(Mostly) August Music Thread

[Wafflenose]

Here's a new thread for August, but we're starting it a few days early, because you lot have managed to be super chatty this month! I wonder if things will slow down in August due to people going away... maybe or maybe not?

I'm Waffle, a teacher of woodwind - mostly recorders and clarinet, but I have a couple of flutes currently, and teach saxophone, piano and theory when required. I am determined that the music threads should be open to ALL, including complete beginners and adult learners. It's a good place to discuss lessons, practice, concerts, exams and our generally hectic lives!

I have a DH who plays the guitar for pleasure (no lessons) and two girls. Goo is 11 and has her Grade 7 Flute (March 2017) and Grade 6 Recorder (December 2015 and now pretty much stopped ). She has been learning the piano for 15 months, is refusing to perform in any way, shape or form, but will probably take Grade 5 next year. Rara is 9 and has Grade 3 Cello (July 2017), Grade 3 Recorder (December 2016 and also ceased) and is working towards her Grade 3 Clarinet... probably next spring. Goo is off to NCO Under 12s on Sunday, and we need to pop out to get her some shoes and general supplies in a bit.

I have just realised that we will probably have Grade 8 Flute and Grade 3 Clarinet going on in the same session, Spring 2018. Oh dear! If Rara bothers with Grade 4 Cello, we'll probably have that at the same time as Grade 5 Piano, next summer. Double oh dear!

We are used to it fleur, I know classical music is not everyone's thing and other family members do come along sometimes, just not the grandparents!

hapsburg that is sad. What would they rather have the kids doing, if not music? Is there anything they would have come to watch?

Hi all, any recommendations on Glockenspiels? Percussion plus has been mentioned as a much cheaper alternative to Yamaha ones?

We bought a PP block 2-3 years as needed for a local orchestra concert. Don't think it has been used since! So my advice would be not to bother :)

Glock not block of course - damn autocorrect.

doubleup no idea, if there is anything we haven't found it yet! A couple of years ago they had planned to come and stay with us for a weekend - when I mentioned DD's sports day was on the Saturday and then an NCO Hever Castle Concert on the Sunday (both of which were lovely days out involving picnics etc) they cancelled their trip.
Hope your DD enjoyed under 11's, mine loved it and made some of her best friends - they are all still together now in Main.

Hello, not sure if I've found the right place, but I'll give it a try.

My 4yo has been showing a real interest in the drums over the past few months. We've taken him to live shows (proms / festivals) and he's been fascinated. He's concocted a drum kit of sorts and he has me put rock bands or other percussion on the to so he can drum along. He does seem to have a bit of rhythm, he's not just hammering the things blindly.

We have a relatively well soundproofed garden room at the bottom of the garden, away from neighbours. We could buy him a beginners kit for xmas but I'm worried it's just a phase and that he's too young for lessons. I don't want to take the fun out of it.

So when should I start taking it seriously and how?

She loved it hapsburg. She did U10 last year with two other bassoonists and all three of them got in again this year. They all share the same teacher now and do a weekly double reed band together so have built up a great bond. Not sure what will happen next year if they all get in again as two would be eligible for U11 again and one would be U12.
Sorry mouse, I know nothing about percussion although there are one or two people on here who might be able to help. Welcome though!

amousehas| my son started lessons around 6 and I know many others who have around that age. For some it worked, for others they were too young. 4 sounds too young to me for drum lessons but perhaps a local teacher might be interested and if a good teacher should still be fun - in fact more fun! Regarding a kit how about just buying one off eBay (usually lots available) and if just a phrase you can probably sell it on around what you paid for it. You might also think about something more general to learn about music more generally. Some of the county music services run groups for young children where they gain a general introduction to music including learning about rhythm.

I should add on the junior kit even if not just a phase and he gets more serious he will quickly outgrow it so no point spending a lot of money on a new one. We had one and I think it become inadequate for practice after grade 1

Ds startes stum lessons at 5. It started with Lots og rhythm games, om body clapping patterns etc. As well as using the drum kit in his lessons. He started in the Autumn and loved it so he got a drum kit for Christmas. He's 7 now and still loves it.

DS1 started in year 3 aged 8 and that year his class also had whole group salsa percussion lessons, which led to him joining a junior percussion group at the music centre. I know at least one other percussion group linked to the music centre that takes very young kids to do percussion and they love it. Another kid I know must have been 6 when he started lessons. I wished I'd started DS1 then, tbh, though he has a great teacher now and is quite obsessive about technique!
Incidentally, drum kit really can inspire a wider interest in all forms of music. Traditionally my dc's secondary school didn't put much focus on music. DS1 tells me interest in drum kit is now so high they have three teachers coming in to give lessons. I know their focus is rock rather than classical but it's definitely helped to boost take up of music gcse in the face of a declining trend elsewhere and so led to exploring other types of music, too.

amousehas the issue at 4 is the physical "reach". Some 4 year olds can't reach the pedal or extend their arms enough to hit a ride or a crash. DS started a group percussion class at 5. They did african drumming etc and learnt to count the beat and lots of things which constituted a base. This wss for a few months then he started 1-2-1 lessons either just before 6 or at 6 I can't remember. We bought a Pearl Traveller kit and nine years later it's still standing and sounding great in spite of practice of up to 5 hours a day this summer. The cymbals were rubbish and soon needed upgrading but they were good for a couple of years. It also came without a crash which we bought separately. And of course the snare skin has needed a couple of changes. Why don't you take him to a shop and sit him at a real kit and see what happens physically. Also you could have a lesson consultation at a teacher's kit and see what they say?

Hello! I have been lurking on the thread for a while and love reading about everybody's journey and progress. It is a very warm and friendly thread. I have a question you may be able to help me with especially as so many are going through grade exams for music. I am an adult learner (classical guitar) and took my very first music exam ever in June with RCM. Hedging my bets, I started at the preparatory level To my great surprise I passed with distinction (still trying to digest that). My teacher had proposed to take Level 1 in Jamuary and Level 2 in June. Is this too quick?

Hello mamakoukla - I'm also an adult guitar learner though not classical.

Re exams, I think it really depends on what you want - there is no reason not to take the exams as proposed but do you want to spend all your time learning exam material? I think it comes partly down to personality, whether you want your learning to be highly structured or more freeform.

I don't know anything about RCM but as a general comment it is normal for committed teenage and adult learners to progress quickly through the grades (ie more quickly than a primary age child).

amouse I would find a local teacher for advice before you buy anything - there may be more suitable ways of starting than with a full drum kit, ie using other percussion instruments.

Thank you Mistigri! I am on the other side of the Atlantic. It's the Royal Conservatory of Music. I will give your comments some thought

mama I assume you can skip grades if you like? At three grades a year it is going to be an expensive hobby .

I am starting piano lessons again this year - if I were in the UK I might consider working towards grades 6 then possibly 8 in the fullness of time (I did 3 and 5 as a teenager many moons ago). Compared to a child student, and even to my DD16 who also plays guitar and piano, my practise time is more structured and I think more efficient, and I am better at acknowledging and working on my weak points ;)

Ha ha Misti! I am planning on a new guitar.... In good time though. I guess part of me is scared of missing out on something if I go too fast or skip grades. And yes I think age and experience do bring something different to it. I never understood what a compulsion to have to practise felt like or imagined I'd feel that way. My family tease me about filling any spare ten minutes with practise

We talked about risky sports and sport injuries a while ago - can anyone remember? I mentioned DS's impulsive nature and fearless attitude.

We are currently enjoying action packed holiday in France. While we have been trying lots stuff as a family, I discovered that DS was not that stupid. I mean, he is still very much fearless but within his capability. He was/is very sensible until he grasp 'it'. So glad to see the side of him (I don't see it very often).

Actually, I am the one who is foolishly fearless in the family. I ended up having 3 stitches at a private medical center in today... Ouch.

kutik ouch! That's not good! Feel better soon.

Welcome ladies! mama well done in your first exam. I am an adult piano beginner and learnt quicker than my little one to start with, she's caught me up now and will zoom past me. I'm not sitting actual exams, at least not til later on. Largely finance based! a part of me would rather love G8 in the bag one day.

Ouch Kutic

DS2s cast came off today. He has been told not to pick up anything heavy, and the Consultant said he should avoid trombone for another 2 weeks, though agreed his pbone may be ok. No risky/ contact sports for 8 weeks, so that's a letter to PE dept. Normally I write those sorts of letters before piano exams!

Apparently piano practice is the best kind of physio though!

mamakoukla guitar shopping is the best sort of shopping. I don't know anything about classical guitars - are they very expensive? I was shocked to discover what it costs to buy a good acoustic guitar.

Kutik ouch! hope you heal quickly. Where in France are you?

Hi All,

Thanks for the advice, very helpful.

He is pretty little physically so I think I'll hold off for a bit.

However @hertsandessex, we are Herts based. I'm taking a punt at your user name and hoping that you may know of a group or a school we can look at for more generalised musical activities?

Misti, we are in Morzine - mountain bike heaven and that how I got myself in a trouble! The treatment cost me 125 euro!!