February Music Thread

[Wafflenose]

Have a new thread for February!

This is a place for our ongoing conversation about music, instruments, lessons, ensembles, scales, practice, exams, aural, theory and whatever else you'd like to talk about. Everyone is welcome - new and older members, beginners and advanced.

I have two daughters - Goo (12) flute and piano, in a bit of a slump at the moment, and Rara (9) cello, clarinet and recorder (yes, she's picked it up again) on a roll at the moment. I teach woodwind and have my own little clarinet group called the B Flat Blues, who don't rehearse together regularly, but played in a festival this week.

I also have quite a bit of news, mostly good, but am so tired that it will have to wait until tomorrow now. Hopefully it's worth waiting for (and before anyone asks, no, Goo didn't get the desire of her heart).

I'm attracted to colourful cases. I think it's easier to spot but also I like the look. But DS is only interested in shiny case like gold and silver. He always ALWAYS likes gold, silver, titanium and diamonds... Zero idea why... Sure they must be easy to spot too...

kutik your DS and mine would get on so well. He too loves plenty of bling. I'll post a clip on the new channel illustrating this (are you there yet?) Thankfully he does not yet know anything about Diamond-entrusted violin accessories

For taggie's DS: www.bling4strings.co.uk

Which channel is it? I'm a bit confused as there seem to be two channels to share - one set up by mini and another by folk?

There is a violin made of titanium by the way. And one covered with Swarovski crystals.

folk, not sure if Mini has set it up already but just I remember she was talking about it. Sorry if I am creating unnecessary confusion!

Hi Folk - just to let you know have just joined up!

Yay! Lovely 😊

Maybe all trumpet players have a love of bling?! My DS loves gold and sparkles. I think its shininess is what nailed the trumpet for him. He was always drawn to the sound, but when he saw a picture of one, he was truly in love!

Guys, I am asking MN to remove the post with the link in to keep the site private. Sorry! If you message me or other members privately we can add you. X

Oh my goodness cat DS2 would love that . Have posted a suitably blingy clip on Folk's channel.

Ha! Taggie!!!! What a little star 😍

Kutik, 're cases - have a look at the Gewa air cases. We have been recommended them over the Bam cases by Cardiff Violins. Not cheap, but seriously good, I understand from talking to professionals who have them. DS has opted for a white one, because the difference between that and a different colour is 11° in the heat - pretty important for string instruments! The cello case also has a reflective strip on it and steel bar reinforcement over the bridge area. They are pretty slim line cases, too.

folk the (wonderful) head of music commented afterwards that he could 'never unsee

Thanks for the info Floot. Gewa and BAM looks so similar to me. Do you know what is the difference between them? Which model did you get for your DS? I like a white coloured case but apparently the BAM's white case gets scratched easily and gets shabby rapidly. How's Gewa?

Oh sorry! You mentioned the model in the post!

Hello all, haven't posted in a while as not much happening here musically, but dd does appear to be improving academically, which is taking so much stress away, I can't tell you.
Busy with options and made a huge improvement with English, she can't get enough

Anyway, as it's mostly violinists posting atm, I came across this little gem, and if anybody's dc want another instrument.......

Gilly, glad to hear about your DD's academic improvement. I know exactly what you mean! My DD seems so similar to yours, just 2 years older so GCSEs coming up.

Busy times for mine with concerts and assessments this term then GCSEs next term. Can't believe my baby is moving into 6th form in a matter of months.

Thanks Truffle

It has been a worry, most people have to worry about a good mix of options to gain a place at a top uni, but we have always known that wouldn't be the case with dd.
The grades she will need are quite low, so it appears some of the worry has gone.
You still want them to reach their potential though, whatever that may be.
Mine has annual assessment coming up they have 2 per year but one for technical and other for jazz, think this one is Jazz.

Time goes so quickly, I know. My eldest was 26 this year and it seems like yesterday he fit between elbow and fingertips.

DD has technical assessment tomorrow but she is well prepared, performance one later in the year. She is taking 8 GCSEs and is very dyslexic but has improved a lot and will be ok without setting the world alight.

She should be ok to do well enough to get into music college, performance is her strong point. Classical rather than Jazz in her case.

That was lovely gilly
However we're just getting to grips with the double bass and im not sure we're in the market for å third study for anyone 😉..... although dh doesnt play anything......

Dd2 is learning 'from gagarins point of view' which is gorgeous on flute and bass. Clearly she can't play them similtaneously so no idea what the plan is there

Gilly that's a wonderful piece, thanks for posting!
I'm so pleased things are working out academically for your dd - I remember you were so worried. She deserves to do well and I'm sure she will!

gilly, a great clip, so inspiring!

DS''s back to school today. We didn't go away this half term, just pottering around local (and violin shops!). But it was lovely and relaxing for DS who usually has little down time. I just checked his schedule and realised he's got three piano performances, a choral concert, and a piano exam within the next two weeks, on top of two school visits (a taster day for the offer holders) and football matches... He'd better get back to action asap!

I'm off to return a violin to a shop today. DS liked it most a week ago but not any more! We still have three at home...

I've just noticed I missed one out! He's got a quartet performance also, which is his debut in the chamber music world. When can he practise and prepare for those commitments all of which are happening in the next two weeks...?