September Music Thread

[Wafflenose]

Hello, and welcome to a new thread for September. This is a lovely, calm and supportive corner of Mumsnet where we can talk about everything to do with music lessons, exams, practice, auditions, and whatever else you like. Contributors of ALL standards and ages welcome. There are lots of experienced music parents on here, but we also have a steady stream of beginners, and the collective knowledge on here is impressive.

I'm Waffle, teacher of woodwind - mainly clarinet and recorder these days. My DH plays the guitar for fun. We have two DDs - sensitive, highly strung and accident-prone Goo (11) who plays the flute and piano, and starts secondary school next week, and laid back, funny Rara (9) who plays the cello and clarinet, and is also a reading machine.

There's not too much going on for us musically this term, apart from auditioning for NCO in October. My main priority will be getting Goo settled in a much bigger school, with a longer day, and she's getting there under her own steam, eek! Luckily for us, we don't have any music exams or secondary school entrance stuff going on, but I know that lots of you do. I am anticipating Grade 8 Flute and Grade 3 Clarinet next term, and Grade 5 Piano in the summer term. I've no idea if Rara will do any more cello exams after the drama of the last one! At the moment, she says she's sticking to the odd numbers. Nutcase.

We have 6 schools to visit this months - two privates and four states and two states are re-visiting. Three out of four states require entry tests as we don't live close enough to all of them. The selection process starts late September. We really need to know which one to apply very soon so DS can do some preps before then...

Kutik same here with the schools in the area. There are 8 schools requiring taking an academic exam and music test, besides those 8 schools the other ones aren't that great. The 8 schools are also spread quite out therefore we can't consider all of them as the travel time can be huge.

To get into these schools without the exams you need to live on their door step so no chance for us.

Dd will therefore go to DS's school, one of the 8 schools that select on academic and music ability, which is a very good school but not the best out of all of them, as she can get in on sibling rule. If she does well in the music test (not much chance on academic as we didn't prepare her except a test every 2/3 months) then she has a chance to go to the two schools that are held in higher regards than DS's school.

I am so envious that at least you know your DD won't end up at a horrid one. We are applying for a couple of private schools as a backup. DS has visited only one private school so far and loved and still talks about it so I guess it's his first choice. But, if he managed to get in a good state school, unless he absolutely hates it, that's where he is going. Sending him to a private school is the last resource for us.

Kutik I know the feeling I've been through this with DS, back then the potential schools (without the admission test) were even worse than now, at least now they have been rebuilt and a lot of money chucked at them to improve them so the facilities are amazing.

Not long to go till the process is over (for us as we're not considering private) and then we can relax and focus on what dd likes.

Hi all, I'm a lurker on this thread, but never posted. Please tell me if its not OK to post here. I am adult learner- violin. Have been learning for two years, and teacher wants me to do trinity music certificate intermediate in December. The music certificates do seem more appropriate for adults than grades. Does anyone have any experience? I think it with shape my practice. Most of you have put DC through grades- is it a huge amount of work- stress? Do you think it's a valuable process for an adult? Good luck this term everyone. I'm a bit odd, but I do love mumsnet!!

Kutik on your DS's enthusiasm! Loved the clips Raspberry & Drummers, thank you for sharing.

And welcome craddock! I am not an adult learner but if you feel there is value from the process of exams and your teacher recommends you are ready, then go for it! The work-stress to me is relative to how prepared you are on the exam elements. Hopefully this will be out-weighed by the huge sense of achievement you should get from rising to the challenge! Good luck.

Welcome, craddock. I am not an adult learner but have great admiration towards those like you. I don't know much about exams but you are on the right thread as there are plenty of experienced people here who could give you knowledgeable advice whenever needed!

To those who have secondary school age DCs, hopefully any of you could answer my question which keeps coming up and go since I started secondary school hunting.

So far, there are two state schools we visited and liked. One is quite famous for the strict disciplines and Year 7 will receive an hour homework daily which will increase to an hour and half in Year 8 and up to 3 hours by Year 10-11. Another one is more relaxed and they didn't state amount of homework at the open day but the pupils told me they don't get much and quite free.

Well, I like some sort of discipline, and lots of freedom for that age don't sound good to me. But on the other hand, if you receive so much homework daily, and do some after school activities at healthy level, how can they fit their daily music practice which would also increase as they get older? They also come back from school later than when they are at primary school. How many hours do they have at home? Those who play multiple instruments at high standard, how do they maintain the progress? Or, if we are sure DS wants to spend lots time on music, we shouldn't consider such school in the first place?

I remember Goo is starting the school with lots of academic emphasis from day one. Waffle, do you have any day schedule where to fit homework, music, other activities? Or anyone...?

Sorry, I'm having a questioning day! This question is again quite directed to Waffle, but anyone who can answer would be greatly appreciated!

My friend is hunting flute for her 11 years old DD. She is proficient in piano and wants to pick up flute for fun (no lesson planned). Is there any good recommendation which model/make to buy for her? It's for fun so the mother doesn't want to spend too much, but as DD is already a good musician she may need a reasonably good one as she probably progress quickly.

Kutik I wouldn't go by what a school states 100%. Also an hour of homework isn't a huge amount for year 7 and it is measured on average abilities. DS's school stated they'll get lots of homework at the beginning of every year. I was actually sick of hearing the same statement made each new year. He didn't seem to have any and his teachers confirmed his homework was of a good quality and handed in on time (mostly, over the 5 years there have been some delays).

On talking with somebody else who's child goes to the same school they asked me how do I feel about the huge amount of homework they get. It was like our kids were going to a different school.

DS's trick was starting and doing a lot of assignments and homework in form at the beginning of the day, midday and on the bus on the way to school and back. Therefore if you are organised it is doable. (Not that DS is organised, just that he didn't like to do homework in his spare time).

I have just looked at my dd stream, they have a live timetable that's unique to them and their own programme of study and wednesday is music (academic) KS3, practice, music lesson, ensemble, and theory.
There are no academic lessons at all.
It looks really weird as now she has dropped Humanities it looks quite bare and more tailored.
Lots of French, German and Art, bit of Maths, English, Science, Drama and P.E.
I've never seen such a weird time table

Hope everybody's dc are settling into their new school years well

Ds has settled back into school well I think gilly. Kutik ds got lots of homework in year 7 probably an hour at least most nights and about 2 or 3 hours minimum at the weekend . He counted all of his pieces of homework over the year and told me he got set over 200 pieces ( plus revision for tests his school are big on tests) ds however managed well still always did his music practice and played in 2 bands and saw friends went to youth club etc. He didn't fit in after school sport as he said he would rather do music and the matches always clashed as his school is so rural all sports and music clubs run at lunch times which helps. His trick was to make sure that he started each Monday with a clean slate and all his homework done so it is doable but you have to be organised. His form tutor is also really understanding and when I told him what ds fits in out of school he says that ds should say if he was struggling with the homework and they would help.

Craddock287 I would go for the certificate. A chance to play to a critical listener and get an assessment of your playing will give you ideas of where to work on next. Exams have drawbacks for adult learners with aural and scales. Scales are very useful in your practice routine but trying to remember the right one under exam conditions just adds extra stress. Aural if you have never done any would be a bit of a shock starting at grade 4 or 5. It will also give you a benchmark of your standard if you want to join groups or go on music holidays and courses.
I'm an adult learner of singing and sax and a long term flute player so have seen it from both angles.

Craddock My husband went back to piano as an adult, he left school with a G2 pass and found a teacher when he was in his late forties. He didn't take all of the exams but he worked his way up to G8. I would say that he enjoyed it other than the day of the final exam where he threw the music onto the floor with an enthusiastic page turn.

Kutik we always found that homework takes half the time that school say it will. They must build in an allowance for chewing the pen and looking out of the window.

Hi Craddock! Lovely to see another adult learner - you'll find this thread very supportive!
I took up piano in middle age as a complete beginner and avoided exams for ages until somehow I got talked into it! I'd say the downside for me is nerves - apparently adults are worse for this than kids! - but that's completely outweighed by huge sense of achievement when I pass! But I would take the attitude that no one needs to take a music exam and you can learn just as effectively without them.
Kutik you can't trust schools on homework and Fleur is spot on about hearing different things from other parents in the same school! Some of DS2's friends apparently have loads - but not DS2. I think a lot of it depends on whether you can get it out of the way in class.

craddock im an adult piano learner (about g4~) and my teacher had floated the possibility of aiming for the intermediate too. I don't much like the exam thing, though part of me would like to aim for g8 after but only for the having reached that very recognised target! Welcome xx

kutik i agree on homework info not always being consistent. However when DS started at his school I was told the work load was light in year7 and 8 and that was spot on. Meanwhile the nearby similar school was supposed to give one hour a day and that was spot on too. My experience is that as the years have progressed the homework has increased and it has become a major issue re individual practice. It may also have to do with playing in six school ensembles mind you! All in all I was happy to have chosen the shool known for less homework. The other school is giving three solid hours by now. DS would have to give up any music dreams.

Thank you all!! I've not been interested in grades...ad an adult, ensemble playing seems more important. However, I do like structure and something concrete to work towards. I sort of feel like g8 is a gateway. It feels like a beginning. But the intermediate is a benchmark. Validation by someone external to my learning process. I do loads of scales work- in fact, my scales are currently g8. (I did say I'm a bit odd!!).... So don't need an exam to help focus on scales. But pieces- think it would be brilliant. Very concrete . HAving thought about it, I think I shall look at easter. That gives plenty of time for prep and enjoyment. Again, thanks for comments.... Very helpful.

DS2 loved his introductory guitar lesson so I have paid for the term. He is very happy! i am somewhat poorer!

Glad this thread is bobbling along well. I barely have time to read it now I'm back at work, much less contribute. I'm now having to juggle three schools' worth of different start and end times, term dates, commitments etc. Goo and I are now up at 6.30. She has to leave at 7.50ish, but can go later once she gets into the swing. She loves the new school, finally has the odd academic peer, and there's a girl in her class who's also working on Grade 5 Piano. Goo is on the leaderboard for the most house points in her entire house (200 pupils) and also has the joint most for any of the Year 7s (240 pupils) so far. She won a prize in Maths yesterday. Go Goo!

Rara has had a terrible transition so far, and is being completely obnoxious. She behaved for her cello teacher and played like an angel though! Teacher was amazed that Rara had averaged out practising once every two days (if that)... she has seen a few kids today who haven't looked at the cello for 6-8 weeks, including one who's grown out of his cello without realising! LOL!

Kutik tell them to look out for a second hand Yamaha 211. Goo has just had to upgrade for Grade 8, but we bought her old flute second hand and it was a good one.

As for coping with everything... hmm, ask me again in a month. She's currently doing 15 minutes piano at 7.30am, and 15 minutes flute before bed, because that's all we can manage. There will be less dawdling to and from school eventually, which will save a lot of time.

Goo's language for the first 1/4 is German. She surprised herself by enjoying it. My aunt is English but has lived in Germany since 1980. If Goo sticks with it, they can email each other.

Great news that Goo had a good start hopefully Rara's term will start to improve.

Glad everyone back into the swing of school so quickly! Yr 7 homework is a bit of a shock already - min 90mins per night across 3 subjects -and it really does seem to be that much eg two essays plus science research one night. We are tired and no music practice has been possible. I suspect we may need to put one instrument aside for a while if we are going to do either instrument justice. Youth and school orchestras and groups start next week - again will have to see how they fare. Still dd loving it at the moment...

Fabulous start to Y7 for Goo! I'm impressed by the maths prize. I think she may have found her people! Poor Rara, it can be tough at primary (DS1 only really enjoyed the last 2 years for various reasons and 'enjoyed' might be a bit strong) but so pleased the cello lesson went well. She's done more practice than DS2 )but he has at least done some each week and there is a distinct improvement in the pieces.
Stringchild sounds like your DD is amazing as well!

Good to hear Goo had a great transition shame Rara didn't, hopefully she'll be better soon.

Went to upload dd's piece recorded tonight and found Drummersboy he is fantastic! I actually want to see him in concert so if there are any opportunities please let me know drummers.

Ironed all the shirts and trousers for the boy who's starting sixth form tomorrow. I feel so nostalgic...

Wowee, just caught up with the videos! Minifleur's was very competent and atmostpheric. Miniealing did a fab job, and I now need to get that piece! Drummers is SO cool, and MiniRaspberry is absolutely angelic and gorgeous. I recorded Rara last night, but she was tired and it wasn't good. New clarinet is coming in a few days, and she has two lovely cello pieces on the go (polishing an old one, and learning a new one) so I'll try again at the weekend if she's more cooperative.

Waffle which clarinet did you go for, was it the Yamaha?

Dd doesn't let me record her anymore as she plays really bad when I do so, she gets nervous and makes a lot of mistakes. So tonight I asked her to play and sat down and recorded without her knowledge, the sound is quite bad as I was too close to the piano but I couldn't move without drawing attention to what I am up to.

At the end she saw the video and asked me to share it

Looking forward to hear Rara and Goo playing when they're ready.

Off to see Miniraspberry I must have missed that video.