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.

I watched about 15 min drummers she was fantastic but I had to take DD to bed.

Yes DD loved it and loved how many kids there are, 6 Clarinets (two "different ones" don't know what she meant by that), 2 flutes, 3 trombones, 1 bassoon and more, 15 kids in total.

Well miniprada watched the whole masterclass once I figured out that iPads and flash don't work. Doh! She has an audition tomorrow for one of the boarding options so it was a great way to wind down whilst having something interesting to chat about tomorrow. Thank you all for the link and heads up. Nicola rocks!

Ds watched it too and was mesmerised by her!! He had just done 40 mins practice so went to bed dreaming of being a musician!!

I meant to add that he was so inspired by her.

I love the way she kept stopping them and gave her opinion quite a lot, that is DD's pet hate, she hates it when her teacher does it. It was quite inspirational for her to see how she was talking and analisying the music.

Feel a bit left out as still don't read all posts (sorry!) -what do you all watch??? ;) ;) ;)

Fleur different clarinets probably bass clarinet? Glad she enjoyed it.

DSs First Year at the Organ book arrived today, ready for first organ Lesson on Saturday. It looks very grown up, no lovely little recognisable tunes! He is having lessons on the lovely Cathedral organ where he is a Chorister, but still sorting out where he can practice.

only it was a Nicola Benediti masterclass, streamed on Youtube

raspberry I've asked her this morning and she confirmed, bass clarinet. Good luck with the organ lessons.

Thank you raspberryrippleicecream

Fleur - the bass is a lot of fun; DD plays it in some ensembles - but i refuse to buy one as very expensive. I suspect the next one on your list will be an A - i did get DD one of those as I love the sound, and there are some great pieces to play such as the Mozart Clarinet Concerto in A (part of which is on the grade 6 list).

Welcome Kutik73! My dd is also 9. What's your ds instrument?

We were going to do grade 5 theory this term...
Dd's teacher asked if she would like to do grade 5 practical too...or leave it till June... She needs to learn third piece from scratch, polish second piece and to prepare for aural test (musical periods are my main concern but teacher reckons she will be ok with it...). Does it sound reasonable thing to do? To be honest I didn't expect him to suggest this therefore slightly disoriented right now....
As an alternative I think move theory to summer term....
Her teacher thinks she will pass both, but I would rather try to get highest marks possible than to do as much as possible in one go....

How funny Kutik73, my dd also plays violin and piano though her violin is higher standard than piano and I chose both instruments myself
We put piano on hold for the last half an year but I hope to start it again this term, just need to make some arrangements :)

Welcome Kutik73. My DD plays same instruments, from aged 7 (now 13), with violin being her 1st instrument. We did not go down the JD route, so I'm sure they'll be others along to guide you. I think the offering junior departments provide is fantastic, all the musicianship under one roof (individual instrument, voice, composition, chamber music, choir, ensembles etc), which can really accelerate learning, and provided by first rate support.

The only observation I had with your post was that your son is also sporty. The commitment is huge, taking away all potential term time Saturdays - is this something he's prepared to do? I'd perhaps just challenge why he wants to do it, if he's aware of what it entails before getting him prepared. If he has his eyes open, then go for it!

My DD resisted auditioning for JDs, as she enjoyed her other extra curricular too much to sacrifice. Now in Y8, she is behind many of the talented musicians in her school, but does lead a fulfilled school life, where music and sport take up her time in between studies. She has no regrets, but admittedly finding time to practice the hours she did in junior school is a struggle, especially mid-week. One grandparent of a very talented JD boy in her year resents the commitment his GS spends on music, as he has no social life and practices 2 hours per week day evening, many hours more over the weekend...but the boy wants to ultimately be a doctor. He is of a really high standard though! Grandfather is really negative towards his daughter when we see him at concerts, always embarrassing when the compliments are flying in and he mutters the poor boy has no choice. Ouch.

Not trying to put you off! Just that the aspirations can be so changeable at 9 years, though there are many children on this thread that know music is their thing from year dot and have great self discipline to achieve their goals. Good luck!

As a total new comer, I think I should explain our situation briefly. My DS(9) is known as a good athlete. His dad is a superman and does all kind of sports so he does lots of active things with his dad during holidays and at weekends. Sports always came first and music was regarded as a nicely casual hobby. However, at the beginning of the summer term last year, he started telling me his real passion was music so would like to make more time for music making. Then, he did Grade 5 piano in the term and passed with distinction, did NCO audition and Grade 5 theory last term. And now, he is talking about JD... Things changed and moved so quickly, I am still not used to this new DS... But I am slowly coming to realise that I need to educate myself a bit more in the area he feels so passionately so that I can give him right support. I really need a reality check and appreciate any advice/views from you wise people here...

Ah, then maybe he does know his own mind and perhaps dad will have to take a step back . Sounds like a talented young man!

Thank you for your lovely notes, only and ealing. Yes, I AM worried about the commitments at JDs and am aware of the changeable mind of 9 years old... He has his very favourite activity on Saturdays - he has been doing it since he was 3! But he is saying he will give it up if he managed to get in a JD... I am not sure how much to believe what he is saying really. Well, he like to make his violin as his 1st study yet he hasn't done any exam. So I am not sure if he has any chance to get in though.

Kutik73, is he thinking about junior department (am I right in thinking that it starts at 11yo?) or smth like primary department in RAM?
I guess we all think at times if it is serious or not, why to spend so much time on music if it is never going to be their profession, etc.
But basically what is it that scares you the most if he gets in? I think it is a wonderful thing to do and twice as wonderful as it comes from him and not from you

Welcome Kutik your DS sounds like a talented little boy who knows what he wants so I would follow his lead. No experience with JD but I don't think they want exams but a certain level of playing.

Only it is achievable (the practical) but I wouldn't rush it, is she ready for theory without a stretch? I would do the exam that she is prepared for most this term and take a bit longer with the other one to have more time to be 100% prepared. But that is what I'd do, I don't think there is a right or wrong answer.

stringchild no instrument purchase for a while but I'll keep it in mind.

Kutik73: wellcome to the thread. Similar to Only(and Fleur), I also have a 9 yrs old(although a girl). Love to hear his commitment. I also have a very strong headed (however rather stubborn) child too who could do well if she puts work(who couldnt). She also plays piano and violin. Piano is more asvanced(just had grade 5 however low merit done last term) than violin at the moment mainly because she started piano earlier(around at 4.5 for piano and 7 for violin). We started piano only because I needed to have childcare covered so 1.5hrs singing, playing for fun with 2 other girls(our next door) a week for a year. We started violin because half of the class wanted to do it when the school introduced music lessons and because it started feeling lonely with piano by herself. Our new violin teacher said today 2 shocked news: violin grade 5 exam this term and her new violin is too big for her(4/4).

And the practise commitment is getting me, I dont know what I am doing(or not doing).

ealingwestmum - my husband is having a hard time to accept DS's new interest in music...

onlymusic - I think most JDs are open to a child as young as 8 years old. I may be wrong. My DS knows a boy who is in one and I suspect the idea of trying for JD came from the influence of the boy...

Fleurdelise - I would like to follow his lead but I am uncertain how much he really understand what he is talking about....

Greenleave - your DD sounds like sort of similar to my DS (instruments and playing standard). Have you thought about JD for her? I just cannot see my DS as a JD material, but I may be just comparing to those who are unbelievably talented (the boy we know got in a JD with both piano and violin as his st study and he is extremely gifted). Can you see yours as a good candidate? I don't know why my DS suddenly started believing JD is the way to go.

Greenleave, by the way, my DS is not a small boy (nearly 140cm), and his violin is 3/4. We got it before summer and was told he would be fine with it next couple of years.