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Extra-curricular activities

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

April Music Thread

999 replies

Wafflenose · 01/04/2018 11:13

Happy Easter! The sun is shining here (at the moment) so I'm hoping spring has finally arrived.

Here's a new thread for anyone who wants to talk about music lessons, exams, practice, concerts, aural, scales, theory, ensembles or anything else music related. Everyone is welcome, from beginners to advanced and also adult learners. I started these threads 6.5 years ago when I had a beginner myself. Her nickname is Goo, she is 12 and taking Grade 8 Flute next term. I think she's finally going to do her Grade 5 Piano in the autumn. When those are out of the way, she's thinking of taking up the recorder again and doing Grade 8 on that, because flute sort of took over and she never got around to it. Her sister Rara is 9, and is currently around Grade 4 on both Cello and Clarinet. She doesn't want to do any more exams for ages, so will probably do her grade 5s in a couple of years or so. Rara is a lapsed recorder player who will be performing on it next month, and she dabbles with piano, glock and accordion. Both girls do South West Music School, although I regularly go back on forth over whether this is still the best setting for Goo. We are pretty rural and hours away from any big cities.

Please can we all be extra careful to make sure that everyone is acknowledged and assisted where appropriate... I include myself in needing to make an effort, but I'm not around all day, every day. This is a lovely, calm, supportive corner of Mumsnet but I do receive a handful of messages from people who don't feel welcome because they or their children are less advanced, or they're not in a position to consider JD/ private school/ expensive instruments and feel left out, or they wonder if it's OK to post about certain instruments/ families. I did say I would try. Thank you all so much!

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catkind · 16/04/2018 15:28

If it can't be changed I'd say just sit it without preparation drummersmum. GCSEs have got to be priority. Good chance he'll pass theory anyway through general musical experience, even if not with the mark he might normally get.

drummersmum · 16/04/2018 15:54

Thanks so much. It's at jd so he'll have to sit it as he wants to move onto the post g6 options next term. You both are right he will have to just manage, gcses are priority and hopefully he will pass. Yes there is only so much our dcs can manage wise words to remember, as often as possible. I think he was planning to celebrate after Physics that day and instead he will have to come home and revise some more!

LooseAtTheSeams · 16/04/2018 16:14

Oh no! Poor lad, drummers! Not great timing but I'm absolutely sure he will power through it and then he can doubly celebrate on the Saturday evening!

Madcats · 16/04/2018 16:18

Very late joiner to this thread (and won't have time to read through 23 pages). DD(10) is a (rather reluctant) singer (I think the choirmaster is quite strict) and has just done G3 flute. She also plays steel pans at school, which she absolutely adores.

crazygirls if you were after a mouthguard, DD uses ones by SISU for hockey. They are like a mesh with holes in and you 'just' heat them up to mould them. I have no idea if they would work with a clarinet. I can get DD to try to play her flute or a recorder with it in if you like?

drummersmum · 16/04/2018 16:40

Thanks loose he's actually performing Saturday evening! Might get him to have his first beer afterwards.

Kutik73 · 16/04/2018 17:55

I hope drummersboy has been getting good support for the G6 theory preparation at jd. DS has to do G6 theory at some point as well so I'm interested how they help the pupils ready for the exam. Do they expect high mark? Or no pressure?

Such a bad timing for your DS, but with his great brain and work ethic, I really think there is NOTHING he cannot achieve. He'll enjoy his first beer.

TheSecondOfHerName · 16/04/2018 18:13

I think he was planning to celebrate after Physics that day and instead he will have to come home and revise some more!

Hopefully his brain will be so well-trained by the end of GCSEs that the theory paper will be straightforward.

We've booked DS1's first driving lesson for the morning after his last A-level paper, so his beer(s) will also have to wait.

folkmamma · 16/04/2018 20:58

Monday night debate....

Mozart. Trills starting on the note, or on the upper note. Discuss!

TaggieOHara · 16/04/2018 21:19

Hmm - generally in Mozart start on the note, I think. But some editions of Noo’s piece explicitly direct the player to start above the note, and I think it sounds better. It is also easier to fit in the turn at the end if you start on the top note. Happy to be corrected by someone more knowledgeable though!

Kutik73 · 16/04/2018 21:23

Interesting. Afraid too technical for me to join the discussion. Will follow the topic quietly...

Wafflenose · 16/04/2018 22:31

Mozart - note above, with a mini turn thing at the end. As far as I'm aware, and certainly in woodwind.

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crazygirlsmama · 17/04/2018 09:48

Heehee we were talking about the "note above, little mini turn thing at the end" only a day ago!

Kutik73 · 17/04/2018 10:04

DS is starting to learn a Mozart piece (he meant to learn last year but had to wait till his fingers could reach all the notes). Let see what the teacher say.

DS's back to school today. Another busy term!

Kutik73 · 17/04/2018 10:23

Could we just have fun by sharing our DCs' favourite music themed must have item? For DS it's probably his beloved mug cup! He starts his day with tea in the mug every morning. x

April Music Thread
2ndSopranos · 17/04/2018 10:23

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

drummersmum · 17/04/2018 10:23

thesecond has he been doing some practice with the provisional license meanwhile? DS is adamant that DS should apply for one soon. The thought of him driving...
Last night was our Hamilton outing.

Kutik73 · 17/04/2018 10:25

This one!

April Music Thread
Kutik73 · 17/04/2018 10:26

Grrr, double post, sorry!!!

Kutik73 · 17/04/2018 10:28

A big well done to mini2nd! xx

LooseAtTheSeams · 17/04/2018 10:30

Kutik I'm a bit envious of that lovely mug!
Can't post photo as on the way to work but DS2 has some novelty guitar socks and a personalised mug with a cartoon of a cellist on it!

TheSecondOfHerName · 17/04/2018 10:40

DS1 has been out in the car a few times with DH. He has passed his theory test which is good. He wanted to wait until after his exams are over before starting practical lessons.

2ndSopranos · 17/04/2018 10:45

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

TaggieOHara · 17/04/2018 10:46

DS doesn’t have many musical items, but I do like that mug, Kutik (and your table cloth - with apologies for going off topic!)

Wafflenose · 17/04/2018 10:47

We have that mug! And a flute one and a couple of NCO ones.

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Kutik73 · 17/04/2018 10:48

Oooh, shame I can't see the photos but love the sound of the cool socks and personalised mug!

I suppose I know one for Waffle and drummersboy. The infamous shoes from USA = Waffler, and the tops given by grandparents = drummersboy.