March Music Thread

[Wafflenose]

Welcome to the new thread for March! I am typing this from home rather than having to go to work - snow days all round. We currently have 1cm, but there are red warnings for wind and for snow later today, so it's going to be horrendous.

This is a place to talk about all things musical, whether you or your DCs are learning. We have lots of followers, from beginners to advanced, and everyone is welcome!

I am a teacher of recorder, clarinet, flute and saxophone, and have two DDs. Goo is 12 and having a fabulous time at secondary. She is Grade 8+ on the flute but not taking the exam until braces are off (and I think her teacher is holding out until she thinks Goo can get full marks or something) and around Grade 5 piano - no performances or exams yet and terrified of anyone hearing her, so that's getting to be a slight problem. Rara is 9 and between Grades 3 and 4 on both cello and clarinet. She's taking Grade 3 Clarinet this term so that when she goes off to the NCO in the summer, she doesn't have to tell other children that's she's only done Grade 1!

I think leaving any activity/club/teacher/friends after a long years of commitment from a very young age is quite overwhelming.

Yes we are sad that DS is finally leaving his first and only piano teacher very soon. But he is also leaving his swimming/football/tennis/French clubs all of which he started when he was tiny and they all played an important role in his development. He grew up with them. He is probably leaving a youth orchestra too which he started only a year ago but already feel like a big part of his life. So basically he is leaving all the things that made him who he is. Last year he left two important places (cubs and Saturday school of my country) to join the youth orchestra and jd and it was already so hard. Not sure how I feel and handle this time around!

I still keep his cub's uniform and the school bag for the Saturday school in his closet. I don't think I can throw away his kits and books he used for all the clubs he has been in for years.

Finally on Easter holidays - feel as though have been limping for ages to get to this weekend!

Alexandra & Hapsburg - many congratulations to your DCs on their JD places!

Welcome to crucru

Well done to Windmum's DD on her festival successes and folkmamma - I really hope Noo's fingers are on the mend in time for her audition!

DS played his first piano solo in a concert at school this week. I was ridiculously nervous for him as I thought the piece he had been given to play was too difficult but he did fab and had so many lovely comments afterwards. He said he 'had a blast' and he 'would always remember this day' .

Theory results were also out this week - DD had 96 for Grade 2 and DS had 98 for Grade 1.

We are away at my parents this week but have brought some theory books and the recorders with us to torment my parents with!

We are only at home for 4 days over the Easter break so am planning a mini practice boot camp over those 4 days to try and get some scales cracked.

Ooooh! My Laubach rosin arrived.

It came with a really nice cleaning cloth and a Mozart chocolate!! I gobbled the chocolate, was very nice!!

I also bought the Salchow rosin online. First one was damaged in transit. Broken in two and bottom shattered. They immediately sent replacement.

So now both DDs have nice rosin, and the broken one will do as a spare once I clean it up.

I’ll report back after girls try their new rosin, hopefully later this evening.

Big yays to Japanese minis.

MomOfTwo, I was going to ask anyone who has tried Salchow the feedback. Please let us know! I bought Taggie's favourite (sorry forgot the name). Haven't tried yet and may not be able to try for the next one month (for the reason below...).

Finally Easter holiday here too. DH and DS set off to their usual boys holiday this morning. They will do lots wild stuff which are beyond my imagination so I don't normally ask the details. The rain doesn't stop them being outside. Only thing I know is I will be a serious laundry lady when they are back.

DS happily left his instrument as he has entered his physical fitness enthusiast phase.

When he is in this away-from-playing-instruments phase, it doesn't mean he has less interest in music. He probably doesn't realise himself but he is almost always singing and humming and it seems melodies and tunes never stop in his head. He notices and talks about modulations and chords and any thoughts on the music he happens to listen to (on the radio, in a shop, even game music!), as if he is talking about weather. His brain and mind hardly abandon music! But what this phase mean is he is less interested in being an instrumentalist. Zero music playing has been planed ahead.

However, sometimes being away from physical practice like this helps taking him to the next level or understand/see things he couldn't see before so hopefully this phase is not harmful!

People often say that you shouldn't think of a music career unless you can't live without, and/or unless you can't see any alternative or interest other than music. Well, DS cannot live without music - ticked. Music is certainly in a special place in his heart. But. He does have enormous interest in many other areas, and like now, he can go without touching his violin/piano for a long period because other things are keeping him busy and filling his mind.

So he is not a good example nor candidate who want to pursue a musical career, isn't he? Interestingly he doesn't really like the label of 'all-rounder'. But sadly (for him) he is a typical all-rounder...

He will find his way Kutik and it sounds like he will have a great time away !! I think it's good that he has lots of other interests too. Ds is a bit older and a bit more single track focussed . And yes in a lot of ways playing the trumpet seems to have chosen him rather than the other way round . He is currently fighting an ear infection which means he can't play and he is kind of panicking by about not being able to practise. Fingers crossed it's better for NCO though he has admitted that he has to look at the bigger picture. But he has literally asked me when 24 hours are going to be up so he could have another go at playing !! He also though likes to be busy and so if he had to take a break would quickly fill his time with sport and piano !! I think it's healthy to have lots of interests

Doing lots of different activities, hm, yes. Just difficult when the various clubs all want dc to increase hours....and lots of matches/performances etc clash and which one to choose from then....

dc off to a music residential course and getting a bit worried she is not going to be quite up to their standard...

What course is that found?? Mini-folk and Mini-Taggie are both off to Pro Corda primary tomorrow....

well, as my name says, paranoid about being found out, but i's in a way related to Waffle so quite "specialised"

Found -I’m sure they wouldn’t have accepted your dc if they wouldn’t be able to cope. Course leaders are very experienced at catering to a range of experience levels. I was similarly worried at my DS2 going to a chamber music course last summer, as a poor sightreader with zero ensemble experience. But he had a fab time and managed fine. The leaders pitched the music level just right to be fun and interesting, but tractable. DS2 also learnt loads from the more experienced players.

Good luck with it!

Ooh - forgot to congratulate Japanese’s minis. Great results

kutik - I hope DS enjoys his interlude! He has done so much music lately that he has a lot to process. Focus on sport seems like a healthy way forward... I bet he returns after Easter even better than ever!! There is always a need for balance. After all, Heifetz prided himself on being a demon ping pong player

Trumpet (and woodwind and brass players who may be interested)

Ordinary compressible/disposable earplugs are generally unsuitable for players of reeded woodwind and brass instruments because of the occlusion effect. The occlusion effect can be explained as follows;

Our ear emit vibrations that escape via the ear canal. If the ear canal is blocked, as with an earplug, the vibrations don't have a chance to escape and create a boomy effect that is particularly disconcerting for brass and wind players and singers. This could potentially damage hearing further as the sound cannot escape as it should and this affects the balance of the sound.

There are two ways of dealing with the occlusion effect;

• use deep-fitted custom-moulded earplugs which reach into the inner bony portion of the ear canal and so reduce potential vibration and jaw resonance; or
• use earplugs with vents that allow the trapped low-frequency sound escape.

When blowing their instruments, wind and brass players experience their own sound aurally, but also via the skull-bones conducting the vibrations from the instrument to the ears, as they play. Using earplugs can effect this balance as the musician's ear hears less treble sound while experiencing more brass sound via bone conduction. The bass-treble distortion can be extreme. This will be strange for the player, can take some to get used to and will vary from one individual to another. This is why it is important to invest in the right ear plugs for you and to acclimatise.

There is a misconception among some woodwind and brass players that it is not possible to wear earplugs due to the build-up of pressure in the ear and the risk of further damage to the ear canal. This has no basis in fact. With the correct earplugs, with patience and sufficient acclimatisation, brass and woodwind players will find they are able to wear appropriate earplug and have no need to worry that they will suffer further damage to their ears.

DS suffers from ear infections a lot too and also we are currently investigating the right earplugs.

Very sorry for the long post! If any of you is interested to read about tips on acclimating to ear plugs I'll write about it too!

Taggie

Crucru I supervised dd's practise until she did grade 7 at age 11. I helped her to prepare for grade 8, but otherwise she has been mainly left alone except for popping in to offer unwanted advice occasionally.
I am still supervising 11 yr old ds's practise of two instruments and probably will need to help him out for longer. Suzuki here!

Thanks for that Kutik. I think vented may be the way to go but we will have to take ent advice because of his ear surgery . All of his tutors have pretty much said that plugs are awful to play with but I think ds's generation may be the first to have to learn to play with them in a bit more in the light of this weeks case . Fingers crossed his ear feels better today - as usual timing is everything !! but the doctor yesterday said both ear drums look great so I'm quietly hopeful . I wouldn't mind but he had even swapped pe sessions so he didn't have to play rugby this term as he was trying to avoid Pre NCO injuries .. Though he played hockey !?! and it turns out he's rather good at that too - PE department said he should find a team ( oh how nice to be good at so much ) his usually very chilled teacher drew the line at this though . The potential for too many mouth and finger injuries I think . But I know what you mean Taggie about it getting tricky when they are good at lots of things he is a good all rounder but ( thankfully for me and the taxi / general PA service that I provide) he has very much chosen to specialise in music - I just said he could do whatever he wanted but there were only so many hours in a day . I think he is looking forward to more cricket this term though ( again I keep thinking of injuries !!) as they don't do at lot of music at school because of exams - the PE department just seem to carry on . Ds has always loved cricket - as does his trumpet teacher so he encourages him to play this !!
Taggie I bet your dd has a great time on her course
Great results Japanese

I meant found not Taggie !!
Hope those coming this way for Pro Corda have a lovely week . Ds loved staying there which they do sometimes for AYM . I think the violin player that we know who goes can't this time because if a clash with another ensemble .

DS loves cricket also. Do you think it's risky before important concert/exam/audition? DS's new school plays lots of rugby. I am not vert thrilled with it.

I am very much happy with swimming. It's a great sport physically, but also no much risk for instrument players and easy laundry. But the school doesn't have a swimming pool - shame!

I got a message from DS telling me they went 5 miles run before breakfast today. They are playing golf now, and jumping in a pool with diving boards (they LOVE diving) before dinner. I cannot keep up with their energy level so glad I am staying at home.

I am sure miniTaggie and minifolk and others who go away to a music course will have a great time. Looking forward to hearing how it went!

Hi, just want to join in with the ear plug conversation.
yes, you do need to wear them whatever instrument you play.
It isn't just your instrument or those that are around you.
Acoustics and amplification can take its toll too.
they are really strict with this at dd school, they are given free ones and there are dispensers throughout the school.
They have an annual hearing test too.

Thanks for clarifying this gilly. As Trumpet said, our DCs' generation is different from the older ones. It's great many organisations are encouraging to make it aware of this and educating DCs how to protect their ears. My text above are from a leaflet NYO was distributing last year.

gilly, your DD's school encourages DCs to wear earplugs during individual practice as well? Or is it only during orchestra/band rehearsal/concert?

Gilly I think that's a really good idea re the hearing test . Ds is currently sitting inhaling steam he managed a very short ( for him ) trumpet practise today not too bad ( hard to tell with ds really) but still trying to sort out his sinuses . Every time he has an exam or some other lovely playing opportunity I spend the week before hoping that he will be fit enough to take part !!

Dd violinist never wears ear defenders/ear plugs.....
Dd percussionists always wears ear defenders when playing the drums, and will often wear ear plugs when playing timps.

DD1 never wears earplugs either, was beginning to think it was just her! I do find her freebies artfully draped around the house regularly on their complementary lanyard but have never seen them out of the case or in the ears. She only plays in smallish string ensembles though so I assume I should be preparing to take a harder line from next year, when this may change, ie. when she'd sitting in front of a brass section potentially?