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 Voluntary, DS has Alpine hearing protection for young musicians. It says the maximum protection SNR=25, NRR=23,5-28,6. Not exactly sure what it means though... It seems comfortable. DS can have conversation as normal. He doesn't really use them though as his orchestral commitments are not so great. We will probably consider custom made ones if DS continues and increases orchestral work.

TrumpetVoluntary, my two brass players use fairly ordinary foam ear plugs if they play in ensembles that have others behind them. I'd really like to get DD1 some custom ones but they are pricey and the Musicians Union deals don't apply to children. The Senner MusicPro ones have been recommended but I have yet to order any.

Thanks both. I was just looking at some Alpine ones. She sits near the drums in the school orchestra so it is quite loud! I understand some people use them for NCO too.

Tabby - I enter my DCs myself for their piano and theory exams as they don't have a proper teacher - just me!

As others have said, make sure you're up to date on what's required according to the syllabus for scales, aural and that they are preparing the pieces from the right lists. Don't forget to practise sight-reading.

At the moment, I think I can probably get the DCs to Grade 5 and then, if they want to continue, we will need to get a teacher - definitely someone with more experience than I have anyway!

SE 13 that's interesting that your 2 get on fine with foam ear plugs ds's teacher and his tutors at nco don't particularly like them to use those ones as it can affect how you play . Though I think teachers of brass players should encourage their use more . Just because they don't like them shouldn't mean that they put off their younger pupils !! Currently because of other ear issues ds uses pro plugs ( from gear 4 music not expensive but took a few goes to get the size right) they mean that he can hear and play properly but they block sound at the same time - you need the vented ones . He does say they get a bit uncomfortable so we are going to get custom fit ones - when I get round to sorting it

TBM, it's less that they get on ok with the foam ear plugs and more a case of making do with what we've got available. I intend to order some of the Senner ones.

But it proves that you can get bin with them SE Ds has never even tried because he's been so influenced by his teacher and tutors !!

Aaaaarrrrrgggghhhh! Final practices before festival tomorrow we're just about as bad as they could have been. DD2 can no longer get from beginning to end of her cello piece. She lost it, I lost it, she 'moved out' and we lost her for 20min. DD1 so stressed (because I was stressed out by DD2) that she stiffened up and started making mistakes too. Then she got upset because it wasn't working which made things go from bad to worse.

How not to build your kids up to a performance. I am the worst music mum ever 😔

Arrrghh folk

Dd just got back from her trip and she's determined to do our festival tomorrow . I admire her grit but after 5 days no practice and no sleep I am holding out no hope for performance. Hope yours goes ok x

I've just realised all I've done is whinge lately. Sorry guys 🙈

Just checking in. Boy, known as Nosebleed Boy after traumatic run-up to G8 jazz clarinet last term, is now moving on the the same on Sax this term, combined with 4 AS-levels. Urk. Sax probably going better than AS revision at the moment...

Oh Folk - am sure they are both going to do brilliantly. Best to get all pre-performance meltdowns done today so that they are out of the way before tomorrow! .

Lots of luck to both mini-folks, mini-SE22 and any other minis doing festivals!

Can dancing daughter, younger sister of nosebleed boy, borrow a little of the luck? 7 solos, duet, and innumerable group dances will occupy us both from Fri - Sun next week.

Absolutely! Good luck!

SE22 how did DD get on on her residential?? Good luck with your festival tomorrow x

She loved it! Lots of amazing outdoor activities

Good luck to folk and SE22's DDs. DS is doing festival tomorrow too - fist time! It'll be a long day for us as he's going straight after jd. People on this thread often report positive things about festivals (friendly, encouraging, etc). Hope we'll find it the same!

Hi, cantkeep. I remember your brave nosebleeding boy! He was a fab example of fighting against the odds! Good luck to your DD too.

folk. I have come to expect, as standard, the bad pre-performance practice, complete with total loss of intonation, bow control and correct notes... Wish Noo and mini-Noo luck from me and mini-Taggie!

Good luck also to mini-SE and dancing mini can’t! Sounds like you all have busy weekends ahead

all round on Sunday night!

Good luck with all the festival performances!
My choir are singing in the week but I can't join them as I'm a music teacher have a few students also playing and can't wait to hear them all.

Good luck everyone, including mini kutik tomorrow

Ooo so sorry - I missed out mini-kutik! I hope the busy musical day goes well tomorrow! I’m sure it will

Good luck to festival performers and dancers tomorrow!

We have a while until festival but lots of music to learn for sheet-music-averse DS. The sibling duo is next off the ground! How do I get them to start together without a loud 1234?

Anyone else watching BBCYM piano this evening? Was a completely unable to call from me, blown away by all of them. The winner was DD's favourite. I think pianist or percussionist are my favourites for the final now.

Good luck to everyone playing or dancing this weekend. Folk Pre performance stress ( mostly on my part ) is also normal in this house . So much so that I now just don't go any where near Ds and try not to listen - he will often play badly and either declare it fine or get really upset - so if I then get involved it definitely makes it worse

Cat I liked the pianist that won and also Sheku's sister. Like you, I am rooting for either percussionist or pianist to win 😊

Thanks to everyone who sent reassuring messages. Feeling more chilled this morning and determined to enjoy today.

Good luck to everyone performing today, I look forward to hearing all about it later x