December Music Thread

[Wafflenose]

Have a new thread for December!

This is an ongoing chat group for musicians, parents of musicians and anyone interested in music. We talk about practice, scales, theory, instrument hire and purchase, concerts, exams, auditions and loads more. Newcomers and beginners are extra specially welcome - yes, a lot of us now have children who are getting quite advanced, but we all had beginners once. I started the conversation when my eldest was 6 and working towards Grade 1, and we now have learners of all ages and standards on here.

I am a teacher of woodwind, and have two daughters. Goo is 12 and in Year 7. She loves her new school, and has grown up fast since she started. The first few weeks were overwhelming and confusing. She loved the challenge of new subjects, new faces, lots of different sports, etc. Unfortunately, she is a poster child for complacency, is now finding it all very easy, and doing the bare minimum again, sigh. She extends this approach to music too, putting in a bit of effort at the last minute, and often making an eleventh hour bid to change piece for important performances. She is gregarious, intense and obsessed with her phone. Oops, I forgot to say, she plays the flute and piano. Grade 8 flute is pencilled in for some time next year (teacher is campaigning to wait until train tracks come off) and she hasn't performed on the piano or taken any exams yet.

Rara is 9, and a completely different kettle of fish. She likes music, but she likes reading, art and making things even more. She's talkative, eccentric and highly creative. I have no idea how her mind works. She is in Year 5 at the village primary, and couldn't really care less about academics. She plays the cello (working at an early Grade 4 level) and clarinet. Some of her clarinet pieces are Grade 4, but she is having some technical problems at the moment, mainly due to her size and incorrect placement of her fingers. So the next exam she does will probably be Grade 3.

Both girls are members of South West Music School (Rara starting next month) and both auditioned for the NCO. Goo was very pleased with herself, but Rara had an absolute disaster. She bounced back within a day though.

Fab results Waffle!

And fingers crossed for all those waiting - for exam results and audition outcomes

And congrats to mini's DD - sounds fab!

Well done mini Woolley and Waffle's students! and also wishing good luck to the NCO crowd!

Great results waffle; well done minimusic and best of luck to those still waiting for news!

Well done to Waffle's students (and well done to you, Waffle)!

DS was meaning to do only a duet at a church service but suddenly three solo performances are booked in next week on top of the church service. One is at a violin concert, another is piano, and flexible for the third so he can choose which one to play. As usual he is saying violin, but there is no piano accompanist on site for the third one. He thinks it's OK to play without piano, but I am no so sure. Unless it's meant to play unaccompanied, usually it's better not to play just violin alone? It may be OK for a small occasion but he is playing in front of 800....

Well done to miniMini! Though it was quite obvious she will be in!

Congratulations Waffle, I hope your NCO results are as good.

DS is playing at a carol service in the cathedral tonight. The band he's playing with had a player pull out over Christmas so he's stepping in. At this time of year there is usually not much sight reading involved because there are only so many arrangements of carols that can appear.

I am telling myself that next year will be easier because he'll be driving himself by then but I'm really struggling with all the driving at the moment. We have always had two musical taxis, my husband did all the brass band driving seeing as he was playing too and I did music centre/lessons/youth band/county/anything else. Now there's just me to drive in the dark to churches in odd places with no parking.

I'm feeling a bit sad for ds today. The whole NCO thing has really brought home how behind everyone his is, from starting lessons much later than other children.
He's made huge progress and plays really well BUT it feels like he's missed the boat for things like NCO; I can't see much point in him auditioning next year tbh, because it would be for U13s and even higher standard for strings. No matter how much he progresses in the next 10 months, he can't make up for the 2,3,4 years extra other children have on him.

Floottoot- progress doesn’t always go in a straight line, kids have dips, or progress really quickly.
I wouldn’t worry too much, and I would still re-audition for the NCO if he wants to.
Also, the main thing is that he’s enjoying playing 😀.
X

I echo what Paul says, Floot. Children develop differently, some benefit from starting early but not all. And even those who started early or developed quickly in their early stage, it doesn't mean they will outdo always. At least two JDs told me they run serious assessments at 12 or so for those who showed early promise as they are very much aware of dips and slow-down. At this point, someone who started early or progressed quickly earlier may have to leave, and those who started late or progressed slowly steadily may stay. You really never know how they turn out!

ICouldBe thinking of you and DS. I hope the carol concert goes well.

floot my DS missed the boat for NCO. He did not have access to tuned orchestral percussion lessons till he started secondary school and even though he was a competent drummer and snare player they would not even audition him. As you know, he's now at jd and considering a career in music. There´s nowhere that says "NCO or you'll never be good enough".

I forgot to congratulate everyone who has had good news but I can't make sense of anything in the NCO thread due to lack of time.
Also very well done miniwoolley and Waffle for great results!!!!!

icouldbe

Icouldbe, that must be so hard, on top of everything else you're coping with on your own.
I hope you can find some help and support to make life a little easier.

I know you're right, Paul, Kutik and drummer, and he is still only 11.
It's much harder being a mum of a musician that it is being a musician - I feel his disappointments much more than I felt my own growing up. I am having to wrestle with my own hopes for him and try to let him follow his own path - difficult!
He's moving up to the next size cello now so we have the fun of trying out various instruments to look forward to, at least.

Floot - DS2 didn't get anywhere for ages (nowhere near being ready even to audition for the training orchestra last year) and then suddenly progressed. It is highly non-linear. Your DS is only 11, and being a cellist (?) will soon really benefit from a big boost of extra height and strength.

It is natural to feel sad for our DCs when they have a disappointment. I hope you feel better soon.

Floot, I feel your pain really. Because DS was also considered to be a late starter as a violinist. I encountered so many negativish comments on this as if you've got to start very early with a famous teacher to be taken seriously. I am over it now. DS's first teacher may not be famous but he gave DS much needed steady foundation and love of music, so I wouldn't change how he started even if I could do. DS may not be as advanced as scarily talented musicians at his age, but he loves what he does and enjoys every moment of opportunities. I'm sure your is the same.

Enjoy the shopping! It must be exciting!

You are being so incredibly strong Icould. I hope that a support network starts to kick in, even with the odd journey reprieve to help you out a little over this difficult time.

icould

I could -thinking of you and yours x

I couldnt catch up with all news yet however just wanted to give Icould a really tight hug!!!

Icould have a big hug hope all the concerts go well x

icould sending big hugs. Doing it alone is tough, and I'm sure even tougher when you land suddenly in the situation and have so much else to deal with. Lots of love xx

Question- talk to me about other exciting summer music things for small musicians around the G4/5 mark

minimusicansmama what about procorda? No direct experience yet but in the process of finding out about it as DD will do regional NCO but not the age banded orchestra.

Can anyone recommend a book for a child to teach themselves chords on the acoustic guitar?