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!

Thanks for sharing them Kutik, it was a treat to hear him! Was Mini-Kutik not happy about being a MN/Cluster star!? Xx

Kutik Thanks. At the moment, I am quite motivated and am practising most days. I really notice a difference and that keeps me going! It probably won't last though. Very reassuring about not needing an amazing piano as well - your DS did well to get so far wihout one!

DD earns a point on a chart every time she practises. I do get what people are saying about not making it into something that needs to be rewarded, but I have always been the sort of person who, as soon as I have to do something, doesn't want to do it any more. E.g. When studying English Lit, set books came up that I had always wanted to read. As soon as I had a deadline, I suddenly didn't want to read them any more. Was usually fine once I got started. When I lose motivation myself, I will "reward" myself too with something like chocolate or going out for coffee or something. Anyway, I guess any method that works is great.

Thank you again for your kind words, folk and Prada.

DS was rather grumpy when he played those three pieces in the video and apparently it's shown in the sound/how he played according to DS so he never really liked them to be shared openly.

Also he doesn't like himself associated to what I write here. He doesn't read MN obviously nor he doesn't know it's MN where I am posting. But he knows I am talking about him and doesn't mind as long as it doesn't identify him.

So when I upload something I have to take it down after a while (he agreed)... I appreciate we have such a lovely network and enjoy listening to other DCs so I would like to continue sharing when I can and as much as I can.

Well, that's fair enough! (Although Mini Kutik didn't sound grumpy to me 😘) Perhaps Hapsburg can share how she made the lovely audio recording with the cute picture attached?? Perhaps he (and other similarly inclined DC's) would feel better about sharing that way x

Ps I also get told off about sharing recordings of my DD's on Facebook all the time, by them and also DH! They don't know about Cluster yet....

DS has his grade 5 cello exam next week, and I have a flute pupil taking grade 5 this week.
Would anyone like me to start a separate thread for those on the exam bench?
I always enjoy reading the ones on the ABRSM teachers' forum, so thought I'd ask.

Curly, I admire those with positive learning spirit. Good luck in your wonderful journey with piano! And yes I agree the method doesn't matter as long as it works! I know a very successful violinist who practised hard when he was at around 10 because he wanted to impress the girl he liked who also played violin. It seems to have worked very well!

folk, your DH sounds very sensible. My DH often asks DS when he'll start his own Youtube channel and why he is not doing yet. He is steadily on the right track for becoming one of those annoying and embarrassing daddies to teens...

folk, I didn't notice any grumpiness in the sound neither. But after DS told me and I listened to them again I could see what he meant! They were all rather attacky and punchy than his normal playing.

Folk, such a great idea. But I think I've already missed the boat as DS's exam is tomorrow! Good luck with all taking exams!

folk ditto with my DH. He loyally 'likes' photographs of the boys on Facebook but sighs and shakes his head every time

kutik my DS1 is similar to mini-Kutik about sharing of videos, and is generally suspicious of social media, which is why I haven't shared any of him yet.

I have now worked out a way of putting audio under a photograph. First you extract the audio using the free video to audio app, then you can can put it together with a still photograph on iMovie. It was quite fiddly though. Probably hapsburg's method is better!

FOLK = Floot!!!

Prada your comment about motivating your mini - kind of the same here
We a bit like drummers don't really do reward charts here but it definitely works for some .
Ds definitely won't let me video him and then share it , he becomes incredibly self critical of recordings ( though he does use them to help him focus his practice) and can never see past any mistakes that he can identify !! We have just about convinced him to record himself for his grandparents now but this is once in a blue moon - and only when a piece is super ready !!

I can't even motivate DD2 to put her shoes on...

I missed to see minKutik, hopefully next time he agrees. My younger ones are happy for me to video them and share. Eldest on his horn less so, only if a piece is ready and fully polished.
Reward charts for practice work very well only for my baby DS.

I'm not entirely sure how I managed to make the photo/audio file thing - but if I can do it then really anyone can, I am rubbish with technology - I can't even work our television!!
I just googled combine picture and audio file and picked the method that looked the most straightforward to follow.

Gosh... I have to see a luthier with DS today. DS has a swimming class this evening so we have to see the luthier after that (40 mins driving one way...). It's gonna be another long and winding day... Lots of news on our violin hunting I would like to share with those who are interested!! I'll update my thread when I have energy to explain the details. Violin hunting is exciting but also EXHAUSTING!!

Kutik - I am also only allowed to share briefly hence also took down my video; will try the audio method next time!

No rewards here either - totally unmotivated by pocket money etc as never gets time to shop (apparently!)

Kutik - did you’d exide re school?

kutik don't worry I always did post temporarily in the old youtube thing and here too. School decision, violin decision, piano exam. I wonder how come you're not dead yet.
folk great picture

At an orchestra rehearsal sat on the desk behind Noo! Weird but wonderful 😍

And selling and buying a property now. I am already in heaven.

folk, nice photo!

Folk how lovely

Kutik your life sounds exhausting. Good luck for tomorrow

Thanks se22. I am also supposed to deliver a portrait painting of two adorable DCs by the end of this month but haven't set up the first sitting yet and to be honest I don't know when I can! At least I will be just a driver for tomorrow's exam!

DS has piano exam on Wednesday, a semi-final footy match (it was supposed to be last week but postponed due to the weather) on Friday, and a concert (violin) this Saturday on top of his usual after school clubs/jd and two x luthier visit.

I'm just about managing all the things ticked for DS and myself, and I have only one child... I admire people who oversee multiple DS's schedule!

kutik - your DS's beautiful piano playing was such a treat to listen to - even if only briefly.

Am I right in thinking piano is his second study? I was debating with myself over whether to show your video to my DCs. Wasn't sure if they would be inspired or totally deflated!

All that talk about violins - turns out we have a 1/2 size to look for soon. But maybe not too soon as DD just about getting the hang of in tune 4th fingers at present!

Japanese, thanks for the kind words. Yes piano is his second study. But he started piano first so I assumed it was his first study for quite a while. It only 'became' his second study when we applied for jd simply because we had to state his 1st and 2nd instruments on the form!

By the way, I forgot to report back about our school choice. DS is going to the state secondary. DH is still not 100% sure but DS and I are happy with it. The Director of Music at the school called us yesterday so we had a nice chat. She is going to arrange a meeting purely to discuss music matters. She likes to know what DS wants out of their music programme so that the right support is in place prior to him starting the school. They have a great music college attached to it.

It was a hard decision to be honest, but I have a really good feeling about this school now!