miss

raspberryrippleicecream · 10/12/2016 22:55

Welcome Danyella. Congratulations on your DS achievement.

This is an any age thread - we have DHs and posters doing exams and playing!

I post about my uni son too, he's just gone and playing in so many groups, all that rushing around is so worthwhile.

LooseAtTheSeams · 11/12/2016 12:58

Danyella well done to your DS! You must be very proud of him!
Well, we still haven't got DS1's grade 5 theory result - whatever way the music Centre gets the results it can't see them yet.
Otherwise, we still have some music lessons this week and a carol concert a week tomorrow. And I have done nothing so far about Christmas apart from make a list!

ealingwestmum · 11/12/2016 14:36

loose: I don't know how you are managing to keep so calm, knowing results are out but not being able to access would have sent me nuts by now!

Fleurdelise · 11/12/2016 15:22

Loose I agree with Ealing, I'd go crazy by now. Would you find out tomorrow?

DD had a piano lesson today, her teacher had to cancel on Friday but was able to make it out today. She started grade 5 piece no 2 (summertime) and we are all excited. I can't stop thinking that she could make it to March session for the exam but then she'd have the festival in February also... Hmmm decisions, decisions. To be fair though the teacher didn't mention entering her earlier so I don't even know why I am thinking about it. Maybe because I am dreading playing the three pieces for 6 months, even though I know she won't only play them and the third piece will be started later on, additional repertoire also, nevertheless...

LooseAtTheSeams · 11/12/2016 18:56

Fleur and Ealing I'm naturally a calm person but I must admit I nearly sent back an email saying How can you not know??! But I didn't! I go in tomorrow for my piano lesson so I will pester them then instead!
I think Minifleur could manage March but I like the other option as it wouldn't be that much longer and she could maybe experiment with her choices and focus on her festival.
I'm quite impressed with DS2 this term. Instead of a painful year of getting to grips with 3 pieces he has two grade 4 pieces done in one term and a couple of other pieces. Mind you, we need to crack on with scales next term! I'm now going to do a blind test for the section A piece because he has a habit of looking at the music for those and claiming they are boring! If he chooses by hearing rather than looking he might surprise himself! I have a theory about which one he'll prefer but I won't say anything until he decides.

onlymusic · 11/12/2016 21:08

DanyellasDonkey wow for PMM!
Waffle, thank you for Goo's theory exam story, it was taken with a huge interest and calmed someone down a lot Grin

Pradaqueen · 12/12/2016 05:46

Loose I think someone mentioned upthread that some theory results just weren't showing? I got miniprada's teacher to callABRSM hence how we know else we'd still be waiting! Good luck..

Hi to Daniellya. Sounds like you have a very talented DS there!

AlexandraLeaving · 12/12/2016 08:05

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Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Musicaldaughter2 · 12/12/2016 12:41

Prada and Green if this makes your DC's feel any better, tell them my DD auditioned for NCO 3 years ago, didn't even make regionals, and auditioned for NYO this year and got a place. She went from being slightly lazy to being determined to prove NCO wrong Grin

Greenleave · 12/12/2016 13:16

Loose: I would call abrsm too.
Musical: That is very inspiring, thank you. My problem is I dont think she would practise more than 30mins a day and more than 5 days a week for each of violin and piano. We play music purely for fun with no goal or ambition(blame me and my husband who dont have any musical background or know anyone plays). So if we aim for her to get in we have to be more serious than now. So I am still thinking what would be the best. She doesnt know about NCO or anything/anyone with NCO experience so it really doesng bother her at all. It bothers me great deal because I know the competition we are heading to and whether that is what we want for her-that I am not sure of. Doesnt mean we cant enjoy being in the middle (or bottom though).

Fleurdelise · 12/12/2016 13:21

loose and raspberry any news?

Have an easy week everyone! DD and I are running out of steam on all areas, we did no academic work whatsoever for the last week and music practice is done but not to the quality I would expect it to be done.

Trumpetboysmum · 12/12/2016 15:47

Fleur I wish I could take it easy !! I'm currently trying ( and failing) to write an essay and ds has 4!!! Tests this week plus almost 3 whole days of trumpet playing Friday, Sunday and Monday 😬

PetraDelphiki · 12/12/2016 16:35

I've just come up with a time table for two instruments per day (dd has 3) including lessons and a day off! Don't have a chance of more practice than that though!

So today is piano/violin - probably with the tantrum of "I don't know what to play beachside I've just done G3 and font have any new pieces"...am going to suggest one of the other G3 pieces for fun but who knows!

Btw can anyone recommend a cornet teacher in the Richmond area? Dd not enjoying her lessons at school and I don't want her giving up!

PetraDelphiki · 12/12/2016 16:36

Of course I completely forgot to include theory in my timetable...better rethink!

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