September 2018 Music Thread

[folkmamma]

Hi all! Our lovely host Waffle is away at the moment and has asked me to start this months thread.

Here is a place for us to share stories, ask for advice, and generally support one another through our DCs (and in some cases our own!) musical journeys. All are very welcome, from the early beginners to the very advanced. Some people have been regular contributors for years, but we also have a lot of newcomers and love welcoming new contributors to the MN Music Thread team. I became aware of this group about 9 months ago via the NCO 2018 thread and I now spend more time here than on Facebook... .

Over here, I have Noo, just turned 11, violinist, violist and pianist. She is playing at aroud G7 standard on violin (first study) and is starting JD this month, eek!. Noo is also an associate member of NCO and this year joined the Pro Corda ensemble training programme, which she loves above all else! She is also very into musical theatre and regularly performs in professional and semi-professional shows - it is a challenge to juggle it all, but somehow we do. This month is a biggie for Noo as she starts secondary school as well as JD.

DD2 is Moll. 8yrs old and plays cello and piano. She is a very different kettle of fish to big sister - every bit as able, but some self esteem issues, together with a slightly quirky personality, mean her journey is not often quite so smooth (and mine completely turbulent!). Working towards G3 cello this term (although she doesn’t know it yet) and will go for a consultation at Noo’s JD sometime this term also.

I’m sure Waffle will drop in to update us on Goo, Rara and her own musical self once she gets back from holibobs.

Good luck to everyone with back to school, changes in school, new routines and audition prep! I predict September will be a busy month on the thread!

Over to you....

floot, all the exam syllabus scales landing at once seemed suspicious to me. As I say hopefully I'm wrong... Violin teacher also does scales every lesson but random ones changing each week, not specific exam ones (Trinity so they are very specific) and not all at once.

www.justflutes.com/17-daily-exercises-paul-taffanel-product1146691.html

Also, Marcel Moyse studies, and Trevor Wye's Flute Practice books in 6 volumes each cover a different aspect of playing, e.g. Tone, technique, interpretation, articulation etc.

Hope that helps, Lotsofmilk.

Ah, Cat, that does sound a bit suspicious. Yes, I run through whatever scales are relevant to pieces pupils are playing, in whatever form (e.g. Chromatics, if needed for a particular passage, etc). That's what I always try to get over to pupils - that scales are a means to an end, not just for passing exams. My pupils need to known why they have to learn them and what their worth is, otherwise they can't see the point of them.

Thank you floot that’s really helpful... will keep DD out of mischief for a while! 😉

A lifetime, Lotsofmilk! 😂😂

Indeed ! Well, she likes to have plenty to do 😂😂

Interesting reading comments above about teachers. We made a change to piano teacher for DD two years ago and made such a difference. He is a semi-pro pianist and had taught her from the beginning but was clearly stalling. He had her working on one challenging piece for months and couldn't see she was getting bored. He said it was time to decide if she was going to be a serious pianist or just have fun which was code for not practicing enough I guess (she was 11 at the time so I thought an odd comment.) It was hard but we bit the dust and changed and new teacher was a revelation. DD had so much more fun learning lots of different pieces and is about to take take grade 8. It was hard changing teachers but made a huge difference. I guess it is like many areas where being good at something doesn't necessarily mean you can teach it.

It's so similar to my friend's son's teacher. Basically she makes him work on the same piece to absolute perfection. So when he plays something it sounds very good as each piece has been nailed properly but in return he has such small repertoires (and awful sight reading). My friend thought my DS was super talented just because he was constantly working on several new pieces! I told her DS wouldn't play all the pieces he learnt absolutely perfectly every time, then she discovered the difference of the teaching style.

I don't post much on here but often read and marvel at everything going on! We have DD (grade 6/7 cello), DD (Grade 6 flute), DS (Grade 6 violin) and DD (just started cello age 5).

The older 3 are all taking grade 5 theory this term as DD is keen to take grade 6 flute and other DD wants to do grade 7 cello. We don't take part in much due to cost and wondered if there are any October half term, non residential courses that could be suitable (in south central/central midlands). Children do choir, a local orchestra and couple of other small things but NCO etc is probably beyond us in talent and cost! Would love to know about anything at half term that's not too pricey. Thanks!

Hello @fourlittlekangaroos! I'm
Not sure how old your DC's are, but a few on this thread really rate the NYO Inspire days - might be worth a look although not sure when / where these things take place. Also, Pro Corda have a cello course running over October half term. It's a fantastic organisation and the residential courses are just inspirational. You may be able to get a bursary to help with costs. Have fun!

www.nyo.org.uk/inspire#How%20to%20apply

Four - look at ESO youth; excellent non-res courses in midlands most hols and v good value

Don’t worry if dates aren’t up yet - they tend to put them up close to the time; get on the mailing list. They also have intermediate youth which might suit your younger ones (no idea if your dcs aged but eso goes to 18)

I don't get a chance to post much but usually manage to read things! I can second the posts about standards of school ensembles, I think it's hard as there are just not always loads of more experienced players to bring the standards up. Then better players don't go so it gets worse. There is so much emphasis on sports in schools round here so a musician at grade 5 is seen as advanced . That's partly why I would love my DD to get into NYOS junior so she can play with some genuinely more advanced players and up her game as regional stuff isn't too challenging ( but still fun). We have chosen the audition pieces, just waiting for a date. Hopefully we find out soon but the date will give us a bit more time to work on the pieces!
We have two very different teachers, oboe is a professional performer and teaches one day a week, which we love as he is immersed in the music world and brings the performance aspect. Piano teacher is a friend who is maybe technically not super advanced and not a professional musician but is a lovely teacher. She also 'gets' my DS who loves improvisation etc and she plays at her church etc which means she can help him with the less formal playing as well as more classical. She must do something right too as all her pupils have had merit or above. I can't imagine them going to other teachers as I love what they bring but I guess nothing stays the same for ever. I think it is a special relationship to have that undivided attention from an adult to focus on you, it must be hard to change and build another relationship.

DS just texted me that the teacher approved auditioning NCO and gave him a piece to learn - yay!

Oh, I just realised he's got to learn and polish two pieces in a month... He's got only one and not sure when he gets the second one. Oops...

Patricks

That's great, some of dd friends play in this, I believe and/or others.
Unfortunately, I'll never get to see you or the other posters on here, there as not applicable to dd.
Some of the jazzers could at YJM maybe, someday, you never know
Is your house perfectly done now, iirc you started when he went off to school.
Mine is nearly done, but I start with all the top cupboards and work my way down, in each room. It takes forever but only do it twice a year, usually start of spring and then start of september.

Oh Romany, I did very little last week with intention to carry on this week but no I've completely abandoned the will and started doing something else (nothing to do with house)!!! Well, I'll do one day...

I was about to post about the healthy expectation for how often to communicate with a young child who is away from home. I wonder if asking a 11 years old to contact us at least once a day, maybe just before bedtime or at any convenient time, would be an unreasonable request? DS kind of disappeared as soon as I dropped him off on Monday so I thought I should set a rule before it's too late. Then I got a quick text from him on NCO. So can you see how happy I was?

Some of my friends think it's ridiculous and told me I may make him feel embarrassed in front of his mates that he would be the only one who has to call mummy ever day. I get that point. But then I feel he is still so young and I would like to make sure his safety and well-being everyday. It doesn't need to be a long chat, a quick 'hello' is fine. Obviously I don't expect this level of communication when he's away for an one off thing like NCO but as him being away for school is a deal of many years I just feel it's weird to let him go without any contact for days and make it become our new norm.

But really, do you think I am expecting too much? Should I just leave him and let him contact us only when he needs?

To add more information, he is the youngest boarder and only one in his year. All the boarders are older than him.

Long time lurker here. I have DGrandS, 13yrs old next Feb , soon taking Grade 7 on piano. Also plays violin and viola. He would like to know if there are any residential courses for piano suitable for him in next year's summer holidays. Please do any of you know about such things? Where are these courses advertised and when do you have to apply? Have loved following this thread.

Patrick

I just got quite cross with dd last night as she hadn't contacted me this week.
Our rule is a call every night, even if it's just 5 mins. If i'm worried I'll facetime or skype as I can see her face, this is usually only if I'm worried though.
Sometimes she'll skype me to show me some homework, which I insist upon, every so often.
It might be worth warning your ds that he'll be getting a fire alarm in the middle of the night soon. My dd loves them and the little ones see it as an adventure. Maybe suggest he keeps a pair of shoes or slippers next to his bed. Obviously they get them out quickly and there's no time for hunting for footwear or pyjamas if they are vest and pants type .

That’s great Patrick! I’m sure your DS will have no problem learning his piece.

Nice to see you horsey and very interesting to hear about the different teaching styles. Good luck with the audition! I’m sure you are right about the school ensembles, and the need for good players to participate. It is important for DS2 to do his bit. It is good to do a mix of things and to ‘mentor’ less experienced players.

I have simmered down now (nice to have a rant here to get it off my chest). I have to admit that part of my issue is that the usual coffee shop I wait around in is shut for refurbishment for a few months, so there is now a higher bar for what I consider worthwhile! Obviously, this isn’t the school’s fault, and I’m glad I offloaded here rather do a complete tiger mom thing. Incidentally, DS2 is happy enough because he gets to play super easy music with his friends

Welcome to frankly and four.! Great idea from folk on Pro Corda and nyo inspire. frankly - I believe @raspberryrippleicecream DS did a piano course this summer. Apologies if I am wrong

You are quite right Taggie

hello Frankley glad you have finally posted, everyone is lovely on here.

I know that Chetham's School Music do a Piano course every year, sorry can't remember the dates.
I have looked but can't find anything for next year yet, but they do advertise it on their website.

Sorry posted too soon and then lost a post.

Frankly DS2 did Summer piano school, at Chethams he had a fantastic time. They take children from aged 8, right up to adults, beginners to professionals. Happy to answer questions here are by PM