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.

DD1’s tent collapsed last night - thankfully before they got in it. It’s an inflatable one, so I don’t know if it was damaged by the hail. As my sister said, it’s character building and good practice for DofE! Not sure DD will see it that way! Anyway, we collect her today after listening to what they’ve been playing all weekend.

Double, I am sorry for the storms and hails. Nevertheless I hope your DD is enjoying the time there. It sounds adventurous and indeed character building!

Day two here in Cornwall, so far we are having another sunny day. I hope it lasts as DS will be in the sea most of today.

We had a little walk in the dark garden with two black cats last night. It's hilly so has an interesting landscape. A little thing like this is quite special as we don't do it back in home.

2nd. Awful behaviour by the school. They sound horrible. Could you pull her out of the concert altogether?

kutik. I am super envious! Slightly less so of double’s DD! I hope she’s ok.

2nd, they would actually laugh at children at sports day? That's disgusting behaviour. At ours the child that stumbles home 2 minutes after the rest gets the biggest cheer of the day, in all sincerity. Good luck talking to them about the concert. As taggie says you could always just pull her out if they won't see sense.

Kutik, wait, what, roll up piano? I had no idea that was a thing. Does it work to practice on?

Am also interested to hear more about the roll-up piano. My DCs spend quite a lot of time during the school holidays at my parents' house. I have been dithering about whether or not to get a digital for keeping at their house.

This phone!!!

It's like a paper keyboard with sound (but not made of paper!). There are lots on amazon. Don't just go for some cheapo as the response would be too slow (serious nightmare for any fast passages and trill). Japanese, I would think a digital keyboard/piano would be much of use than a roll up piano. It's not a perfect solution for proper practice. DS hardly uses it for practice purpose for instance. It can be fun though. Ours even had a pedal (but we'd never used it).

Thanks kutik - am seeing my Mum tomorrow - I will sound her out on her feelings about storing a digital at their house .

DD1 is now home and a touch tired after thunderstorm interrupted nights. Hailstones upwards of marbles last night confirmed by the course organisers.

Amazing performance of Shostakovich 5th after 2 and a half days rehearsal! First time she has played with a full orchestra and she loved it! I'm so glad that she got the opportunity

Alexandra

Many thanks, for that. I think dh just bought a load for dd and himself, but will ask them.
i'm not sure if they ordered any soprano reeds, as she's been playing Bari, all last term.

Just thought I'd pop this here too, for anyone who is interested.

chethamsschoolofmusic.com/whats-on/secondary-open-evening/

Can I ask for suggestions of Viola books? DD1 got a long term loan of Viola last week. I got the Mary Cohen Quuck change book and Suzuki book 2. She needs to work on pitch, but flew through those books.
She is at end Suzuki book 6, so probably plays at Grade 6/7.

She won’t get a lesson until Sept but wants to work away on it herself over the summer and master reading alto clef. To perhaps. Grade 4/5 standard?

Probably obvious? But forgot to mention violin is her first instrument.

Mom we have the later ABRSM 'time pieces' books and also Bach Cello Suites for viola, which Noo used in her audition.

We are still continuing a life with lots surfing/bodyboading daytime and card games & Blackadder in the night time here in Cornwall. We had a monktail for supper yesterday - so yummy.

DS goes to a surf school where they use iAM Bands for the skill measurement. DS had two instructors - one was Icon (the top of the measurement) and another was Expert nearing getting Pro (4th of the measurement). The Expert guy started surfing at 3, and the Icon guy was at 11. But the Expert guy lives in Somerset so could surf only weekends whereas the Icon has been surfing almost everyday by living very close to a beach.

This gave me an interesting thought.

We often discuss how early one started learning an instrument, how one was a late starter, etc. Yes, starting early has it own benefit but it's the amount of commitments and environment rather than starting age that makes a difference in the progress. It's the same in music, surfing and anything, isn't it? Maybe obvious, sorry, but I was kind of reassured.

You were up early this morning Kutik! I agree with your thoughts about starting early v commitment. The main time there will be an advantage is when both come together. Glad you are enjoying Cornwall; the weather here has been mixed at best.

Morning all,I have yet another dilemma to run past you!

As some of you know we have decided not to carry on with ds's current teacher as he is too controlling amongst other things. Ive found 2 other teachers and we will be having a trial with them soon. In the mean time I emailed the head of Strings at Junior Guildhall where ds is hoping to go. He had assessed ds about 18 months ago and said he should definitely audition. I was asking for advice and whether he would be prepared to let ds audition outside the main period and if he were to be successful to start in January. Bless him,he emailed back and said he's like to talk to me and we had a chat about what ds is doing now and how much practice and seemed quite impressed. But,and he's the dilemma, they would be expecting ds to give up all his orchestras (3). He could carry on with chamber orchestra and string quartet. Ds has said that he isn't ready yet for that especially as he's about to be promoted to first violins. He currently leads the seconds. My thinking is that we leave it till the main audition period,next Spring and if he's successful,he would start in September next year by which time he will be 13. Or do I persuade him to audition early and potentially only have another 6 months with his orchestras??? If he were to get into Guildhall he would join their amazing orchestras,ensembles and choir and whatnot. Arrgghhhh 😱

disorganised you are at a tricky point!! Is there a compromise to be made? Perhaps DS could pick his one favourite of the three orchestras to free up time more for practice/audition prep??? If it's not long until you trial the potential new teachers, I'd sound them out about it. Make it very clear that the goal is GH and ask what they would do to get him there. But be mindful of the advice from HoS, I think he may look for you to heed his recommendations as a measure of commitment?? It may be an advantage to audition outside of the main period as they stand out more as one of only a few instead of one of many. Also, the later you leave it, the higher the bar will be raised... xx

disorganized in your position, I would go ahead with the Guildhall audition asap. There will be room for compromise on all sides. I’m sure that the Guildhall will be understanding, if you explain the particular importance of carefully managed transitions and maintaining social connections for your DS. Also, I’m sure that your DS will rapidly be integrated into the Guildhall programme, and will manage the change well, with the right support.

Tbh in the highly unlikely event that the Guildhall are totally inflexible, it probably isn’t the right place for your DS anyhow, as it would be endless conflict and stress for you all.

I would let your DS choose if he likes to audition earlier or wait till next spring because I don't see a massive difference between starting Jan and Sep so what's the rush? Once he starts Guildhall I suppose it's good to try to follow their suggestion because it should come from for your DS's interest and benefit. However I assume they will be flexible and listen to your DS's needs so I'm sure you will reach a good compromise somehow. If things wouldn't work out or DS becomes unhappy then you can always review and rearrange things? Sometimes it's easier to act than think (and keep worrying) and follow where you are taken (telling myself)!

Thank you for all your input. Some conflicting opinions though 😱. I've just had a chat with ds and he is prepared to give up his 2 local orchestras but is hoping to carry on with County Orchestra so we will negotiate with GH if he gets in. He doesn't think he will be ready to audition in the Autumn for some reason but I think that's because he is down.

His confidence has been battered by the teacher woes, bless him. What about taking him to a concert or arranging some 'fun' playing with orchestra/Ensemble friends to give him a lift??

Noo, on the other hand, is being thoroughly obnoxious and uncharacteristically full of herself in the wake of Saturday's audition. She is being completely cocky about tomorrow's audition and is being downright uncooperative with practise. Not amused.... 😡😡😡

Awww folk - Noo has worked so hard. She will be fine tomorrow. I’m sure she isn’t really cocky or obnoxious - maybe a bit high from all the adrenaline of the last weeks.

disorganised my ‘advice’ is more of an opinion than anything else. I don’t know anything about jd’s or your issues with the current teacher. I just thought that getting DS settled into a good programme as soon as possible would offer a way out of your situation. Listen to kutik and folk! They know what they are talking about with jd!