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Extra-curricular activities

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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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Paulweller11 · 05/05/2017 21:13

So I was saying no exams......well gr 3 drums for little percussionist June 1st- the only exam she'll take.... a little sooner than I'd like, but she knows the songs, so should be fine - hopefully!

onlymusic · 05/05/2017 21:51

Greenleave, just looked at Chopin Nocturne in C# minor on youtube-it is beautiful! Is it grade 6? I can see teacher's point though - it is almost like you hear a certain story behind it, and perhaps sad one too.... I had a wish - dd playing two pieces - Bach's double violin concerto and main theme from Schindler's list, she has done first one but I cannot see her playing second one yet, as it is such a story behind it! When she learns smth I try to make some story so that she can catch the mood of the piece but with Schindler's list - it should be smth really grand sad (she probably does not have the necessary technique for that too but it is a different matter :)))

On a piano front-our new Russian teacher said that we are not playing anything serious till her hands are fixed -so everything we do is working on her hands, surprisingly it is getting better, slowly but surely. We are basically working on this sort of things+wrists :)

May Music Thread
onlymusic · 05/05/2017 21:58

Helenluvsrob, oh, so sorry to hear about your parents.... Both of my parents were gone before my dc started music lessons and I feel so sad that they cannot be proud of dc and never knew that dc turned out to be musical....Esp that both children play violin which was totally my very stupid idea and smth totally non-orthodox for my family Grin

onlymusic · 05/05/2017 22:08

Talking about non-musical parents and VERY musical children....

Dd was practicing Bach's double violin today. All of a sudden she started to play the piece in a different key. Just like that - absolutely no effort and not a single muscle moved in her face.... I noticed only because the original key sounded more pitchy and she played it for few times before....

And how we poor non musical parents are supposed to get smth like that??

onlymusic · 06/05/2017 00:53

drummersmum, are there any chances to see Master Drummers Mozart performance? :)

Fleurdelise how beautifully you described the process of polishing a piece....

ealingwestmum interesting comment about harsh marking.... Just to remind-dd got her first merit for the spring exam. Even though I agree that she was not really distinction ready this time the examiner seemed to be very.... difficult one. One of the dd's teacher students failed grade 5 exam- unbelievable! I have no doubts that it has nothing to do with the teacher, but to fail grade 5?? Examiner seemed to be mad... But I remember our accompanist was saying - I recognise the examiner's face, he is so and so and he is a Dr (obviously not a medical Dr :)), so he may be harsh on marking. And it turned out to be true....

onlymusic · 06/05/2017 01:03

Just wanted to say MomOfTwoGirls2-Suzuki seems to have such a nice repertoire.... All the best violin pieces can be found there. Last year dd played Suzuki piece during festival, we just discussed the plans for this year and the piece our teacher suggested is also included in Suzuki program....

Festivals... Out of interest ladies, what are the accompanist's fees you usually pay? It is around 40-50 in our case-performance+2-3 rehearsals

onlymusic · 06/05/2017 01:07

Paulweller11 cannot stop laughing at this as she's the second born, I'm not too fussed either.
It is so true! Cannot believe how different is my attitude towards my ds6' learning..... It is just like - whatever, you are not my favorite toy Grin. Surprisingly second borns are doing pretty well even with the minimum input, aren't they?

onlymusic · 06/05/2017 01:15

Talking about JDs.... Does anyone have a child in RAM JD?

I don't suppose anyone remembers but I was once wondering if it is possible to get an opinion about child's playing/abilities without actually enrolling into JD or music school. So don't know what was with me today but I had quite a spontaneous idea to contact Menuhin school and ask if they do anything of that kind, and they do. They organise smth like play day where children are coming and everyone can have 20 mins with one of the tutors and a feedback after.

onlymusic · 06/05/2017 01:25

violinandpiano, how interesting.... I know someone who easily got to NCO (violin) but failed one of the JDs twice. Saying that this particular JD is one of the two most popular JDs (among parents Grin). This child was accepted in one of the two remaining JDs Grin but parents declined.
This is all in London

onlymusic · 06/05/2017 01:36

Kutik73 I think you described JD very well! However, this is the main problem-how many non-musical parents know if their dc have a good teaching? How many times I have read on MN - trust your teacher! But the truth is -how do we know if we could trust a teacher if it is our first child/ first instrument/ first year of lessons? JD in a way is a some guarantee of a good teaching (or is it not??). I mean private lessons can be tailored to the needs of a particular child, but can parent judge if those lessons any good?

onlymusic · 06/05/2017 01:37

Phew... fully updated now.....

Kutik73 · 06/05/2017 03:01

only, I like your marathon posts. Here are my marathon replies. Grin

Chopin Nocturne in C# minor is a G7 piece. It's so beautiful but agree that you need maturity to understand the sentiment. DS is apparently going to have a go as part of Chopin study he has been doing but he may be too young, we will see.

to get an opinion about child's playing/abilities without actually enrolling into JD or music school
You can arrange a consultation lesson with almost all the music schools/JDs. The play day at Menuhin sounds a perfect opportunity for the purpose. I know a few DCs who are trying to get in Menuhin. They all said to me how beautiful the school/location was. Just visiting the school itself sounds fun - and the 20 mins with the tutors and a feedback are such a bonus?!

this is the main problem-how many non-musical parents know if their dc have a good teaching?
Therefore, JD serves well for those who has no clue like me, in the same way as a naive traveller goes to a packaged holiday! I don't think JD guarantees a good teaching as building a good teacher/pupil relationship is so personal. But yes, you would feel a bit safer and it would be less likely to be a bad experience. I just wanted to point out that you can do what JD does without going there as long as you know what you are doing, and in fact, if you do well, it could be a better option as you can work on precisely for your DC's needs. If you are in the business (teacher or pro performer and so on), it may be much easier, but I also met a few non-musical parents who has been doing/did successfully. You just need a total dedication though.

It was such an eye opener to me as I didn't think it's possible. Luckily we live very close to JD my DS is going, and also due to DS's personality, JD is a perfect option for us (for now at least). But I know some people have to travel a long way and some may give up because of the inconvenience. So I just wanted to share the view in case it helps others to know what is achievable without going.

Pradaqueen · 06/05/2017 06:35

@violinandpiano re: NCO pieces - how old is your little one and what level currently? Then we should be able to help you with a piece Smile

violinandpiano · 06/05/2017 07:24

Pradaqueen, thanks. My DD is 9. I have no idea about her level. We started violin with a Suzuki teacher, last summer term she played vavidle A minor 1st & 3rd movements, Bach double etc. the teacher said she has been solid grade 6. But from last Sept we went to a JD, we started grade 6 scales and sight reading and some pieces like Hungarian dance, Air varie, which are also about grade 6 level. But the teacher has talked with us about grade 7 exam.

Only, I only heard lots of DC try both and they get offer from both JDs. We did not compare them which is better and just choose one which is convenient for us. Maybe next year we can try another one to see if DD can get in as well.

violinandpiano · 06/05/2017 07:29

Pradaqueen, sorry I need clarify my DD's birthday is just last week, so she will apply NCO under 10 not under 11.

Paulweller11 · 06/05/2017 08:08

Onlymusic- it's so true, and yes the second born does surprisingly well without all the extra input. I also think that she picks up the theory side a whole lot quicker than her sister, even though their both fairly bright.
2nd borns get a more relaxed parenting don't they- you're more relaxed as a parent second time round x

Kutik73 · 06/05/2017 10:20

pianoandviolin, how about Accolay concerto? Or Meditation from the opera Thais? I think both are beautiful and a nicely showstopper. I'm sorry I'm not an expert so my knowledge is rather limited! Hopefully someone who is more experienced and knowledgeable can give you more alternatives.

Also..., are you unhappy with your JD? I just wonder why you may think of your DD trying another JD next year just after one or two years of joining the current one. DS is starting from this Sep so I feel slightly concerned!

Icouldbeknitting · 06/05/2017 10:39

Things I never expected as a parent number 3,219 - drafting my child's biography for a concert programme. The last time I did it I found it easier because there were seven of them on the programme so space was limited. This time DS is The Soloist. DH is OTT Proud Parent while DS would write (name) has been playing (instrument) for (some) years and be done so I get to start it off and then watch one of them try to put things in while the other is crossing things off.

Google has once again come to my rescue.

Pradaqueen · 06/05/2017 12:21

Hi @pianoandviolin what style of playing does she like? Mine likes fast Bowing like Vivaldi so we've chosen concerto pieces by him in the past. What they are looking for in the audition is solid sight reading skills and a passion for playing. I would get her to listen to the current G6&7 pieces on line and then see what she likes the sound of and then confer with the teacher. It's fine to play a graded piece in the audition as long as it is done really well regardless of level. The competition is fierce though even for u10!

Greenleave · 06/05/2017 12:36

Wow Icould!! When is the concert?

Only: love your "marathon", love your sharing too.

Violinandpiano, Kutik, Only: your children play violin above g5, how much practice do you do on average and how do you structure your practice section? Do you need to be there? For violin, every practice, I still need to be there for it to have any progress.

For busy children's parents, how do you remember your children activities, home work. I need to go back to my plan on what day to fo what as I feel I am loosing track. Each week time flies so fast and I feel like we are chasing tail end (Eg. last week we missed doing homework). Violin lesson was rescheduled (because we werent well) to tomorrow although we havent done any practice since last Sunday. My new teacher is very strict in term of some small practice has to happen daily. We were told off badly last week(school trip hence no practice). I must say I like her though.

LooseAtTheSeams · 06/05/2017 12:41

Green this week has been a disaster - I've been sending messages about school etc at the last moment and winging it! I'm out at a training event tomorrow, which is not helping!
However, what usually works if I fill it in properly is the wall planner in the kitchen and if something isn't on there it doesn't exist!

Greenleave · 06/05/2017 12:45

Hahahaha, Loose, I like "smth isnt there it doesnt exist"!:). I learnt to have a list from here last year, for some reason since beginning of this year I dropped. I need to start doing it. The good thing is someone cant blame me because in the past I didnt even know what day was homework and she has been pretty good in term of knowing her weekly schedule from beginning primary. Its just so much more now.

Icouldbeknitting · 06/05/2017 13:04

It's the wall planner in the kitchen for us too. If it's not written on there then it's not happening. Electronic shared calendars are all very well but I can't look at those while I'm washing the dishes. We go through the weekend's activities together on Friday so I can see who is home when and where I can fit meals in. At 17 DS is in control of his homework so I don't have to bother about that but we're now working around driving lessons and visits to the gym.

foundoutyet · 06/05/2017 13:38

3 children=5 activities=4 hours driving (no activity further away than 30 min)

raspberryrippleicecream · 06/05/2017 14:01

Wall planner for us too.

However I have never, ever managed to train DH in the art of reading it!

Icould DS2 was a soloist at a couple of events last year, the programmes with their Biography are very special. Enjoy!

It'll be a long time til we have another (if ever), as the solos were specifically treble Chorister solos.

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