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 ··· 22 23 24 ··· 30 31

Original poster

January Music Thread

769 replies

Wafflenose · 02/01/2017 22:24

Happy New Year!

Sorry I'm a bit late starting this thread - I've been away for a few days without internet access. Anyway, this is our monthly thread for musicians and parents of musicians of all ages and all abilities. It's a great place to chat, or to ask questions about lessons, practice, exams, auditions or anything music-related.

I have two DDs: Goo (11 and in Year 6) who plays the flute, recorder and piano, and Rara (8 and in Year 4) who plays the cello, recorder and clarinet. I think we have Grade 7 Flute and Grade 1 Clarinet coming up this term, and also the local music festival and Junior Young Musician competition for Goo. Grade 7 Recorder and Grade 3 Cello are tentatively pencilled in for the summer, but we'll think about those nearer the time. Goo is also in NCO, and lives for it... it's all she talks about, she loves writing to and texting all the friends she's made there, and she is in Under 12s this year. I am a teacher of woodwind and have a little clarinetist who's just got into Under 10s. I hope to have a few more trying out next time.

OP posts:

Thread gallery

Trumpetboysmum · 26/01/2017 14:08

Sorry disorganised that sounded a bit negative and it wasn't meant to !! If I remember correctly your ds has already had an advice lesson so they obviously think that he is the right standard which is great I just always try and keep these things in perspective as it helps me not to worry

disorganisedmummy · 26/01/2017 14:55

Lol Trumpetboysmum, I don't think you were being negative. I'm just a natural born worrier. The Head Of Strings who assessed him just before Christmas said he would like to see him in 2 terms time when he has upped his practice. But the date they've given him isn't quite a full term net alone 2. I'm not qualified in any way to know whether he will be ready in 8 weeks time or not. Not sure whether to ring/email Guildhall/HoS.

Trumpetboysmum · 26/01/2017 15:44

It might be worth a call but I honestly wouldn't worry he's got nothing to loose by giving it a try and it will be a really useful experience for him whatever the outcome

violinandpiano · 26/01/2017 17:00

No worries, disorganisedmummy. Last year my DD did JD audition and got in. In fact she just did the grade 3 before Christmas.

NeverEverAnythingEver · 26/01/2017 19:22

DS2 just got exam date for his drums exam - it's on a Sunday! Is that normal?

stringchild · 26/01/2017 20:11

Disorganised - please don't worry; they know exactly when they last saw him so won't expect two terms progress in less than a term:) i am sure having a date will motivate him!

disorganisedmummy · 26/01/2017 20:16

Thanks everyone. Unfortunately my dh doesn't agree and wants me to speak to the Head Of Strings tomorrow and see if we can move the date.😬

Fleurdelise · 26/01/2017 21:17

disorganised good luck with the audition!

NeverEver DD's first exam was school day and the following ones were Saturdays. Didn't even know they were examining at the weekend. So Sunday sounds about right.

Fleurdelise · 26/01/2017 22:03

Update on the high notes on the clarinet, the weird buzzing noise is gone and we can hear beautiful Es and Fs. Thank god! I was ready to chuck the bloody thing out the window. Not sure what did it, the mouthpiece, the reed or if it came naturally, but it all happened at the same time (New mouthpiece and reed) and you should have seen the look of satisfaction on her face! She was so proud when she did it, we even high fived

BeBesideTheSea · 26/01/2017 22:53

That is awesome Fleur. I love it when DS finally gets a tricky bit right

Kutik73 · 27/01/2017 05:56

After I read a couple of comments on having a spare, I decided to save up to buy one when my DS moves to 4/4 or secondary school. I am a natural born worrier like some of you here so having a spare gives me some piece... We have two pianos though this just happened so not as a spare!

disorganisedmummy - I am quite thrilled to learn your DS's challenge. Your DS plays the same instruments as mine, and we thought about applying for JDs this spring too (we decided not to in the end). I hope you can change the date without any fuss (I suppose you can, maybe you can just say he is not available on the given date so no need to mention that he is not ready?). I pray for you and your DS's success"!

Kutik73 · 27/01/2017 06:16

My DS is not very keen on one of his new pieces given by his teacher. It's apparently very popular and I can see why but somehow he finds it quite dull... It's not that he finds it harder hence he is reluctant - actually other pieces are harder. He just doesn't like it....

He is a kind of child who doesn't need to be nagged to practise, but first time ever I have to nag for this piece! I told him just learn what he has to learn then move on to the next one quickly!

But then, his teacher told us at the last lesson he was thinking to polish this up to the performance standard (so it's not just a brief study), and possibly recording.... The teacher knows my DS dislikes this piece but is not aware how much!

Is it too rude to ask the teacher any consideration? Could we suggest that we may come back to the piece later and focus on the other pieces meanwhile (hopefully my DS's taste changes then he may be OK with it later on)? Or should we just stick to it?

Trumpetboysmum · 27/01/2017 06:32

Oh I would definitely mention it to the teacher last year ds hated one of his exam pieces so we changed it

Kutik73 · 27/01/2017 07:47

Thank you for your comment, Trumpetboysmum. DS's piano teacher always let him choose his exam pieces in the past. DS has never taken violin exams so I am not sure how his violin teacher would do though I guess I may have felt more flexible if we were talking about exam pieces.

This piece was given to broaden DS's knowledge and experience in a different style as he had been working on a particular style (period) for quite a while. It seems a well-thought choice for the purpose. I just feel, is it OK to say 'no' in this case... Or am I thinking too much so just tell the teacher? I don't want to offend the teacher's choice...

ACMEinc · 27/01/2017 08:25

Kutik73 if the plan is to try a different style, how about asking for a different piece but still in that style? It sounds like the intention is good, ds just might need to try more than one piece?

Pradaqueen · 27/01/2017 09:03

Kutik, I'd listen to the teacher. Miniprada' teacher allows her to choose up to a point but then reasons with her as to why a particular piece is better - it may be good to try Gershwin/ Mozart etc or the technique of the piece is useful for future studies. A contrast of styles is useful for music festivals and auditions. Maybe check with the teacher on this?

NeverEverAnythingEver · 27/01/2017 09:09

DS sometimes moans about the piano pieces he and his teacher chose together. So far I haven't interfered, but as a piano player myself I feel that there is enough in the piano repertoire that you never need to play anything you don't like.

Kutik73 · 27/01/2017 09:31

Thank you all for your comments.

What Pradaqueen says is exactly why I am hesitating to have a word to the teacher. I know the teacher gave DS this piece as he sees this useful for future studies. But then on the other hand, I feel why DS has to endure when there are enough repertoires to choose from... Surely there will be plenty alternatives DS would feel more excited.

DS usually likes what he is playing, so I have never seen him so reluctant to learn and I fear it may have a negative effect on his enthusiasm. But then, sometimes you have to go through this kind when the intention is good...

I have no problem with DS keeps studying this piece, but I may ask the teacher to choose something else for performance/recording... I cannot see DS puts much effort to polish this up to the standard...

Fleurdelise · 27/01/2017 09:55

DD's piano teacher is allowing DD to choose her pieces up to a point. She had insisted a few months ago for DD to play Bach, eve if DD didn't enjoy it. She said it is good for her development but she did after a while acknowledged DD didn't like it, the teacher made sure she learnt what she was meant to and moved on.

Now with the grade 5 piano pieces she insisted DD needs to learn a certain B piece as it is a style she never played before. Other than that DD chose her other two pieces. Guess what, the B piece is DD's favourite. Thank God, otherwise she'd say to her teacher on and on how much she hates it.

ealingwestmum · 27/01/2017 10:04

Kutik I would also agree with Prada. It's also good discipline for when they get more involved in orchestra/ensemble parts, it won't always be stimulating repertoire but they learn to adapt as part of contributing to a wider group. The teacher will often know how the balance works between A,B & C pieces to showcase DC to the best of their ability. If it were more than the one piece he hated, I would have had a quiet word as there's no point in pulling teeth...

drummersmum · 27/01/2017 10:25

neverever DS has always had his drums exams on Sunday, every single one!
disorganised imho it's always good to flag something like this with the teacher as it may open dialogue. If I were a teacher I would like to know my student hates this certain piece and is struggling to find the motivation to practice ..

Original poster

Wafflenose · 27/01/2017 11:49

Very glad about the Es and Fs Fleur... last week, I thought you were talking about the ones using five and six fingers, plus thumb and register key, but now I wonder if you mean an octave higher than that? (VERY high?) as technique is different and hard reeds definitely necessary.

OP posts:

Fleurdelise · 27/01/2017 12:00

Waffle the E and F at the top of the stave, just before you go above the stave. Is there an E and an F higher than that?!

I think she needed a stronger reed anyway, while she still finds it hard to blow she is happy that she can play the note without the vibrating buzzing noise.

Original poster

Wafflenose · 27/01/2017 13:39

Yep, 1.5 are for total beginners, just to let them get a noise to start off with. I change them over long before Grade 1! Yes, there is a higher E and F. Rara is currently doing the D, E and F of which you speak, with varying success. She was going to play 'Aura Lee' and 'Frankie and Johnny' for the festival, but is so in love with 'Syncho-Rock 2' after about one week that she is considering changing to that. It's in four days... aargh!

OP posts:

Paulweller11 · 27/01/2017 14:07

Thanks superbaghag- will order it x

Flip

1 2 ··· 22 23 24 ··· 30 31

Swipe left for the next trending thread