April Music Thread

[Wafflenose]

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!

Kutik, get the Aulos yellow bag one - it's better, unless you'd rather spend around £35 and then I can recommend others. I bought those for Goo for Grade 6.

Goo won't do BBC Young Musician - she won't be good enough anyway, but she would HATE that. She's looking forward to seeing some of her NCO friends in the future.

We don't have iplayer at the moment. DH is ambivalent about finally getting a license... I am less keen, because I would have a lot of back-tracking to do!

Poor Noo. She might well have done fine, but probably has enough stuff coming up in her life to keep her occupied and distracted if not?

You're right Waffle. We've always tried to balance theatre vs music but I knew there would come a time when one would win out and we just can't do dance lessons on top of everything else, which she really would need to be the all important 'triple threat'. She does well to hold her own most of the time. In a few years time we will try for NYMT where they have the option of musician or actor/musician.

Oh poor noo. Fingers crossed for her it is difficult when they don't get stuff at audition but dd bounces back pretty quickly . A long time ago I realised that if dd was going to take musical theatre really seriously she would need extra dance lessons but she just wasn't interested. She still loves joining in though ( and loves the dance lessons that she does have) she just goes for roles with the emphasis on drama / singing instead - which will be fine for shows at high school

Morning all

Been offline for a couple of days.

Just to say thanks for your lovely supportive messages, really appreciate all you kind words. It’s awful that in these circumstances there are no policies or procedures for addressing this type of behaviour. I still play in a concert band and they are really keen for DD to come it’s just the rehearsals are late on a school night so she’ll come in the holidays.

Fascinated by the strings/bow discussions - opening my eyes to string player issues! Makes the ‘reed’ issues we encounter seem rather insignificant!

We are next week’s NCO bake off, DD is planning her creations now........

Xx

Waffle, thank you so much for your advice. I am pre grade 1 so will stick to a cheaper option!

Is it this one?
Aulos Yellow Bag

to Noo. We had struggles similar to yours.... We finally made a brave decision at the start of year 6. At the time DS said he wish he had 48 hours a day or 10 days a week so that he could continue everything fully committed. But it became impossible to commit in multiple areas at such a standard. DS still enjoys all the activities but lot less seriously.

I am so glad you sound upbeat and positive, WindMum. It's awful what happened to you and DD, but hopefully you put it behind, move on and enjoy other wonderful opportunities.

Kutik, beware, that's how dd started, followed by proper lessons, descant, treble and tenor (with bass on the Christmas list) 1.5 years later...
And about to start a third instrument....
I know the problem of not enough hours. You mentioned about your ds could sometimes be "more efficient" with his time, but with full on programmes (dc quite sporty like yours) it's also important they get to "relax" a bit. Dd spent the morning watching the London marathon which think is boring and a wast of time but as a keen runner with ambitions to run it herself (only prim school mage at the moment...), I couldn't really bring myself to tell her to do something else...

DS always has a soft spot for clarinet and flute (he did clarinet for a year at school), so your prediction could be pretty accurate! Your DD likes marathon?? DH is a hard core marathon runner and cyclist and travels around in and out of UK to participate races. One of his dreams is to do a race together with DS one day so drags him out for 'training' now and again. Sadly DS doesn't share the passion so he moans about the training a lot!

And yes I agree of the importance of enough relaxing time.

Kutik yes that's the one.

Goo has been away on a residential with SWMS. She didn't want to go, and got there to find that she is the only girl, and 2 years younger than the next youngest person there, but I've hardly heard anything from her all weekend.

Kutik that recorder is bringing back happy school memories - I'm tempted to do the same but was planning to try DS1's old flute over the summer holidays!
We know DS2 passed cello grade 5 because his teacher told him yesterday but she couldn't remember how many marks he got! He'll find out on Tuesday.
Meanwhile this house is in decorating chaos - all for DS2's new bedroom! I don't know how we manage it but every time we decorate a room the rest of the house ends up in turmoil!

Gosh, that's the identical recorder I had at school! DD got out DS's school recorder the other day. The force is strong in this one. NOT having any more lessons though, two instruments is quite enough at 6!

Yay, I've ordered the recorder and music book! They'll be with us in a couple of days! No desire to add any more lessons but happy to extend instruments for pure fun.

Congrats to Loose's DS2 on passing the exam!

Juggling - how did your DS's audition go? Very exciting!

Glad mini Trumpet's hearing has been given the all clear.

Windmum - what a horrible experience. I hope the people who run the ensemble know about the bully's behaviour. I shouldn't imagine it will be looked upon too favourably.

folk - hope Noo gets the outcome she wants from her audition!

And well done to Loose's DS!

We are back into a routine of practice here. Giving it a couple more weeks before deciding what exam entries to make for the summer session (if any).

My two both enjoy the recorder and I am also enjoying playing with them. Quite a relief not to have to worry about reeds/bows/strings! They are just starting Book 3 of recorder from the beginning. Although I have ordered some pieces from the exam syllabus too as they come with piano accompaniment and I thought it would be fun for us to have a bash at that all together.

DD is playing a piano piece in a Grade 2 section of a festival next week. Never having attended one, am a bit apprehensive about what to expect. Have had a look at YouTube where it all seems to be prodigies in fancy dresses so am slightly regretting it now. Anyway, we'll try this one and see how it goes I guess...

Thanks Kutik! And I wish you lots of enjoyment with your new purchase!
Beware the Fun Instrument - I now have a house full of guitars (I exaggerate - but there's one in at least 4 rooms in this house.) On the other hand, DS2's cello teacher is very approving of fun instruments and says everyone should have one!

Thanks Japanese, I’ve told the organisers but not sure what they can do really. Just best if we leave.

Our festival is nothing like you describe on YouTube. Ours is terrified kids in uniform all desperate to get to the end of the piece, most playing in public for the first time. Really supportive environment as everyone gets a good clap - particularly those who stumble and recover and get to the end of the piece! Hope your DD enjoys the experience.

Violin was meant to be DS's fun instrument, but look what happened!

Japanese, I have just ordered Book 2 for DS and myself. Would be lovely to see your DCs playing some pieces from the book? Love to be inspired!

kutik - one day I will figure out how to upload to the channel!

Glad to hear that not all festivals are ridiculously intimidating windmum! Might just let DD go in her uniform then as I will be picking her up from school a little early to get there. We have just had a scroll through the girls' dresses page on the Next website but everything she liked was a bit 'beachwear'. I ended up ordering a jumpsuit which we both liked and which might be ok. Oh well, it's an experience isn't it? DD actually said, 'they're not going to be judging me on what I wear Mum, it's how I play that matters'. But am sure I remember reading when I made the entry that dress is important .

Japanese only our recital classes have asked for ‘lunchtime concert dress’, all others classes are smart ‘no jeans and no trainers’. DD also wore the ‘lunchtime concert dress’ for the concerto comp but other kids were in uniform.

We’ve usually got a decent monsoon or Yumi frock on ebay. Only needs to look good from a distance and is only worn a couple of times.

Jumpsuit sounds perfect!!

Japanese I wouldn't worry too much about the dress . Ds has worn school uniform before or smart (ish) trousers and a shirt . I'm pretty sure he has also worn his trainers on occasion - because he said that they really weren't interested in what he was wearing !! Some children get more dressed up others don't . Our festivals are also not full of prodigies and very supportive . Good luck hope it's a good experience!!

Thanks for thinking of us Japanese - visit and audition day is later this week.
I'll definitely tell you all about it afterwards!
Talking about clothes what do you think he should wear. He came down in a smart stripey shirt and smart chino style trousers the other day ( which his cousin gave him) and looked at himself in the mirror saying something like "look I can look quite smart Mum"
So that looked like a possibility, though the shirt collar was quite a posh style. Depends what he's going to feel comfortable with most I guess.
And you do wonder a bit what others will go for.
Any thoughts?
I thought if a nice day something more summery obviously, though this lovely weather probably won't last all week.

So sorry to hear that Noo was upset folk. I hope she picks up quickly. Easier said than done though. I am always in awe of our DCs, trying their best and putting themselves out there over and over again at auditions and exams. I admire their courage.

Good day here. We went to the southeaserlies NCO regional rehearsal. I think DS2 was a little nervous, but he did really well, keeping up with some very advanced players. He did struggle with the page turns though, managing to knock over the whole stand one time! There was some amazing wind and brass players, and a really super little percussionist! Very inspiring!

japanese good luck with the grade 2 class!

kutik I was just thinking today of how much I loved the recorder as a child. Quite tempted to take it up myself!

Thanks everyone. She's perked up now. We won't hear until the end of May, but I'll be very surprised if she doesn't get in to the Ensemble. It's 'Oliver', so most of the call backs were boys - none of the girls her age went forward, even the supremely good ones! (I was chaperoning so saw some of the auditions). She is still one of the youngest (upper limit is 21!). Fingers crossed.

Meanwhile we are looking forward to NCO next weekend, it's been ages because of the snow-day last time. Also got a 2hr lesson to look forward to tomorrow to try and catch up on some of the missed lessons of the past few weeks. She will find it hard, but it's much needed, there's only so far I can take her...

Sat with my feet up catching up on BBCYM. 😊