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 ··· 39 40

Original poster

March Music Thread

999 replies

Wafflenose · 01/03/2017 07:36

Here you are - a new thread for March! I can't believe we are now up to 700+ posts each month. Thank you all.

I am Waffle, Mum to two girls. I have Goo (11), short for Kajagoogoo, which is 'short' for Kaj, which means... well, that would be telling! Her younger sister is Rara (8) - Rara is what she used to call herself when she was learning to speak. Goo plays the flute, recorder and piano. Rara plays the cello, recorder and clarinet. We have Grade 7 Flute and Grade 1 Clarinet booked for the end of this month. I think we might have Grade 3 Cello and Grade 4 Piano coming up next term. Goo is off to secondary in a few months, and I really don't know if she will ever manage to fit in her last couple of recorder exams. I'm all for saving money though.

I will try my best to read everything and follow this month. Last month's thread moved so fast!!

OP posts:

Thread gallery

Fleurdelise · 16/03/2017 22:36

Green I really don't think it's you, by how you describe your dd I can't imagine she is not capable to grasp something sooner or later.

I just think the teacher has no clue how to teach her what she wants and no patience. It isn't usual for me to say stuff like that about somebody I haven't met but that is how it looks from here.

onlymusic · 16/03/2017 23:19

Green, I don't think you will make it work-you will not be able to change this teacher. If it is not an English teacher, it may as well be a norm of communication in the country she/he is from. She/he may not even realise that it sounds rude. I totally agree-it is expensive to look for a new teacher money/time wise but if you are not happy now (everyone is trying hard at the beginning of new relationships) it will only get worse later

onlymusic · 16/03/2017 23:35

Talking about technique... Yes, I agree with the above opinions that it is very important, learning for life, etc. However, I belive that teaching should be student oriented and not Russian/English/etc method oriented. For example my dd is a type of student who would not be able to spend months on polishing technique when young. Therefore there was no reason for holding her back in her learning. Technique is gradually improving, it is still not ideal but it is not neglected either. Ds on the other hand more compliant and tries his best. So, polishing techique would work with him. I think good teacher should take into account student's individuality and move from there.

Trumpetboysmum · 17/03/2017 06:30

Only I think you are right good teaching should definitely match the student. Ds loves to challenge himself and play pieces that have inspired him and will often will himself to learn them ( even if in theory at least he shouldn't be able to play them yet) luckily both his trumpet and piano teacher recognise this and go with it!! Though his trumpet teacher especially also does lots of work on technique, but green when they are young , especially like your dd it can take time. I'm sure your dd will get it but I would think she needs someone who supports and encourages , not get frustrated. We want them to enjoy their music making after all
Ds's audition went well yesterday so now we just wait I'm just pleased it was a positive experience

NeverEverAnythingEver · 17/03/2017 07:31

only I agree with you. It's unproductive being dogmatic and trying to squeeze someone into your mould.

Fleurdelise · 17/03/2017 09:42

I agree too only I think there needs to be a balance between technique and progress, stopping all progress to cover a certain technique for ages wouldn't go down well in our books at the age of 9. But as she's maturing I can see more and more technique work being assigned without affecting the progress.

Original poster

Wafflenose · 17/03/2017 10:08

Morning all. Wow, this thread is getting full... I hope we don't reach 1000 posts before the end of the month, but things are heading that way.

Goo just had her top braces adjusted, including a bracket having to be moved, 12 days before her flute exam. They left the bottom as it was. I asked them not to hurt her too much! Anyway, she is making faster progress than they expected, so she now has approximately 12 months left to go. She has already learned a piece that she desperately wants to play for her Grade 8 exam, but it's such an important exam that we have all agreed to wait until the braces are off. So hopefully the summer term of Year 7, and also hopefully with a lovely new flute. I will have to apply for help with that though!

Rara's exam is in 10 days, although with ABRSM, so Goo will most likely get her result first! Rara is practising well, but I need to pull her rhythm in the C piece apart. At the moment, it is likely to cost her a distinction. Of course, if she feels wobbly on the day or doesn't play too well, a pass will be welcome, and absolutely fine. But I can't send her in there playing it wrong!!

OP posts:

Icouldbeknitting · 17/03/2017 10:21

Morning Waffle. I come here for a bit of distraction as I'm feeling a bit of musical stress at the moment. It doesn't seem to affect DS at all because he wanders along blissfully unaware of the big picture (or so it seems). I think this is because he's not much of a planner and just looks at the next thing coming up. I am a planner and I can see the whole line of Things bunching up in front of us. I'm starting to have nightmares that I've forgotten a weekend residential - it's a sign that I don't feel that I have a grip on things. I come here and then think well at least I don't have two grade exams on the horizon so it could be worse.

DS will be racing off to band tonight as someone is bringing a couple of instruments for him to test drive. I hope that at least one of them proves to be the thing of his dreams because it feels as if he's been looking at instruments for months. That's something else that I'm not in control of.

Original poster

Wafflenose · 17/03/2017 10:42

I know the feeling... mine just bobble along from day to day, don't really understand the big picture and what's coming up when. They have just done a 2-week sponsored practice thing with school, which I hoped would instill good habits, but it hasn't been entirely successful. Rara enjoys practising, but always says "I'll do it later!". Goo loves playing (especially in ensembles) but always leaves her practice until the very last moment (usually 8.30 pm) and then moans that she's tired! Priorities!!

OP posts:

se22mother · 17/03/2017 10:49

Waffle I suspect the c piece cost dd a distinction in the same grade of sane instrument as Rara (she scored 126) so if there is time for that then that's a good plan. Dd knows she mangled the c piece and is content with her score.

Original poster

Wafflenose · 17/03/2017 10:52

Yep, it probably is! She liked one of the other C pieces, but is so tiny that she couldn't do some of the slurred low notes smoothly. We're showing off her low notes elsewhere, so hopefully all should be fine. Can you remind me how old your DD is, and how far along? (I have a feeling she's 9, but do tend to lose track!)

OP posts:

se22mother · 17/03/2017 11:05

Hi waffle she is 8, tiny summer born year 4.The c piece was out of sync. Teacher and accompanist both said a and b pieces were very well played. She is now practicing the high notes in Paul Harris book and the pieces around page 40-42. Most of the time the high notes now sound good, but on occasion when very tired she struggles to get them at all. She took the exam 3 weeks ago.

Original poster

Wafflenose · 17/03/2017 11:18

Aww I thought they were a similar age. Rara is a short, summer born Year 4 as well. I think she's around 128 cm, and she weighs 3 stone 10 pounds! I thought it might be Out of Sync - same here!! She's done high D, E, F, F sharp, G, and a tiny bit of B and C, although not for a while.

OP posts:

se22mother · 17/03/2017 11:27

Waffle they sound so similar! Dd has only just started playing on a 1/2 size violin this term

Original poster

Wafflenose · 17/03/2017 11:30

LOL Rara got her half size cello about a month ago, and it's a bit too big. I expect you're about to tell me that your DD is also doing Grade 3 strings next term?!

OP posts:

NeverEverAnythingEver · 17/03/2017 11:37

We have a recital tomorrow and there will be rehearsals for 2 players for 3 instrument solo and 1 ensemble involving only 1 player. I have written out a time line of who is to be where when and am exhausted already.

se22mother · 17/03/2017 11:41

Waffle-so close , she is taking G3 this term

Fleurdelise · 17/03/2017 12:23

Waffle which pieces is she doing again? Dd found the c piece the hardest in grade 1. She couldn't get the speed and rhythm, got there in the end but out of the three that needed more work.

Mendingfences · 17/03/2017 12:59

I agree with everyone about there needs to be some adjustment to the student from the teacher. After all part of the benefit of individual lessons is that you can focus on the individual. DD2's flute teacher is a total wonder, he gets brilliant things out of her, whilst accepting she has an above average need for control (combination of stubbornness and anxiety about not knowing whats going on). Her teacher manages to 'steer the ship' whilst letting her set the course somewhat, so for example she turned up to yesterdays lesson having worked on one of the 'concert' pieces at the back of her book and came out of her lesson with practice and learning goals for that piece. He was also un-phased when she spent some time 'being a chicken' in the run up to a concert...... She did go on to perform brilliantly in said concert even if she did spend a chunk of it standing on one leg....

DD1 came out of her violin lesson yesterday happy (although exhausted!) so all good there

violinandpiano · 17/03/2017 13:10

I couldn't catch up. But I saw so many good news. Well done every little ones.
I still remember my DD failed the maestros orchestra audition. We take festivals and have never got prize. Too many brilliant DC there.

violinandpiano · 17/03/2017 13:29

She failed the marsrtos audition at early of May but got in JD at the end of May. So I think local orchestra need audition your DC exact level but JD only care potential.

Original poster

Wafflenose · 17/03/2017 13:45

Fleur Minuet, Synco-Rock and Out of Sync. This makes a nice change, as most of my pupils have done El Cortejo and the oh-so-boring Ar Hyd y Nos (perfectly pleasant, but three of the four phrases are the same, so not much to get their teeth into there). Her scales are good, sight reading OK when she remembers to look at the key signature, and aural new but good. Her BFF who's been learning for a year is doing Minuet, Syncho-Rock and El Cortejo. Her scales aren't as hot, but everything else is good and I think she will get the higher mark.

OP posts:

Fleurdelise · 17/03/2017 17:40

Waffle dd had issues with El Cortejo, she got it right in the end but it was a pain. She kept playing too fast and then slow down and the speed up again. We've sorted it by getting her to play with the cd.

She's finished learning Mr Benn but at the speed of a slug. Lol

Kutik73 · 17/03/2017 20:35

Just to update our jd challenge. Today ds had his first audition at a jd and he was offered a place with scholarship straight after the audition. I was told that it was the most fabulous audition. I am still in shock and feel like I'm having a dream. Thank you for wishing luck and sending the good vibes for us. It seems the good vibes certainly reached us.

Greenleave · 17/03/2017 20:58

Oh Kutik, that was wonderful news, many congratulations, very well done miniKutik!

Flip

1 2 ··· 22 23 24 ··· 39 40