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Extra-curricular activities

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

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Original poster

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!

OP posts:

Thread gallery

folkmamma · 23/04/2018 17:47

Rupert

I'm really struggling today. Very emotional. Noo just had a really tough lesson, long and very technical. I could see the happiness ebbing away from her as the lesson went on. It's hard for her to understand that the reason her teacher is able to even discuss the details he does with her is because the pieces are already so good - she just takes it as criticism and gets really sad. And I get stressed when she zombie's out and stops listening. We got to 1.5 hrs (was meant to be 2) but even that was too long really and I can't help feeling she wouldn't be in that position if her lessons had been more regular in the past couple of months. She's only 10 after all....

se22mother · 23/04/2018 17:57

Folk

If it is any consolation we are in a tough position with dd and I in agreement that a particular Saturday school that she has done since reception needs to be stopped as she doesn't get the recognition she deserves. When questioned as to why she was still in a "beginner" group (to use the teacher's own phrase)at g6 repertoire standards when other children (circa g4 but often older ) had leapfrogged over to more advanced groups teacher has declared she is immature. Deliberately trying to be vague as this is potentially outing, but most likely failing. Quite upsetting have devoted time and energy for so long, but exploring other options.

ealingwestmum · 23/04/2018 18:01

for all of you that have taken different paths in life to what your hearts have wanted.

folk; 90 to 120 mins is tough for a 10 year old. Hope you put behind today’s lesson. She’s clearly pushed hard because her bar is already so high. But the technical elements will be evident next few lessons, even if she doesn’t realise it today.

stringchild · 23/04/2018 18:50

Ruperts thank you for sharing; I hope I have the ability/sense to let dd choose and to support her. At the moment the choice is law but I wonder sometimes if I am subtle limiting her by not visiting specialists schools etc.....

PetraDelphiki · 23/04/2018 18:54

I wouldn’t try a 2 hour lesson with dd (11)...she just can’t focus for that long after a day at school! I actually need to remind her violin teacher to do some fun stuff at the end - I saw the droopy face/posture last lesson a bit too late!

Mendingfences · 23/04/2018 19:12

Dd1 is 12 and her lessons are often 90 minutes plus BUT that always includes a break where she has a good relaxed natter with her teacher and usually a snack, shows her (violin) teacher what she is learning on piano and just generally recharges before getting back to work. She couldnt manage without that down time

LooseAtTheSeams · 23/04/2018 19:16

I'm sending and sympathy to those who've had a tough time. I have always told my dcs to do what they really want to but they seem very undecided. (I suspect DS1 is still convinced rock star is a viable career option!)

folkmamma · 23/04/2018 20:22

OMG Loose, rock star is THE most viable career option! 😂

Trumpetboysmum · 23/04/2018 20:32

Loose
to folk and rupertswife . I remember my parents saying that really we could do whatever we wanted at 16 and beyond as long as we'd thought about it and had a plan . I'm hoping I can stick with that with my dcs- though I had a plan and then realised that it didn't really work with children and our circumstances!! But I've kind of always ended up in one way or another working in the area that I knew I always would.
SE . On one occasion when Ds had been overlooked for a promotion in band I did actually go back in the break ( he had called me to say how upset he was) and speak to the tutors. I knew if I didn't he would have been overlooked and would have left. I still have no idea why they hadn't thought to move him up - he was playing first and solo trumpet in the next band up within 2 terms !?! I feel your frustration. Maybe time to move on?
Ds has long lessons but that only started once he was approaching 12 and his teacher is very relaxed so there's always lots of chat as well as work . He can also have very high expectations though Folk which is difficult because then they feel deflated when actually the teachers are only pushing them on because they are good in the first place. I have taken to asking ( as we approach exams etc) "but is it actually alright !?!"the answer is more often than not yes . Then Ds will happily work away but doesn't feel he's doing so because he's doing stuff really wrong but because he wants to get better- if that makes sense

folkmamma · 23/04/2018 20:39

Ha Trumpet, "but is it actually alright !?!" yep, this was me this evening. The answer was "oh yeh, of course it is". I think we are all a bit tired, stressed, under the weather and emotional today. I know she can get through it safely now, and she's gigging both pieces at a festival in a couple of weeks which will be good experience. We can worry about the final T's and F's after that to some extent. We both need to relax about it. If she even took in half of what they went through in tonight's lesson, it will be better again in a week's time...

TaggieOHara · 23/04/2018 21:16

Poor Folk. You have had a rough few days. I am sending peaceful and happy vibes your way

LooseAtTheSeams · 23/04/2018 21:22

The rock star plan at least held out a glimmer of hope of fame and fortune - his attention is now on his jazz trio. I don't exactly see dollar signs! But definitely a better musical direction

Thistly · 23/04/2018 21:32

japanese

My dd performed at her first festival recently. It was quite a small one, and it was such a good experience!
She looked online and saw some photos of people performing, and they were wearing full on evening dress. We worked out that this was the winners concert, and that the initial festival part was probably more casual. She opted for jeans and nice shirt, and was comfy. The other competitors were all casual too. Your daughter is absolutely right, it's the playing that's important, but you are more relaxed and can concentrate better if you are dressed appropriately.

It was a really useful experience. The adjudicator gave all the children really thoughtful, positive feedback, so it wasn't all about winning or otherwise. She said she will definitely go for it again next year, and encourage her friends too.

I was really happy for her, as I have never been to a festival and thought it would be a lot more intimidating than it was, and I felt it was a really worthwhile experience.

I'm really sorry, I'm not replying to other posts... As I said upthread, i am a less experienced and less knowledgeable parent than most of you, and my ability to contribute is only on the odd post like @Japanese

However I feel a great deal of sympathy for those of you who are trying to do your best by your children and struggling at the moment

AlexandraLeaving · 23/04/2018 21:52

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Japanese · 23/04/2018 22:07

Thanks for sharing your DD's festival experience Thistly. It's great it was so positive for her!

DD's slot is on Monday. DS then has his the following Monday so we'll see.

Sorry to hear you are having a rough few days folk. 2 hours is a long lesson for a child but am sure she will benefit from the technical work once she's had time to process it.

Kutik73 · 23/04/2018 22:09

Thistly, such a lovely genuine post. Thank you for sharing your experience. We have no experience in festivals but DS is doing one in a couple of weeks, first time! I have no idea what to expect so it was very nice to read something so positive. xx

druidsong · 23/04/2018 22:32

This reply has been withdrawn

Withdrawn at poster's request

catkind · 24/04/2018 01:03

Makes sense druid. x

2 hours lesson at 10 just seems silly to me. I still flag after an hour now. (And have picked up enough new stuff to keep me practicing for weeks... mind you your minis probably practice a lot more than me!)

My DC are doing local music festival later this term. Lots of piano ensembles, should be fun! When they did it last year there was a full range of dress from jeans to school uniform to party dress(es), so don't think we can go far wrong there. Ours is non competitive so they just get to play to a super supportive audience and get some helpful comments.

Kutik73 · 24/04/2018 01:24

Actually this dress code discussion is a good call as I didn't think of clothes at all... DS is playing in a quartet. I should probably ask a mum who has organised this entry. It wouldn't look good if one in jeans, one in a suit, one in a princess dress and one in school uniform...

Trumpetboysmum · 24/04/2018 05:53

Kutik
Cat that sounds like a lovely music festival

hapsburg · 24/04/2018 06:24

Kutik I think they should dress exactly like that - at least the adjudicator will remember them!!!

Kutik73 · 24/04/2018 09:55

Talking about clothes for performance... DS was asked to play something on the piano or violin at the opening of Y6 play in July. He is a statue in the play. Year, not a human nor animal but STATUE (cool right?). And he is probably playing piano in his statue costume. Violin would be a problem, wouldn't it?

druidsong · 24/04/2018 09:56

This reply has been withdrawn

Withdrawn at poster's request

Kutik73 · 24/04/2018 10:00

Ah, somehow I mixed up statue and column and thought he would a column. Statue could be alright for playing violin then.

druidsong · 24/04/2018 10:05

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