October Music Thread

[Wafflenose]

Hello, I just fell asleep in front of a very long film that DH wanted to watch, and woke up in October! I couldn't resist starting the new thread before going to sleep properly.

The monthly music threads are welcome to ALL, and we really like hearing from new contributors and beginner musicians. We have all levels on here. It's a good place to discuss instruments, lessons, practice, exams, auditions and anything else that you want to.

I am a teacher of recorder, clarinet, saxophone and flute, and have two daughters. Goo is 11 and plays the flute and piano. She is planning to do exams on both next year, but none just now because she's just started at the secondary school 2 miles down the road, which has a great reputation for music and sport, and is extremely academic. They study four languages in Year 7 - Goo has just finished her unit on German (by the end of three weeks, they could write three substantial paragraphs - I couldn't believe it!) and is now embarking on Mandarin.
She's thrown herself into choir, orchestra, steel band, flute group and the gym. Rara is 9 and has been playing the cello since the age of 5, and clarinet for a year. She enjoys both, but is happiest when she's reading or cutting up paper/ making things out of paper! Rara has plenty of free time because she attends the village school five minutes away, and hardly gets any homework.

Goo attends South West Music School, which is the nearest thing we have to a JD in the south west. Rara is just about to join! Not too much on musically this term (and not a lot of practice taking place, quite honestly) apart from auditioning for the NCO. Goo has been in it for the past three years, and is hoping for Under 12s. After a wobble about even auditioning, she seems quietly confident now.

mini wishing her a speedy recovery.
Quick recap for new thread:
I have a percussionist (15) and pianist, finished all grades last year so this year is all about getting better. He is continuing lessons on drum kit, orchestral percussion, classical piano and jazz piano. He has joined jd and it's their requisite he takes Theory gr6 in the summer. He's a music scholar at his school where he plays and sings in 6 weekly ensembles plus a multitude of events because percussion is always needed. All this doesn't leave a lot of time for academic work, therefore our Sundays are now 10 hour long marathons of homework. I think that when he leaves home in 3 years I will have to be hospitalized for adrenaline withdrawal syndrome.

Eek, Mini. I hope it's nothing much and that she'll be OK by the time she gets home.

I am trying to get Goo to clear her homework list at the weekends. She has a big bit of science left (60-90 mins worth) and I suggested she got it done. "It's not due until FRIDAY!" she yelled, and I could hear the implied "D'uh!" at the end of the sentence. She's now pratting about in Rara's room.

Just read other posts, mini sorry to hear! Hope it isnt too bad! Its dangerous everywhere!
Mine is 9 yrs old, playing violin and piano. We are struggling with finding a violin teacher the last 1.5 yrs. Progress since has been very slow. Its very frustrated. Our aim now is only finding a good, permanent teacher. We will have to start with 11+ prep. We have a test with a tutor next week with hope she is offered a place at the tutor, then the lesson will start from end of Oct. My aim this school year is trying to balance all her activities with her academic side with hope she wont fail 11+ and still keeps up with her interests.

Mini hope your dd is fine . Ds took part in a dalcroze class the other week and really enjoyed it though I think they took part barefoot

Mini, I hope it's nothing that rest and an ice pack won't sort.

Waffle, glad to hear that Goo has decided to do the NCO audition.

I have DD1 (14) who plays oboe (Grade 6 +) and sax (about to take Grade 6). She's a music scholar at her school with her scholar's concert coming up next week. She plays in 4 orchestras/ensembles at school, and a double reed ensemble, concert band and swing band with the local music hub.

DD2 (10) plays bassoon (Grade 7) and guitar (Grade 3ish). She has been in NCO for the last two years and plays in the double reed ensemble with her sister, plus wind band. She is on the music hub's gifted and talented programme and is currently spending the day doing a chamber ensemble day, one to a part. We get to go and listen to the results of that in about an hour.

I mainly read these threads as I find it hard to make enough time to contribute.

I have DD who is 10. Does violin and piano. Did Grade 5 violin in the summer and got a good merit, 127. No piano grades yet has been learning for about a year. Does NCO regionals and is reauditioning in a couple of weeks. Going to apply for some music scholarships for secondary school but it's very competitive here, South West London, so I don't know if she will get to audition or not.

I have DS1 aged 7. He is at a school where he has a place as a chorister though he isn't in the choir yet. He is learning violin and piano and doing loads of singing at school. No grades taken yet.

I also have DS2 aged 4. He hasn't started anything yet.

Hope your DD is ok Mini.

I've no excuse for flapping over G3 violin, I took my G8 violin about 100yrs ago (okay, 20yrs) and studied music at Uni. I've played in orchestras all my life...

But I only ever took G5 and G8 and I'm struggling to reassure myself that she's at the correct standard to be a good mark. I flirt between thinking 'oh my wonderful DD, she is so talented and marvellous(!)" and "oh my god, that intonation is a bit rocky and, ooo, the bow hold isn't perfect and, hmmm, the sound quality could of be richer and, whoops, I'm not mad on that vibrato...".

Her teacher assures me she is above standard so I think I need to chill out. I just need to get her to understand the importance of KEY SIGNATURES in the sight reading!

Lurky your post made me smile I am exactly the same with ds and have to give myself a stern talking to from time to time !! He is always fine but also switch between oh isn't that great and definitely only hearing the bits that aren't quite right !!

If she has finished book 3, I reckon she could take Grade 4+, so please don't worry. Half the marks for sight reading are for rhythm alone (if it's ABRSM) so she could play the correct rhythm on one open string and get about 10/21.

We had a family outing to New Scientist Live at ExCel today - lots fun things to see and do! One of the highlights for DS was to meet and chat with Lucy Hawking. He read all her George books and of course has all the series at home, but bought another copy of the first edition being sold there today with his pocket money to get her signature. She was so lovely and told him a little secret of her next book publishing next spring, shock hand, and let us take a photo together. The book with her signature will be his treasure for sure.

Now DH and DS are off to a quick swim (we live in front of a gym so we regard it's our personal gym ). DS said he would do some music later, but not sure if he has any energy left after all this. It was fun, but as it was such a big event, we were all quite exhausted at the end!

Hello everyone! Thank you waffle for the new thread! Lovely to hear about Goo's school, it sounds fab!

Miniprada is 11 and just started y7 as a music scholar in a girls London day school. She is just starting her G8 violin syllabus and G7 piano. She's already had so many music opportunities in school - choir, chamber music, orchestras and lately a trio ensemble with two other classmates. She's loving it but I think realistically she is going to have to give up her out of school orchestra commitments as there will literally be no time for homework or dancing (which she loves).

I hope minimusician is ok!

Schwan they do vary - you don't have the German fingering one by any chance, do you? If it's definitely the English, check you are using Thumb + 123 4x67 for low F and half thumb + 123 4x6x for high F. If STILL wrong, I guess you just need to lip it up or down a bit. I have no idea if my Fs are inherently out of tune, but will now be paying more attention!

Definitely English/Baroque. Tenor can be got into tune with a warm instrument and careful fingering, but descant still can't, so will experiment further. Beginning to think I need a few lessons as I have no idea what to do with my mouth!

Thanks all for the concern - she's fine. It's a bit sore but she stood on it for her lesson and duet practise and was walking on it alright. Wonderdrug calpol was all. She's made no talk of missing her dance classes tomorrow, it can't be that bad!

Poor little brave Mini! Hope the sore leg will be completely ok tomorrow!

Can a music scholar not go with the school's music requirement Prada, that was my biggest concern that a music scholar to school's music commitment could be permanent and no negotiation.

Greenleave - re your question to Prada; i would talk to the school. It has been made v clear to DD by her school that there are some things that she must do/be part of, and others she can choose - like MiniPrada she has a large number of requests for her time already, and actually has v quickly learnt to handle it and negotiate guest spots in some ensembles etc when she can't commit to all rehearsals. But yes music is assumed to come first (after academics). The same sort of thing but slightly less is being asked of the Award holders. But i do know of one of the other schools she got a scholarship, that really don't ask much commitment of their music scholars at all. So check with the school for sure.

Green - I think it varies from school to school. Miniprada's scholarship status and commitments are clearly listed in a handbook so we all know what is expected of her. Coming from such a sport orientated prep school with nothing much available to the non-sporty types, it is very refreshing to see so much choice in her area of passion.

Hello all.

A lot of instruments have arrived, set of Saxes, bit short of full family now. Lots of very low notes, they sound beautiful.
Some more Clarinets of various size and pitch, and a Piccolo.

Winter season means different instruments and they take some hammering used repeatedly with no break, so all have been serviced, overhauled or operated on by dh and dd. Oh the joys of the smell of brasso and/or paint stripper/ lighter fluid.

Note to self: Next house move, must have a workshop.

Happy October everyone.... 44 posts on this thread already!

I have DS(12) who is a cellist - starting G8 (trinity) preparation, auditioning for NCO u13s this month, and G5 Theory in November. He had a brilliant day yesterday, playing with the Chineke! junior orchestra and meeting Guy Johnston and Sheku Kanneh-Mason.... very proud
And DD(10) is a violinist - she is waiting for 11+ results, starting G8 violin work, G4 piano this term and auditioning for NCO U11s.

Prada your DD sounds like she is doing brilliantly - so great to be in a school that sounds so right for her
Lurker my DD started with the suzuki books - the Paul Harris Improve your Sight reading books (and basically lots of sight reading practice where she would have a couple of goes on her own and then I would play along) really helped.

Thanks Prada and String!

Musicdoc: all the best with the 11+ results!

Gilly that sounds very busy! DH has asked for a multi tool for his birthday so he can do something with effects pedals for guitars, apparently!
DS1 is much recovered and back at school. Jazz band rehearsal yesterday went very well so he's perked up a lot.

Hello all!

DD went to a strings workshop in Cambridge yesterday, which she loved. DD is 9 and plays violin/piano.
Busy month ahead; county orchestra audition, NCO audition, grade 5 theory (Nov) and grade 5 violin.

Must keep an eye on the music hubs, as these random workshops come along and they are hard to find!

Younger DD (7) is going through Violin Star 1. It is an uphill battle. I will persevere. If only because I know how much music has added to older DD's life and the younger one can't be expected to understand that yet!

Hello Loose

It's dh, been offered shows December to March, good work but won't see much of him and the second one is touring.

There's nothing like a Jazz band rehearsal to pick you up.
dd has asked for a bass sax, you don't usually buy them as work on them is limited, so she is borrowing one. it's bigger than her in fact is massive.

It sounds like your dh will be making lots of noise with an effects pedal, if I'm on the right track.
We should all compare strengths of ear plugs soon.

Gilly yes, I'm putting ear plugs on my Christmas list! I love the thought of your little dd with the bass sax - it's an amazing instrument.

Hello....chorister cellist aged 12 here, just started piano and also a little one age 6 just started cello, middle DD has been lured to the stage .

Has anyone read this article today? Really inspirational.

www.theguardian.com/education/2017/oct/03/school-results-music-bradford?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

Also, I have a chorister question in a separate thread - in case anyone uses 'Threads I'm On' exclusively...@Helenluvsrob @raspberryrippleicecream would very much appreciate a look if you have time