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Extra-curricular activities

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

May Music Thread

784 replies

Wafflenose · 01/05/2017 15:59

Hello, and welcome to the May thread. It's a public holiday in the UK, but my school is open and I had to work today, which is why I've only just got round to it! This is a place for parents of musicians of ALL levels, and adult learners, to chat about lessons, practice, scales, concerts, exams, and whatever else they'd like to! We have lots of regulars, some occasional posters, and sometimes people who just pop in to ask a question. It's a friendly place.

I have two daughters. Goo is 11 and in her last term at primary school. She's working towards her Grade 8 Flute (some time next year) and playing from the Grade 4 Piano book (currently refusing to take any exams, and putting off the first proper performance!). Rara is 8, may or may not be doing Grade 3 Cello this term, and is approaching Grade 2 Clarinet.

Both of them played the recorder for years, starting as preschoolers. They reached Grades 7 and 3 respectively, but sadly neither has really played since the music festival a few months ago. They are obsessed with their Flute and Clarinet, and really enjoy Piano and Cello. There won't be many opportunities to play the recorder at the secondary school they will attend, so much as I love it, it's probably a good time to quietly drop it. Recorder has given them both lots of opportunities, confidence, reading skills... and festival prizes!

Goo does NCO and South West Music School. Rara isn't that level at all when it comes to music, but is gifted with her hands. Instead of practising the cello and doing her school spellings today, she completed a lovely sewing kit without bothering to look at the instructions, and also made a lovely crafty construction from card and coloured paper. Both girls are keen on drawing and playing computer games. Rara swims and Goo plays sodding netball and dodgeball, which have both been responsible for multiple injuries over the past few months!

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Minimusiciansmama · 18/05/2017 02:59

trumpetboysmum I hope you hear really soon. Good luck to your sir! The AYM we are waiting to hear from is Awards for Young Musicians.

i haven't seen kids with earplugs in orchestra/bands - im not sure how they'd properly listen to themselves or the rest of the orchestra? Maybe I'm missing something though! Xx

stringchild · 18/05/2017 05:16

Fleur/Kutik - yes dd has ear plugs and they are offered but not enforced in her orchestras (full rather than string) although not sure how many use them (those sitting in front of brass and percussion do more often I think). They are not the mega expensive ones that professionals have made (our ENT is v anti those for children. Dd has hearing from problems but doesn't find the earplugs a problem - they cut out sound impact rather than sound itself. Re clarinet - if an ear inf is brewing dd gets a lot of discomfort playing so yes have dd checked out.

Trumpetboysmum · 18/05/2017 06:49

If it hurts after playing it's more likely to be pressure building up ( from an ear infection?) so I would get it checked out. Drs don't always like to treat ear infections etc these days and prefer them to clear up for themselves but at least they will be able to have a proper look. Hope it gets sorted soon

hapsburg · 18/05/2017 06:57

DD sits right in front of the trumpets, so although they usually have screens up she does sometimes use squishy foam ear plugs depending on what they are playing. The only times her ears have hurt when playing on her own though she has had ear infections coming - so would definitely get this checked.

Kutik73 · 18/05/2017 07:14

Thank you all. I ordered ear plugs for kids. But when do you really need to start using them? DS does orchestra only once a week ( apart from occasional NCO) and at the moment they are doing sectionals so I suppose he doesn't need to use them yet? How about NCO? Anyone used ear plugs there when they do full session?

Trumpetboysmum · 18/05/2017 07:25

Ds doesn't use earplugs for nco ( but then he's part of the problem!!) his teacher says it's quite difficult to play with them in and personally doesn't like them but you have reminded me that I need to ask his ent surgeon about it next time we see him

ealingwestmum · 18/05/2017 07:55

Sorry cannot add any knowledge to the ear plugs or devices to mute the violin. My neighbour suffers from hearing problems but this was after many years playing brass for LSO. I've not noticed anyone wearing plugs at any orchestras DD has been part of...yet, but I may not have been that observant!

Fleurdelise · 18/05/2017 08:16

Thanks all, definitely no ear infection as she never gets them and never complains of ear pain, it just started a few days ago straight after playing one of her pieces which has quite a few high notes and after she does that piece she says her ears hurt. I wonder if her blowing technique is wrong and she builds pressure by locking the reed or something, I'll ask her teacher also and if it becomes regular will take her to the gp.

stringchild · 18/05/2017 08:47

Dd uses earplugs at nco but not for the regionals. They have them there on the residentials) for anyone who asks (free!)

Wafflenose · 18/05/2017 09:16

We have never used anything like that.

I had similar problems at that age, and it turned out to be my 12 year old molars rumbling away, just before they came in (I was early). Worth considering. It could also be caused by a tense jaw when playing certain things.

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Kutik73 · 18/05/2017 11:20

Someone claimed that 30-50% of orchestral musicians suffer from hearing problems. But it also means more than half-ish are non-effected. So I guess it depends on genes/environments/pure luck.

I would like to take the safer approach so will teach DS how to protect his ears and ask him to use ear plugs or mute when I feel it's needed (maybe for long hours of full orchestral sessions or again long hours of personal practice). I feel it's my responsibility to inform him properly and have some control of how to prevent possible damage at this stage as he is still too young to make any decent judgement. However, while I was researching, I noticed some people really dislike using any sort of device as they are uncomfortable or remove fun out of playing music or whatever the reaons. I respect personal preference/choice, so once DS is old enough to know what works best for him, I will leave him to decide whether he should continue to use ear plugs and so on.

ealingwestmum · 18/05/2017 12:05

Sounds like a sensible approach Kutik. I've never really thought about it before until you've raised it - I don't think it's been discussed on these threads before (but I may be very wrong)!

Kutik73 · 18/05/2017 12:28

We all know heavy use of practice pedal, mute or ear plugs won't be great as it will lose sensitivities. So I guess we have to work out when and how to use those clever devices. One tip I got from a violinist - use mute for left hand exercises as much as possible, then work on bowing/tone quality without mute as much as possible. Obviously even for left hand exercises, it's better to listen to the full sound, but less important compared with right hand exercises.

ealing, let's hope my 9 years old is also sensible enough to listen to his mum's advice!

drummersmum · 18/05/2017 16:21

As the mum of a percussionist, I’m a dictator when it comes to ear protection. It’s not only loss of hearing, it’s tinnitus you also need to worry about. Living with tinnitus is horrible. DS wears special drummers headphones that feed him the backing track whilst protecting. Sometimes he wears B&Q builders headphones, if he doesn’t need the backing track being fed. Then he also has special in ear plug with different filters which change their potency. He used them for orchestral work and light jazz: www.gear4music.com/Drums-and-Percussion/Alpine-MusicSafe-Classic-Earplugs-White/1OXC
Sometimes he’s the only one using them, but I don’t care!

drummersmum · 18/05/2017 16:22

uses them

LooseAtTheSeams · 18/05/2017 17:15

Yep, DS1 has to wear them, especially for marching band. They check they have them and there are temporary ones for anyone who forgets! I think I got ours on drummers recommendation a while ago.
Would second the comment about tinnitus.

Fleurdelise · 18/05/2017 19:23

Just testing I can post as I downloaded the app. It's a bit rubbish as I can't see what anybody posted while I write.

Fleurdelise · 18/05/2017 19:24

Dd's clarinet teacher also plays the piccolo and she told me once she practises with ear plugs I'll ask her advice also but thank you all I think I'll purchase some and see if she stops complaining.

Minimusiciansmama · 19/05/2017 07:14

Happy little musician here today- I told her this morning that last night her teacher had emailed to say she'd got 96/100 for her G3. She'd spent the whole day absolutely bouncing, before and after her exam. It was her first clarinet exam and she had a wonderful time! She asked if 96 is a distinction Grin

Trumpetboysmum · 19/05/2017 07:24

Mini that's fantastic news ( she can bounce all day today now too!!)

LooseAtTheSeams · 19/05/2017 07:28

Amazing result, Mini! No wonder she's bouncing! CakeStar

drummersmum · 19/05/2017 07:38

mini 👑🏆👍bouncing girl: 🙇🙆

raspberryrippleicecream · 19/05/2017 07:58

Well done mini.

NYO advise earplugs too, when DS has been to Inspire.

Fleurdelise · 19/05/2017 08:06

Mini that's fantastic! Well done!

AlexandraLeaving · 19/05/2017 08:08

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