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.

We did our local festival for the first time in the instrumental classes last year, dd did well but missed out by not having an accompanist. We have learned for this time, but it will make it a much more expensive prospect to have a practice session, and then the classes. How do other people work this.

We have just had a fish tank removed and dd is keen that it is replaced by a piano. How nice that she has shown an interest, but not another instrument! Oh no, she says, I want you to learn so you can accompany me! At first I thought how silly, but can someone recommend a teach yourself those book for beginners? I'll give it a go on our keyboard and see how I get on but I have always wanted to learn!

Thanks for the info re AYM open day, I think it clashes with a potential school interview day and I'm also doubtful that dd will be a high enough standard so we will keep hunting for extra musical opportunities.

Wolley if I hear of any others I'll let you know . They also hold quite a few in high schools during the school day and both high school and older primary pupils attend .

Woolley the first book I used was Alfred's Basic Piano for Adults. I did about half the book with my teacher before moving onto other things but I reckon you could start off teaching yourself with it. Good luck!
As far as I can work out, DS1 has a concert on Tuesday, DS2 on Thursday and next week is the final one for instrument lessons before the holiday so definitely ready to wind down at this point.

We signed DS in for a mock test at a local study centre. We didn't know about them until quite recently but my teacher friend recommended that they were good to see where DS was as they would give all the details you would need to know such as ranking, percentage and exam papers they used with marks.

They've been running mock test regularly in the past 10 months or so starting with easier papers and building up to more challenging ones over the time. Some DCs have been taking them regularly to see the progress but DS just took their 2nd last ones so I was warned that they were meant to be quite tough. We got the results yesterday. DS scored near full mark for maths, writing was okay, but comprehension was.... He hasn't prepared much for this kind, and we were aware of that state primary wouldn't really go into depth and wouldn't teach any necessary technique for 11+ comprehension, but still it was .

The centre was sort of wow to DS's maths results, but said the private schools of our choice look for all-rounders so no matter high you score in one subject if you didn't well in another no chance.

We can do some work over the holiday, but part of me feel this is something to do with maturity so I don't really think any extra work will make huge difference at this stage. Lots DCs who were tutored and took the same mock seemed to struggle the maths paper (the average score was 69%) so it was comforting to know how good DS is in maths though.... I just wonder where those unbalanced kids can go if they like to go to an academic school? Or the reality is the world is meant to be unkind to unbalanced ones?

Tomorrow is the last day of JD and possibly no lesson until scholarship audition so we were going to discuss our practice plan with the teacher. But it seems like DS won't reach to the audition process I'm afraid!

The bright side of his life is his youth orchestra performance was great and DS got a praise for managing his solo part impressively very well. It was his very first solo line in the orchestra.

DS has football matches today and Sunday, and no more matches this term - that's great news to me!

woolley re festivals and accompanists, some festivals have 'official accompanists' who are on site all day, you usually pay a small amount on top of your entry fee per class to use them. The contact details for these accompanists are usually given in schedules so that you can arrange a rehearsal. It does make it more expensive, however this is the most cost-effective way to do it (unless you have a tame pianist in your family) because you will not be paying someone by the hour to be there just for your DD. This does depend on you being happy to use whoever is 'supplied' by the festival though. Another way is to find out maybe through your teacher who else is taking part in the festival and if particular accompanists are already going with others - it can be possible then to spread the cost between a few families. This can get tricky if classes clash/run late, but usually things can be juggled to make it work. My DD only does one or two festivals, but we are all extremely picky about who she will play with (after a bad experience a few years ago using soemone we didn't know who had been recommended by a friend). This means it can get expensive and can slightly dictate choice of classes - we couldn't ask someone to be there for a 9am and then nothing else until 5.30pm for example, if DD is the only one they are playing with. She will usually just do either a concerto class or recital class - so a worthwhile amount of playing but all at once. It's always worth ringing a few local accompanists to ask if they are going to be at a festival with any others, especially if your festival does not provide them.

kutik many congrats to your DS for his solo and his maths result.
Re the comprehension, you mean text comprehension - not the verbal /non-verbal stuff, right? I agree there's an element of maturity in it, but his school should be doing lots of text comprehension for the SATS, as it's an important part of the English exam. However I am also aware that it usually takes extra practice outside to get it right. It's a very prescriptive thing and quite boring for an 11 year old to be honest. Can't be compared to creative writing. I wouldn't be so sure about schools not wanting an outstanding mathematician whose English comprehension needs work. Not everyone is an all rounder and a high flier at everything at DS' school. Don't throw in the towel yet. Meanwhile, as his maths are so strong, how about working on comprehension during the holidays? There are lots of books out there with tips, practice and samples.

kutik just want to echo what drummers has said - although I teach older students English, I know that reading comprehension tests are always tricky at first until you have done a few - it's just a question of getting used to them. If he does a few more and listens to the feedback ( important bit!) I am sure he'll do fine. And well done to the young sir on his maths!

Thanks drummers and Loose.

His school was not so active in comprehension as long as I know. They only started handing out comprehensive homework this term (prob for SAT). They started using Schofield & Sims and DS has been using book 3/4. DS is lazy and always rushes to finish work he has no interest so usually makes one or two silly mistakes but seemed he knew what he was doing and doing alright for his age. So even though we all knew his English was not as strong as his maths I thought he would be alright in the mock. After I received the results I spoke to the centre and they said Schofield and Bond were too easy for 11+ preparation so wouldn't recommend practising with them. So basically he was doing alright because they were easy materials.

I was hoping schools would pay attention to his strong maths, but the study centre firmly told me one strong subject was not good enough. DS is also very strong at VR and NVR but unfortunately the school he applied for only tests maths, comprehension and composition.

We will work on comprehension during holiday, yes. But I must say those 'how competitive they were' kind of talk has weakened my positive energy...

We were recommended the CGP 11+ maths and NVR books for DDs scholarship exams and the Year 6 stretch English Comprehension. They have stood her in good stead and we have one offer already (all round scholarship) and further exams and assessments in January for another school.

Kutik73 - different schools look for different things in the children depending on their focus and their strategic ambition. It's a case of doing what you can and see what you are offered, don't try to predict or 2nd guess but stay positive. If there is an interview make sure you have rehearsed some potential questions so that your DC has some answers to draw on. The interview played a big part in the school we have been offered, which also included a verbal presentation.

Good luck!

This message was in the comments on the NCO Facebook post about audition outcomes

"There is no specific method for how the results are being sent out. So nobody should panic that because they haven't been the first to hear, it doesn't mean they are unsuccessful! I'm afraid it's a waiting game, but we hope to have everybody informed by the middle of next week" (by email)

Wind, congratulations on your DD's success! And, thank you so much for the wise words from experience... I'll keep my hope up. Some miracles may happen. Interestingly, DS is an avid reader and his vocabularies and spelling are a way above his age. Yet his comprehension is very poor (I now wonder if he really understands what he is reading!) and writing is okay but could've been better especially as he says he enjoys writing (becoming a novelist is one of his million dreams). I feel as his maturity grows, something will 'click' then he may actually be brilliant at the subject. But unfortunately some DCs grow slowly and 11 plus won't wait for them!

Kutik there is a very specific way they are supposed to answer these things using quotes to support the points they make etc. They don’t teach it at state primary (well not at my daughter’s anyway). I think it is more year 7 stuff.

It’s just a method and I am sure your son could pick it up very fast. I would suggest a few one to one sessions with a secondary school
English teacher between now and the exam to try to nail it.

Chelsea young writers also run great 11 plus English courses with proper teachers. However with such a short amount of time left to prepare I would go for a tutor if possible.

DS and I went to a performance of the Elgar cello concerto, by Steven Isserlis last night. It was the first time DS had seen a pro cello soloist live, so very special and made even more so by Steven playing a piece DS is currently learning as the encore; DS's teacher was playing in the irchestra and as soon as he played the opening bar, she looked over to DS with a huge grin on her face.
It's clearly left quite an impression on DS - he askes to practise tonight, despite being absolutely exhausted after another hectic week and not enough sleep last night. 😊😊😊

That sounds great, Floot! So uplifting!

Thanks Charish for another great advice. Maybe I should have looked into tutoring earlier but I kind of decided against it. I was going to do some work at home but DS has hardly had time to sit down for a proper work cos we kept all his activities full-on as before. Half of me think he is going to state secondary anyway, and perhaps that made me less active on the 11+ preparation even though I knew some work has to be done if we let him try. Not sure if we did right thing. We may regret for the lack of preparation. I don't know... I know this is my stupid nature - the more competitive things get, the less energy I feel. DH is opposite. Not sure about DS, but he is very similar to me in many ways (not ability but personality)...

I think we won't go for a private tutor. It's hard to find a good one at the last minute and 11+ tutors around us are very expensive. We will do some work at home. This way DS will have less pressure also, I guess.

I must say I feel like crying really to have got such supportive posts. It's a music thread so I was going to moan a bit and quickly vanish. Didn't expect I get such kind words and sharing. Thank you all.

Hi everyone,

I am new to mumsnet, recently signed up due to lurking on the Nco 2018 thread and as I just found this thread, I thought I would say hi. I have a DD1 in Y4 who plays the violin (passed grade 4, working on grade 5), a DS in Y2 who is grade 1 on the violin and a DD2 in reception who is keen to start an instrument. DD1 has just persuaded me to start the oboe and I am slightly dreading the second instrument. For us it is all a balance as our children also are sports mad, DD1 on netball and DS on football, both plays these sports within and outside school and we seem to manically rush between music, sports and play dates...

Looking forward to getting to know everyone. X

Hi Coffee, I think I saw a post or two from you on the NCO thread. Good choice from your DD on the oboe front! DD1 has played oboe since Year 4 although she added alto sax. All about the reeds here as DD2 plays bassoon.

Good luck with the NCO result next week. Trying hard to ignore it now....

You know when you have one of those moments that takes you aback rather .... my timehop brought up this time last years photos of her first ever clarinet solo, on the school Christmas music festival. She played one of her g2 pieces. In this past year, she's joined the intermediate wind band, been moved up a wind band with the other music service, played in the Albert hall, won festival solo classes, started JD, won a future talent bursary and auditioned for the NCO. This year for the Christmas music festival, she's playing a grade 5 piece. In the madness of this existence I sometimes forget just how much this kid amazes me.....

Hi coffee welcome . Fingers crossed for nco too . I am also trying hard not to worry think about it till Monday ( though I did have a "I wonder if they've sent an email ?" moment when I finished work yesterday - obviously they hadn't). Kutik I'm sure you have made the right decision re tutoring for your ds. There's no right or wrong way to go about it - I guess it just depends on what you're after and the whole London secondary application scene sounds so stressful. I do also think that if parents have to spend so much time prepping their children for entrance tests are they really going to. be happy and thrive when they're there or are they going to have to maintain that level of work for the next 7 years - then again I might be being naive.Your ds has loads to offer and I would have thought that some schools would definitely see his potential even if he doesn't quite nail the comprehension tests. He will get there with that and it is just a bit of practice. Ds was exactly the same well read and articulate but in year 6 really wasn't so good at comprehension tests. We did a bit at home for SATS prep because I just knew he could do better and that school would be concentrating on the old borderline level 4s not the potential level 5s. We really didn't do much he won't do anything for me ( this is why he still hasn't done his music theory😆) . And it worked - got the same scores for maths and comprehension on what was known to be a really tricky paper . He will be fine and wherever he goes he sounds like the sort of child who will make the most of everything. Good luck !!

Kutik,

Comprehension was miniprada's Achilles heel too. I disagree that bond is too easy if you use the 12-13 years old books. And you have the answers to hand. As others have said, they are looking for the language nuances which you can only gain by a wide reading 'diet' and reading out loud for 20mins every day. That way you can quiz minikutik on his understanding of the metaphors/similes etc. Miniprada is a speed reader so doesn't read every word carefully and this is a problem for comprehension work. Comprehension texts can be from literally any text. Miniprada had one from a dystopian novel for one exam which was 'never let me go' - which for 10/11 year olds is a bit odd IMO. With the time left I would do the following: 1. There is often a word in the passage they need to 'deduce'. He should take a highlighter with him and use it on all the words he doesn't know. Make a list of old fashioned jobs like costermonger/chandler etc and check he knows what they do. Like a bookmaker doesn't make books (lol) so that if this is the word he needs to decipher or needs to dechipher the era/area the passage is set he can. You would generally only find a chandlery by the sea for example. 2. Get a wide variety of books - usbourne classics retold are good. Chat about the writing styles etc. 3. Practice. That is all comprehension is! get security on grammar so that the easy marks are in the bag and ensure he checks the available marks for the question. 'Give 3 examples of...' type questions which are worth 6 marks means he needs to locate the phrase/text/word and then evidence why it is an example of the thing. Many children don't understand this, then you might gain easy marks.4. All the answers are in the text! Many children forget this and go off on a tangent. 5. Other posters are quite correct, it is not all hanging on one paper so he can afford to do less well in one or two. The chances are, if he is called back for a scholarship, he will be quizzed further in the area of perceived weakness.

One final point, mock texts are excellent only if they are a good representation of the exact type of questions your child will face on the day. Every school entrance exam is different and good mock centres will not just take your money for general papers but highly specific ones designed to replicate what your child will face on the day. Mocks should be about building confidence and identifying areas of weakness not leave you feeling like all hope is lost! If the school you are sitting does not release sample papers, you should take with a large pinch of salt the advice you have been given and congratulate yourself for having such a talented little chap that any school would welcome with open arms.

Sorry - just realised this was nothing to do with music!!

Maybe not Prada, but wise words all the same

prada don't you know? It's ALL about music

Another long time lurker here but inspired to join by the mention of some other oboes. Dd2 (10) has just started as she wanted to do an orchestral instrument. I think she is doomed to be the only one in our area as the council doesn't offer it. After doing recorders for a couple of years she is making rapid progress. Just getting used to the cost of reeds!

Should have introduced the others- ds1 12 does piano doing gr3 , not an exam fan, more freestyle!, Dd2 does piano and oboe, waiting for gr2 piano results, and recorders, dd3 does piano, dabbles with recorder but would like to do cello. (When I recover from the cost of buying an oboe I will consider it!). They are not super high fliers like many on here but work hard at it and enjoy it.

Horsey enjoying music is the whole point surely !!
Just found the crumpled letter for ds's Christmas concert where he has a solo spot tickets are "limited" !?! to 400 ( plus then all the school freebue ones ) yikes I don't feel stressed about this at all but at least ds seems quite calm about it so far !