July Music Thread

[Wafflenose]

I was celebrating the end of a VERY busy week with a glass of and realised it's now just past midnight, and therefore July! Have a new thread!

The music threads are for ALL musicians, young and old, beginners and advanced, and every style of music!

I have two DDs, Goo (11) who is currently stropping and eye-rolling her way through her last few weeks at primary school, and Rara (9) who is funny and creative. Goo is working towards Grade 8 Flute, and has been playing the piano for just over a year. She is refusing to take any exams or perform on it though. Rara has her Grade 3 Cello exam coming up soon, and is just moving beyond Grade 2 Clarinet now. Both played the recorder from age 3/4 and got to a really good level, but other than helping out with my school groups, they don't really play any more - they are particularly obsessed with the flute and clarinet.

I am a teacher of woodwind - currently about 80 recorder pupils (many group taught) in two schools, plus two private flute pupils and six private clarinet pupils.

If she doesn't want to, that's fine. I would very much like to hear her, though! Videos can be deleted anytime

Thesecond: hope you are getting better soon!

And a big congratulations for Rara on distinction. (Mine isnt sensitive, a fail wont make her cry, I hope she cares more).

I am on my train home, cant wait for this weekend. Best of luck to everyone on the up coming exam and have a great weekend!

Was wondering the same about theory results... Any news, anyone?

I've recovered enough to relay DS1's attempt to frighten the wits out of me. Yesterday he had his Japanese lesson. Sets off and we assume all's well until I get an email from the teacher wondering what had happened - no DS1. I try to call him, no answer. I call teacher, still no sign. Start to panic and then DS1 arrives home. Turns out he got the connecting train at Clapham Junction but fell asleep as he was so tired with all the excitement of Wimbledon - and missed his stop. If a concerned passenger hadn't woken him up (he's not sure where!) he'd probably have ended up in Weymouth! With no phone and no cash on him.
I was too relieved to see him to yell at him about not having his phone!

Omg loose!!!!!!! I feel for you!!!

Loose, I'm so pleased his homing instinct kicked in before he got into any danger. I can't imagine how you survived that sick feeling.

I have also many clips to get through, but so far, Alexander, The Boy was a joy to watch, he has such stylistic play. And his younger self made me laugh with his brilliant commentary

I will get through all next week, it's also being saved as a treat allowance to take 5...

Merit for Grade 5 theory for DD2! We would have taken a pass given that she was wresting with the Grade 7 bassoon two weeks after and wasn't able to do as much prep as she should have done, so the merit is a very welcome bonus! DD2 said "I'm not happy - I'm ecstatic!"

Well done on the theory results

2ndSopranos good luck in your audition. My choir is reauditioning everyone next spring

Popping in to say hi. What lovely results we have rolling in. Well done all!

Loose ! Argh. That reminds me of when dd2 went happily off on the train aged 9 ( no phone) assuming her sister was further up, for me to turn as the train pulled out , to see dd1 running up the station steps 😂 . Dd1 and I panicked terribly and got on the next ( local) train. Dd2 meanwhile did as she knew and travelled the 5 or so stops to get off for piano and asked the ticket lady to ring me !

I nowhave no children at school (yay!). The last grade 8 result ( clarinet dd2) is awaited. She has been gently persuaded that grade 8 piano isn't essential for her future as she'd never have managed with her A levels and that as well.

We have a couple of big services and concerts at cathedral soon as the director of music is retiring. Including all 3 kids and dh singing in a performance of spem in allium which will be amazing !

2nd and double well done for theory !!! helen hello!
alexandra aw it doesn't get easier does it?

sorry for the er instead of dra Alex. I blame autocorrect. Again.

Great results coming in including theory...good luck on that audition 2nd

I'm glad I'm not the only one that feels the house is empty in music residential season.

DS and many young friends sang at a cool venue tonight

Very excited for Rara, with her sensitivity I hope this brilliant result will help her with self confidence!

Also got grade 5 theory result - 94%! Waffle, I remember you said to me that Goo got merit for grade 3 and then distinction for grade 5 - and it may the case with us - are you a future teller? Anyway, I feel so relieved now, all done and dusted and I can totally relax now

On a different note - we have videoed our last violin lesson and it made such a huge difference. Dd's teacher played a new piece and then played it bar by bar with the explanations. It was so much easier to practice having this reference....

Noteventhebestdrummer, wow! Have you been there too? I have only been there once but the venue is fantastic!

OMG 😲 Loose I know the feeling but it is indeed horrendous! Dd wants to start walking to school with a friend from September and I am getting shivers thinking about it.

Well done for all the theory results!

Today I am giving notice to our clarinet teacher and I feel so bad...

Fleur you won't be the first person to change teacher, or the last, I'm sure. I'm certain that the teacher will understand why. (Although I say this with DD1 having had the same oboe teacher since the beginning - 6 years, and the only change we have had was a hand-off from that teacher to the bassoon specialist 2 years ago.)

With DD2 I should have said.

Fleur I gave notice to the clarinet teacher today (due to issues mentioned on earlier threads) and I too feel guilty despite it not working and not being half as happy as you have been with your teacher. Despite everything I'm grateful that he took her from total beginner to g2, and that she has a love of the instrument. She will continue with the instrument but right now I'm unclear if the logistics.

Fleur do you have another clarinet teacher lined up? I can recommend DS2's teacher who is very good. He teaches at the girls' school and the boys' school as well as privately from his home / recording studio. PM me if you'd like details.

Well done to onlymusic DD on the theory result... exactly the same mark that DS2 got.

Operation Clarinet Catch Up After Norfolk is underway. He got back yesterday evening and did an hour's practice without any prompting. He is practising again now.

I'm going to spend today trying not to think about Handel.