(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!

I went as far as to tell Not-Trumpetmum how I'd worked out who she was (actually, I blame Goo, who was sooo sure) and she humoured me! I also told her something a little bit secret!! Oh well, my secret is safe with her, seeing as she doesn't know me from Adam.

Raspberry I hope he is OK!

truffle sorry to hear about thumb problems. DS was developing calluses from playing four mallet marimba but we found the solution in marimbist Adam Tan's YouTube channel and he now wears finger protectors.

.niggle dd1 s strings usually get changed when they are well last their best - last time the winding was actually unravelling..... hopefully someone more helpful will be alone soon

Thank you. I think the exact moment to change them is a bit easier now as the E string snapped when DD was trying to tune it. Thank God she was wearing her glasses as it hit her face.

DD is renting an antique £800/£1000 3/4 size violin from her teacher. Would like to get some really good strings to take her through grade 5.

Sorry waffle but that is hysterical!! I think you are the only one here who knows who I am (well, who DD is really) and sadly we are unlikely to meet at NCO as it's DD's last year; I am now chuckling to myself at the thought of parents in concert foyers exchanging furtive glances, winks or perhaps checking for carnations in buttonholes!! We should all agree on a 'sign'!!
NCO Main concert was amazing last weekend - good luck to all under 12's this week, I hope they are having fun.

Ah yes that would make it easier to decide to change them! What type of strings is the violin currently strung with?

Waffle it definitely wasn't me !! Ds was keen for me to leave quickly ( as was I so that I could complete my journey) . I did speak to a couple of mums but they were parents of boys !! I will keep an eye out for you next Sunday .

DS has chipped a piece of his radius off! They have repositioned it while had gas and air. We will know if an operation is needed tomorrow.

Waffle your tale has really cheered me up this afternoon!

Truffle an organist! DS2 just started organ in January so it's lovely to have someone on thread to talk to. He absolutely loves i. Though obviously poor DS won't be practising for a while.

Oh no raspberry hope he's on the mend soon

Oh no Raspberry: hopefully its no worrying and he is on the mend soon!

Waffle:

Niggle: never got to do it yet however I heard people mentioned here that the strings can improve the sound quality alot, they can be expensive too. I guess only the music shop can tell. Do you live in London, Se22 and Kutik gave me contacts for London central and SW london when I wanted to rehair our bow, they most likely will do strings too. I should leave it to the experts to commend further.

raspberry, I'm praying for the quickest recovery. Now, I am anxiously waiting for DH and DS coming back from their bike ride....

Niggle, we changed strings twice in the past. The first time was because the teacher told me it's wearing out. The second time was because DS told me the same. Actually I could see a string looked different from other still healthy strings when DS/the teacher drew my attention to it. But wouldn't have noticed otherwise.

I didn't think of the maker too much. I may have done a little research but had the same ones fitted in the end.

Raspberry - all the best to your DS for a speedy recovery.

Yes, organists are pretty thin on the ground aren't they? DS1 has just done TOSE (The Organ Scholar Experience) for the fourth year! Has your DS done this or thought about it? DS1 has made loads of contacts through doing this and it has been really worthwhile.

Just read Green's post. I used two shops for re-string but yes I can recommend one in Hampton if it's within your reach. They did a quick check-up (and some minor repair as well) when I asked re-string. They didn't charge extra. It may be because DS's violin was bought from them. But I think they are very honest and fair.

Likewise I can recommend that shop and another if you are in London

Thank you all for the good wishes.

Truffle I've just googled that and it looks amazing. DS wouldn't have been ready for it this year, he just started in January. I'd promised him he could when he finished his Choristership and (theoretically) had more time. He is doing very well and I reckon is about to overtake trombone and piano.

We are back to the hospital in the morning to see the orthodontist. DS has a bottom canine tooth growing diagonally under his from incisors, and this is the appointment to find out what will happen surgery wise. I've been worrying about upcoming concerts and hoping it would fit in ok. Just shows no point in worrying too far ahead!

raspberry hoping for best outcome possible xx
waffle thanks for the giggle!

Just wondering if you have booked Go Ape for your DD's birthday do, se22? Wasn't it you who asked me about it a while ago? DS had a fab party there.

Raspberry I am sorry that you have a choice of things to worry about there, one would have been enough.

Kutik well remembered and yes it was fantastic.

Raspberry hope the orthodontist goes well. DD had this with an upper canine and had an operation to expose it and pull it into place. Not ideal for a clarinetist but has gone really well, excellent results.

TOSE is at Cambridge next year, they have a great time and all the participants are really supportive of each other.

Oh no, poor Raspberryboy. I hope it's not too painful, but I expect it is! I'm glad my stupidity cheered Raspberrymum up a bit though, and gave the rest of you a good giggle at my expense. I think it's really funny, especially as I am usually very shy.

waffle maybe randomtrumpetmum is a lurker on this thread which would explain her lack of surprise at your topics of conversation?