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Extra-curricular activities

Find advice on the best extra curricular activities in secondary schools and primary schools here.

Original poster

February Music Thread

525 replies

Wafflenose · 01/02/2018 22:06

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).

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TaggieOHara · 11/02/2018 22:46

Welcome juggling - lovely to hear about your talented DS!

kutik if mini-Kutik feels like something a bit slushy, he might enjoy Salut d'Amour (E major version). DS2 is having a lot of fun with it. He enjoys being 'allowed' to mess about with the rhythm! I am taking note of the discussion, as after a school concert in a couple of weeks, we too will be in the market for a new 'fun' piece. The boy paganini looks like a good bet. I don't think DS2 is quite ready for the Thais or Czardas.

catkind · 11/02/2018 23:22

Taggie, was just going to say Elgar for easier but lovely and effective. There's the Chanson de Matin/Chanson de Nuit too. Or the Mazurka is fun. (Is it the? I only know one...)

folkmamma · 12/02/2018 08:12

We've just purchased all three of those Elgar's.... but she's opted for Idylle from the G6 syllabus. Love a bit of Elgar!

AlexandraLeaving · 12/02/2018 08:39

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se22mother · 12/02/2018 08:46

Thanks Alex, it is the last one. I will call just flutes when they open

AlexandraLeaving · 12/02/2018 08:48

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catkind · 12/02/2018 19:06

Still thinking about fun violin music. There's some fairly easy arrangements of some of the Brahms Hungarian dances for violin, they're fun to play. And Scott Joplin ragtimes. (There are some hard arrangements of both of those too though!)

Kutik73 · 12/02/2018 19:09

Thanks Taggie and also cat for more suggestions. I have no idea of the level of difficulty but will check them all!

We visited luthier No. 2 today and brought back another one home. Luckily it's insured this time...

DS was so fascinated by their work that he told me he might want to be a violin maker. He always stated how beautiful violin was and it's been always one of his answers when he's asked why he likes violin so much. He might do well in the area! At least he has plenty time even to start any training unlike trying to be a violinist!

It doesn't sound he'll be rich though if the choices are violinist or violin maker!

Kutik73 · 12/02/2018 19:12

Ooh just read your post cat! Amazing you know so many! Are you a violin teacher/violinist? As I said before I am a total novice (I probably know more piano pieces than violin ones) so please keep posting any suggestions. I'm sure others find it very interesting and helpful.

Paulweller11 · 12/02/2018 19:33

Hoodies are on sale - NCO

folkmamma · 12/02/2018 20:01

PW thanks for the tip off!!!! Noo was very glad last year’s still fit her yesterday at SW rehearsal but she’s extremely eager for a new one....

Went back to our luthier today - lovely new Larsen C string on Moll’s cello which seems to have fixed the ‘woolly-ness’ we were struggling with. Possibly over-kill on a 1/4 size cello fo a child that is only just past G2, but hey-ho. At least we now have a nice sound from the C and she’s not getting frustrated with it.

Noo’s poorly violin is staying with him while we are on holiday this week to shore up the nauseating crack. We’ve decided on a temporary fix to see her through until she needs a 3/4 in a few months time. Then it will get sorted properly when we part-ex the violin. Fortunately it seems we unknowingly picked up a bit of a bargain, so even with lots of restoration work to be done it is still worth what we paid for it.

Off on holibobs now - we are going to France to hurl ourselves down a slippery mountainside. Hopefully we will all return with no damage to upper limbs!!!!!!! (Teacher’s orders!!)

2ndSopranos · 12/02/2018 20:38

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folkmamma · 12/02/2018 21:12

Oh 2nd, sounds like she's got herself in a right pickle! Has it only been the last few days or over a long period that she's been feeling like this?? Is it her first exam?? How old??

Very tricky to advise... I guess if it was mine I'd try and take the focus off pass/fail and more onto what an achievement it is to have gotten this far and reinforce that all she can do is her best. We went through a time with Noo (around G3 actually!) where she just couldn't seem to pull it off on the day, and although she was playing at a very high level there was always a wobble that left her disappointed. Lots of playing in front of people (literally, ANYONE!!) has helped develop more steely nerves and she now seems to be through it.

We also reward effort and not results, so as soon as exam/performance/milestone is done we head straight to ToysRUs regardless of outcome.

Have you tried videoing her performing and watching it back with her?? Although may not help if she has a tendency to be very self-critical.

You will get her through it, it sounds like she will do well and then it's a positive experience in the bank for the future x

2ndSopranos · 12/02/2018 21:27

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folkmamma · 12/02/2018 21:37

Bless her! That is dedication... my 10 yr old is positively ecstatic about leaving hers behind this week....

Hopefully it's just a phase and she will work it through. I guess all you can do is what you already are!

Kutik73 · 12/02/2018 21:41

I am a bit envious with your DD being so self-critical and a perfectionist although it may be painful for the parents to see her being so hard on herself. DS is a total opposite. He is so positive and optimistic - it's a great nature and it is his strength as well. But he will never reach his maximum potential because of this. A bit of self-criticism is a great tool to push the boundaries. You can keep reassuring her how proud you are with what she has achieved and so on, which I am sure you are already doing. Smile

catkind · 12/02/2018 22:13

Kutik, think how much repertoire your DS is likely to get through between now and 18 - that was me or thereabouts. I didn't study music so have mostly done chamber and orchestral music since then. Also quite a few friends with older kids playing so I take an interest in what they're doing. And pick up random stuff from charity shops.

Though of another fun one, friend's favourite for weddings etc: Ashokan Farewell. Sort of Scottish folk style, nice and easy. Anyone know that?

These days I'm trying to learn some viola repertoire so if anyone has any must have suggestions for viola...

I remember one of my youth orchestra friends getting to do work experience at a violin shop/ violin maker's (might have merged into a summer job, I don't remember exactly), it looked amazing - he got to actually make a violin.

Nigglenotes · 12/02/2018 22:23

2nd, my daughter does this. She has been weeping three days in a row over The Boy Paganini. Her tuning is great, but she is now convinced her timing is all wrong and she is terrible. Her new teacher pointed out that she was cutting off particular notes too soon, like end notes, and now she is convinced that she doesn't know what a quaver is.. I am hoping this is part of the process. She is also ten and working on grade 6. What I have found helpful sometimes is to find a few YouTube videos of whatever grade piece, both good and bad to introduce a bit of perspective.

catkind · 12/02/2018 22:27

2ndsopranos, do you think recording her so she can listen back could help? Or would she just criticise that? Then she can also hear how much better it's got when you record again a couple of weeks later.

I'm also wishing we could instil a bit of self-criticism in DS who is taking grade 1 piano this term. Not convinced he's at pass level yet...

Kutik73 · 12/02/2018 22:46

cat, it may be boys' thing?? Obviously not all the boys are like that but must say girls tend to be harder on themselves and usually hard working than boys.

Niggle, do you think her previous teacher's occasional insensitive attitude has something to do with your DD feeling wobbly about her? I hope not. Your YouTube idea is great.

I have to check Ashokan Farewell. Scottish folk style sounds great. I watched Sheku playing a Bob Marley's song on his cello. I loved it. It's fun to venture outside of classical repertoires.

Kutik73 · 12/02/2018 22:53

A luthier said to DS he could do work experience when he is a bit older. DS is believing his words and thinks he is going there. Grin

Original poster
Wafflenose · 12/02/2018 23:08

I'm not spending much on Rara's birthday presents this year (with her agreement) because I gave her the last £50 towards her laptop (she spent two years saving up for it herself). But I've got her Sheku's CD... signed! She has no idea. I think she will love it! I will get her a few other bits and bobs, but it's not until May.

OP posts:
Nigglenotes · 12/02/2018 23:11

Transitional stuff, I think Kutik. New teacher, new rules, different lesson format. Different expectations. DD has been very strong on tone and timing is okay but clearly not good enough. Not perfect, or a match with her other skills.

Counting madly under her breath, possibly also slightly furious, but mostly discombobulated and leaking confidence.

So exhausting DD2 hasn't played her violin for five days!

Nigglenotes · 12/02/2018 23:18

May, it's not yet mid Feb!

Kutik73 · 12/02/2018 23:27

I've got something for DS's birthday too and his birthday is in June... Blush

Waffle, Sheku's CD with his signature is fab!