May Music Thread

[Wafflenose]

Have a new thread for May... you all managed to fill the April one!

This is a place to chat about music lessons, exams, practice, aural, theory, performances and anything else you like. We have many regular and occasional posters (some of whom are learning themselves) with children ranging from complete beginners to very advanced. We do try our best to make sure everyone feels welcome!

I am mum to Goo (12) flute and piano, and Rara (9) cello and clarinet. They play in loads of school groups, South West Music School and NCO, although practice isn't going too well at the moment. Later in the week, all three of us are taking part in a big community concert, which will be lovely.

Hi onemouse glad you dd is enjoying the piano good to hear that some schools are still giving ks2 pupils a go at learning an instrument
Really pleased you are feeling better today Waffle

A while ago, someone recommended Ashokan Farewell as a fun piece to learn. Was it cat or folk? Sorry I am not quite sure... DS liked it and has already played it by ear but I would like to get the music for him to learn the notes properly rather than letting him hit random notes as he pleases. But there seem to be a few arrangements and am not sure which one to go for. Has anyone played this piece on the violin and if so would you please let me know which one...?

Folk checking in for May!

Noo (10), violin, piano and as of very recently Viola. SATS exams, a music festival and auditions for two JD's this month, so a little bit stressed! Associate member of NCO and recently joined Pro Corda programme and loves it!

Moll (8), cello & piano and anything else she can get a noise out of. very capable but frequently hampered by temperament. Supposed to be doing said festival and JD audition (entry level course) but who knows if she actually will....

Me (too old), Violin, learner on the piano, singer. Play in a folk trio and moonlight with Noo's school ensembles at every opportunity.

Love this thread and everyone here - look forward to reading everyone's updates later xxx

Kutik

And welcome to one!

Thanks waffle for new thread!
I have DS1 aged 16 who plays bass guitar and percussion and after GCSEs plans to do music performance diploma alongside A levels. DS2 is 13 and plays cello (starting grade 6), Piano (grade 5) and electric guitar (grade 3).
I am ancient and learning piano - moving slowly through grade 5...

Actually checking in this month instead of lurking! Dd 1,13 piano , free spirit- notes are just a loose guide for him! Surprised us all by getting distinction in gr 3 recently! DD 2, 10, piano and oboe, loving them and doing really well, practices loads, DD 3 , 7, piano and wanting to do bassoon, just need a bassoon fairy to source a mini bassoon for her as eye-wateringly expensive! Me, double bass in amateur orchestra and love it! Not as super talented as many here but they all love music. Just wish there were more options here as no JD, Saturday school, music hub etc except in a neighbouring city ( good distance away) and really hard to get into and expensive. Only two specialist state schools in the country ( Scotland!) I think and not an option for us. Love reading everyone's stories.

Oh and ashokan farewell is lovely, my daughter heard it on classic FM this week and instantly loved it so we downloaded a free version, might get a paid for one if we want an accompaniment.

Hi Horseymum ! Love the free spirit idea !! Ds's piano playing was once described as very musical but a little bit approximate think that's what he likes jazz so much

Hi, trumpet mum, I'm just glad his teacher is great at improving as she plays at her church so gets him to improvise from melody and chords and he gets to play in church sometimes. She is not ( by her own admission) into jazz so can't help him there. He is trying a bit of boogie woogie too though. I am so bad at improvising though so am glad he isn't restricted to the page. Does make it a wee bit harder to get him to work on classical pieces though!

*improvising. Clearly she is good at improving them too! Approximate is a good description of his playing too. However, he does have a lovely feel and tone when he actually knows the pieces, the learning is so painful whereas dd2 is ace at sight-reading.

Hi horsey. It's a lovely piece, isn't it? And for classical musicians, it's quite a nice change. We don't need the accompaniment as it's just for fun. But I was a bit confused which arrangement to go for. I was wondering if anyone can recommend a nicer version for violin. But I may just pick a free one randomly if no suggestion. DS said it fits in his feeling of leaving the primary school very soon.

Absolutely lovely to see new and returning names this month :0) Sounds like everyone is keeping very busy!

Some good news here - Noo’s ‘disastrous’ theatre audition last week clearly wasn’t that disastrous after all, she’s been offered a place in the company for Oliver at the Wyvern in Swindon this summer. She is very happy and looking forward to being back there

Fabulous news folk - very well done to Noo!

Great news folk

Amazing Noo!

Well done Noo

Thanks guys

Hi, I'm new to the music thread although I do occasionally have a quick read. Thought it would be nice be actually participate and 1st May seemed like a good day!

I'm a woodwind and piano teacher in the north west and have DD but she is only 8 months so hasn't mastered any instruments. Getting back into the swing of things now after mat leave!

Hello to all and well done to all the minis. I read more than I post but have picked up loads of useful info from this thread.

Awaiting DD (13) Grade 4 violin result from 2 weeks ago (posted on April thread - didn’t go as well as hoped due to nerves) and practicing for grade 1 piano in June. Plays in school orchestra and sings in choir and looking forward to the school music tour abroad in July

I’m also looking into summer music courses for DD - has anyone done the musicale ones?

Welcome firsttimer! And good luck with the return to work!

Huge congratulations to Noo . I’m not at all surprised. She is such a veteran

ILove - I was also looking at musicale possibilities. I think it will be a bit far for us to travel but the reviews I've read - a couple of people mentioned musicale on the ABRSM forum - sound really positive.