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Extra-curricular activities

Find advice on the best extra curricular activities in secondary schools and primary schools here.

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:
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Pradaqueen · 10/01/2017 10:04

Beavers/Cubs/scouts depending on age. I assume you are not from the UK only?

Pradaqueen · 10/01/2017 10:05

Gosh Green- videos of practice? That is a seriously interested teacher!!

Original poster
Wafflenose · 10/01/2017 10:19

Rara goes to Brownies, and loves it! I have been along to help, and am halfway through doing the Musician badge with all of them. Her pack seems to go out and about a lot - they've been canoeing, visited the fire station, a big park for games, and Tesco for the Farm to Fork tour, amongst other things.

OP posts:
LooseAtTheSeams · 10/01/2017 10:19

Good job no one asks to see videos of anyone in this house practising!!
My teacher has pointed out that I hold my breath when I play one of my pieces. Apparently, it's not uncommon! I now have to include breathing in my piano practice!

Fleurdelise · 10/01/2017 10:22

Our teacher also asks for recordings but not to be emailed, she wants to see how she practises.

Green DD is also doing one of the Beethoven sonatinas, one movement for the festival also, it would be interesting to know which one is your DD doing and how will she find it. Smile

onlymusic · 10/01/2017 10:39

thank you Prada, will investigate, and yep, my childhood was away from British realities :)
Waffle, from what I have heard our Brownies sounded pretty much similar-a lot of going out, campings, yesterday they have been playing a lot of games, just amazing... Not sure why I didn't send her there before...ah, I know, she had piano on that day! I knew music lessons would not make her any good :)))

raspberryrippleicecream · 10/01/2017 10:42

Piano teacher encourages recordings, but for DS to listen to himself. She also likes duets videod so they can see how they are playing together.

Greenleave · 10/01/2017 13:04

I was told to do video recording during the week since last term and we used whatsapp. The thing is I dont always do what I was asked, he asked for twice a week now and I am not too sure if we could do it. He is a great passionate teacher, we are very lucky to have him, he has been with us for 3 yrs. He has more belief to my daughter in terms of her piano playing than I do and he always says she can do it. He tells us items we should look at between the lessons and what is expected in the next lesson. Emails exchanges have been great mainly because I dont present in the lessons. His compliment on her results, achievement has been (very) modest and it suits me well.

NeverEverAnythingEver · 10/01/2017 13:49

Loose You have to breath during piano playing or you'll asphyxiate when you play the Hammerklavier. Grin

(I'm going to check if I hold my breath next time I play ...)

Fleurdelise · 10/01/2017 16:51

Today is DD's first day joining the wind band at the local school of music. I hope she loves it, very nice people and lots of different instruments.

Pradaqueen · 10/01/2017 16:58

Green - well he sounds just fab! Yes we also record here to listen back to how the audience hears it but not for the teachers to critique.

Only - brownies is great but where I live, you need a name down from birth it's so over subscribed!!

Pradaqueen · 10/01/2017 17:21

I am quite new to this Facebook thing.., so for NICOLA Benedetti later, will it just appear on my tablet if I click that linked posted on page 3 of this thread or do I need to do something else?

drummersmum · 10/01/2017 17:34

prada I'm not on fb either I got the link from Twitter. You can always try.
loose DS had to work on his breathing during drumming when he reached g5. Good luck! I keep my practice, currently on grade 0.

DS is back to school tomorrow. I am in awe of him today, 4 whole hours at the piano for classical, jazz and transcribing and now off to drums lesson! Bless the holidays!

gilly so happy your DD is doing so well in her school. It was so right letting her go there :)

onlymusic · 10/01/2017 19:01

Oh, really Prada??? Didn't realise it could be that popular, not surprised though. Dd's TA is organising it, so we may be just lucky...

LooseAtTheSeams · 10/01/2017 19:50

Breathing is definitely an issue! It turns out the head of the piano department once fainted off the piano stool because she held her breath for too long! My teacher now has a theory that the correct breathing can solve everything.
I love hearing what all the dcs are up to and wish Minifleur lots of happiness with her new group. DS2 staggered in with his cello after school and informed me he's starting grade 5. It turns out the piece he played in the Christmas concert was grade 5 level so his teacher reckons he should focus on that rather than grade 4 - although it's really going to take quite a while to cover everything. He's going to try out for the next string ensemble up on Saturday. Getting a bit more serious now!

MrsWombat · 10/01/2017 19:59

DS did Beavers and is now a Cub. One of the things that got him through his grade 1 clarinet exam practice was the possibility of getting his level 1 musicians scout badge. Grin Scouting/Guiding/Army type stuff are amazing things for children to do. It's all the fun things of school and none of the boring bits!

DS had his first clarinet lesson today since the Christmas break. No news on his grade 1 results yet, but his teacher has given him 3 pieces from grade 2 to learn. I'm hoping that's a good sign! Does anyone know when the current 2014-2017 syllabus ends? I thought it might be the end of the school year in the summer, but maybe it's the autumn term instead?

LooseAtTheSeams · 10/01/2017 20:00

Oh and delighted to hear you're still playing Drummersmum - that's excellent news!

raspberryrippleicecream · 10/01/2017 20:04

Looking forward to hearing about wind and Fleur.

Fleurdelise · 10/01/2017 21:10

Anybody else watching? She's amazing isn't she? Shock

Loose good luck with grade 5, it does suddenly feel serious doesn't it?

DD went in to join the wind band very reluctant and came out skipping with happiness. She loves it and she can't wait to go again. I am so happy for her as I feel lately music has become a chore and "must do every day" while forgetting the reason behind it. I do get it why, the festival and exams, one after the other but my final aim is enjoyment so the wind band will help with that.

Fleurdelise · 10/01/2017 21:16

MrsWombat the syllabus is valid for the year it ends in terms, so all the three 2017 exam sessions, and it overlaps for one term at the launch of the new syllabus, so it will still be valid in spring 2018.

drummersmum · 10/01/2017 21:20

Thanks loose. You're my role model. I practice when the piano is free & I am free. The two things don't always happen together.Now that DS I going back to school I hope to have more of a chance!

Greenleave · 10/01/2017 21:21

Fleur, here is the book where the pieces were picked. Glad to hear she loved her first rehearsal, we love our Orchestra too (and did I say especially the biscuits for the break).

January Music Thread
Fleurdelise · 10/01/2017 22:05

Green if this is the Beethoven sonatina then DD is doing the second movement (Romance) for the festival. I think I posted her video playing the first movement a while ago, it is beautiful. Hope your DD enjoys it.

January Music Thread
drummersmum · 10/01/2017 22:21

Fleur how great that she enjoyed the ensemble.

drummersmum · 10/01/2017 22:22

I missed Nicola. Life got in the way. As it does.