November Music Thread

[Wafflenose]

New month, new thread! This is a place for musicians and parents of musicians, from complete beginners to experienced and everything in between, to talk about everything to do with music! Previous threads have covered exams, practice, scales, instrument hire and purchase, theory, composition, aural woes, auditions, scholarship preparation and much more.

I started these threads when my 12 year old daughter Goo was 6 and preparing for Grade 1. I never thought we'd still be going, 6 years later! I appreciated all the advice I was given back then, and try to repay that when I can.

Goo plays the flute and piano (she has been learning the piano for 18 months but has yet to perform - ever) and has no exams lined up at the moment. I also have Rara who is 9, and working towards her third Grade 3, on the clarinet. The other two were on the cello and recorder. She's more interested in art and reading, and currently swims five times a week.

I am a teacher of woodwind, and Wednesday is my day from you-know-where... full-on from 6.30 am until 10 pm, and about to get worse!!

Just to clarify, does he have to learn one new piece, or three? I think that does make a difference here. My daughter Goo once had to learn a new piece in 9 days (also Grade 2) due to a cock-up by me, and it ended up not even being her worst piece!

It’s just one new piece. It seems he had been practicing two from group A instead of one each from group A and B.

He’s now learning Food Glorious Food, which is the longest piece out of that group, but he’s chosen that because he knows the song (he performed in the play on stage last year) which has influenced him and he says will help because he can hear when he goes wrong.

Yes, it's a long one, but not too hard. He'll be fine learning one new one and keeping everything else going. So sweet that he's promised to practise so much!

Thanks for the advice and assurance. I’ll be speaking to his mum again tonight and hopefully put her at ease a little.

I also think 4 weeks is ample at garde 2 - especially on sax and with a piece that he know.

We are not in the UK - here in music schools it is common for compulsory exam pieces to be set in May for end of year exams in June. In many respects I think this works better, as it means students have a deadline and the piece doesn't get stale.

Sorry I misunderstood yesterday I thought it was grade 4 yes grade 2 is definitely achievable. When ds did his grade 3 I'm sure he only had six weeks at best to learn his last piece by then it was good to have something new to learn and it stops it going stale . Really lovely that he sounds so committed to practicing too, though I'm sure he won't have to practice that much !! Wish him lots of luck !!

We all went to see Haken Hardenberger play yeaterday , amazing and really interesting. He works closely with a percussionist called Colin Currie who was equally amazing. They performed 3 modern pieces commissioned by the duo. Must have been good as even dd didn't wriggle too much!! Then we got to listen to their students perform which was equally good. The trumpets sounded beautiful and there was this amazing piece of percussion music called "Drumming" which had the audience captivated . An inspiring afternoon out

Good morning all. Thanks for all advice and info. Speaking to his mum again last night, I could hear him playing in the background and it sounded vaguely recognisable, which is a good start.

I’m going to take him out for pancakes this afternoon and spend time with him for moral support while he practices. He’s driven and wants to do his best, but adamant that he wants to keep up with his school homework too. Given the advice here, that shouldn’t be an issue.

Wow trumpet that sounds fab. We love Colin Currie, DS attended a marimba masterclass by him. He's a role model not only as a musician but as someone who has been very smart at building a career.
DS played yesterday on several percussion elements and it was one of his most inspired performances and we were all (family) very proud and happy for him. He then had a sleepover and when I called him this morning he was playing more music with his friend. He just doesn't want to ever stop now. But GCSEs are knock knock knocking on the door... (our door, not heaven's).

He sounds lovely Frigglet. Good luck to him, with his mature approach he will crack it for sure.

Wow drummers that sounds great . Ds also would much rather do music ( or warhammer) than anything to do with school work . Once he gets going it's ok but it's a battle. Not that we're anywhere near GCSEs yet . I'm sure your ds will be fine . I did say to school this week that I was a bit concerned about how much ds had going on at the minute but they were like oh don't worry we usually find that students like your ds are the ones that do cope ( they don't have to do all the help with time management at home though !!)

Exactly trumpet. Although I suspect when they see a child doing so much they immediately know there must be support at home and they relax even in terms of academics.

Talking of schools, DD1 showed me a letter she got from her music department (she's a music scholar) about attendance at choir. As she described it, a bit 'passive-aggressive". They had a huge number of girls who were in upper sixth who left at the end of the summer, meaning that their numbers have dropped significantly. They are pretty much insisting that all music scholars attend.

DD has not been in choir before and was not sure if she would be able to attend given other commitments we have as a family on the day and was told that as a music scholar and taking GCSE music, perhaps she should show a bit more commitment! Given that she plays in sax ensemble, concert band, orchestra and oboe trio already, I'm not sure how they can say she isn't showing commitment! I shall be having a quiet word at parents' evening in a couple of week.......

Doubleup definitely have a word with them. Their lack of choir members is not your dd’s problem. They shouldn’t be guilting a diligent child.
Wow to Drummers and Trumpet on your exciting weekend - I agree not a problem with children who like to do a lot. It’s a bit like the adage if you want something done, ask a busy person!
Also, from what I can glean, minidrummer has worked very hard on school stuff and is in the revision phase now, so I think he should be fine pursuing his music and getting stellar results! He is a very cool young person indeed!
I’m a bit jealous you saw Colin Currie. On the other hand, after we were both working yesterday, DH and I treated ourselves to a quick trip to Tate Britain and I’m now relaxing with a nice glass of white wine, so it’s all good! And Blue Planet is on later...

Wish I was doing that Loose I'm currently painting ds's bedroom ( 1 room down the rest of the house to go !!) I shall be having wine later ( probably much later !!)

Wish I was doing that Loose I'm currently painting ds's bedroom ( 1 room down the rest of the house to go !!) I shall be having wine later ( probably much later !!)

Another Blue Planet fan here. It's a bit too late for DS to watch TV, so we usually record it and watch together at the following weekend. When we have busy weekends we can't watch it so we are always a few weeks behind.

DH and DS had a big bonfire at our allotment today. They came back like a Victorian chimney sweeper.

Just popped back to say that my godson had an impromptu lesson with his Sax teacher this afternoon. Apparently he’d practiced for about 5 x 20 minutes beforehand and the teacher was totally amazed at just how well he played. So calm has been restored in his mum. 😀

However, he says that the skin/bone between his thumb and index finger hurt a lot as he has to stretch to reach the keys. And his thumb hurts on the other hand, for the same reason. His mum wrapped tissue round his thumbs, which he said felt better. I’m thinking maybe a rubber thimble like I use for counting money/paper, but does anyone know if there is a proper attachment she can buy? He's quite small for his age and has to wear a harness thing to hold the Sax. Bless him 😀.

I’d quite like to perch over here in the corner, if that’s ok? By the way, I’ve been trying hard, without success, to find a steel pan band for my dd (age 7) to join. All suggestions very welcome.

frigglet great news. Would this help. DS uses them for marimba playing (to help with callouses) you cut it to size. Amazon have it.

double yes schools usually expect scholars to be in choir. But everything can be negotiated. DS missed a few months last year because of work overload.
loose thank you, you're kind but we're not in pure revision mode yet because homework keeps coming! I like your DS A level choices btw. He sounds like he knows where he's going.

drummersmum Thanks for the suggestion; I’ll have a look. On another note, I first heard / saw the marimba played in Trafalgar Square many years ago and my eldest fell in love with the sound.

drummers, the thing that annoyed DD was that nobody had talked to her about it first and she hasn't even been in the choir for the last 3 years. Apart from the 4 ensembles at school, she plays in another 3 with the music service, so it's not as if she isn't showing a commitment to music. As it was she persuaded another couple of friends to go along too and she quite enjoyed it, but it was the letter and the laying on of guilt that are a little hard to take.

drummers thanks! He seemed to be in a sensible frame of mind this morning - I hope it lasts!
Kutik I love the Victorian chimney sweeps image!

Oh, and DS2 practised his pieces on cello this morning but as soon as Scales were mentioned ‘his arm hurt’! He’s been informed it’s all scales tomorrow night!