January Music Thread

[Wafflenose]

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.

paulweller and superbag this is the book DS is using for his marimba g8 piece... I think you wanted g5 standard?

Has anyone heard of Old Violin Workshop in Hampton Hill? Any experience? Or, do you know any other shop you could recommend?

Oh- ah yes gr8 too hard for her at the mo, she's only 7 : )

Thanks drummers.

Now I have to decode what they say about what to bring. I'm sure it's in English but I'll have to read it again a few more times ...

www.telegraph.co.uk/obituaries/2017/01/26/eric-taylor-oriental-music-pioneer-obituary/ That's Eric Taylor who wrote all those AB theory books.

Aww that's sad neverever, I'm getting miniprada to read it later. I know it's not the case but I sort of feel I know him

Oh, he died

We're at piano and I am starting to be so bored of analysing the three festival pieces. Can't wait till it's over.

paulweller I believe what you're looking for is ZIVKOVIC's FUNNY XYLOPHONE book 1 from the Funny Mallets series. The level is intermediate. They are Zivkovic's original compositions. DS used the funny marimba book 1 when he started four mallet technique. Lots of sellers online.

Great thanks

NeverEverAnythingEver, oh, how sad, thank you for posting

I feel like I grew up with Eric Taylor, and am sad that he died. I bet quite a few of us have the pink (and maybe the blue) theory book lying around somewhere, and perhaps the workbooks too.

I have blue, and pink, and even orange.... :)

That is sad news. just think of the numbers of musicians who have used those books!
We had a nice Inset day yesterday. DS2 tried out some cellos and different bows. Discovered he really, really needs a full-sized cello and he adapted almost immediately. Anyway, he had a lot of fun, we had lunch out together, got home, hour to relax and then piano lesson. At the end of the piano lesson it occurred to me to ask if the teacher knew of any good instrument shops a bit further away from London as we were looking for a cello. Turns out she's looking to sell one! She's going to get it ready for DS2 to look at next week. But I think it's good we tried out some others as he now has a much better idea of the sound he wants.

Loose what a great outcome with the cello. I know the feeling of finding an instrument near by, that is how we got the clarinet. We just happened to mention at DD's dance lesson that she is looking to start clarinet lesssons and another mother said she has one barely used at home. It was just the model we were after.

Waffle I just realised, the notes making the funny buzzing noise we're F sharp and G above the stave, I wasn't keeping up.

*were (stupid phone)

Fleur - it's good to have these moments! Funnily enough a similar thing happened to a friend when her Dd wanted to learn clarinet. She happened to mention it to a neighbour who had a perfectly good clarinet sitting in their loft! I think she's on grade 7 now and still using it so it must have been ok. (Allowing for changing reeds etc!)

Anyone's dc are doing g5 violin this term? I feel a bit lonely in our preparation ....

Not violin here, onlymusic, but Grade 1 Clarinet and Grade 7 Flute coming up in March for my two. I have just paid for the flute exam - 80 quid!! I think I need a lie down. I have two pupils doing Grade 1 Clarinet and Grade 3 Flute as well.

Grade 6 oboe here for DD1 this term only - not that she is getting her act together particularly.... 🙁 No particular rush for any exams for DD2. I'm not entirely sure what her teacher is planning next, but the pieces she is playing seem to be a mix of Grades 6 & 7.

No exams here but big completion next week 😮

only DS2 doing drums. No other exams this term.

No exams here

Ha Ha, still no exams here, not sure if they'll drop a piano on us though.
Not literally
Dd at home this weekend, currently doing play alongs, we've had lots of ballads and things like watermelon man, pick up the pieces, and some Jazz standards.
Dh is away so she's playing the instruments not yet allowed in school, but flute is going in next week. Should be fun.