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Extra-curricular activities

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

Original poster

September 2018 Music Thread

905 replies

folkmamma · 01/09/2018 08:21

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... Grin.

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.... Smile

OP posts:
Thread gallery
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cantkeepawayforever · 06/09/2018 22:04

On that point, I wanted to ask a 'how does this work' question about buying a new instrument.

It is most likely that we will get DS's new sax from a shop a couple of hours' travel away. For various reasons - like he's nearly 18, and this is his adventure - he would like to go and get it on his own. DS has been to its sister shop with me and played several instruments there for a LONG time. He has a front-runner but wants to compare again with the rest of the shortlist before buying.

However, we would also like his teacher to hear the new instrument before we absolutely go for it. I remember the long violin thread when there was a lot of 'on approval' mentioned. Is it completely outwith normal behaviour to see if DS can have the new sax on approval for a week or so before finally committing? Or is that Not the Done Thing?

stringchild · 06/09/2018 22:44

Can’t - we have taken clarinets on approval quite a few times - obviously using our own mouthpiece; can’t see it being an issue?

RomanyRoots · 06/09/2018 23:20

Yes, i've heard of shops allowing a small time approval, usually a week or two at most.
if you buy something whilst there this sways them too Grin

can't
I don't get that with Baritone, or bass to a degree. Have a look at sub bass and contra bass saxes, it's an acquired taste/ dull thud..

I'm learning so much about the different sizes, is bad enough transporting an Alto, soprano and baritone.

There's one smaller than a sopranino too, forget what it's called now.
I love this guy.

PatricksViolin · 07/09/2018 09:05

Thanks elena. I don't still feel it's real that DS is starting new school very soon. I don't think he does neither. We are still in a bubble. Slightly worrying about friendship - I really hope he'll find someone who can 'click'. I cannot see any fault in the school itself otherwise.

can't, how exciting that your DS is getting a new sax! Sounds scary financially though!

It seems woodwind players tend to own multiple instruments and assume it's standard expectation if you are pretty serious and committed? We bought violin and bow this year and it was such a pain financially but at least we don't need to worry about another massive purchase, ...until upgrade becomes necessary.

Trumpetboysmum · 07/09/2018 09:26

Yes I think Woodwind ( and brass) players often have multiple instruments . Ds currently has 2 trumpets and a cornet , he really needs a d: e flat trumpet and a piccolo trumpet too at some point in the not too distant future- and these aren't cheap !! I'm looking forward to the building work being finished then we will actually have somewhere to keep them all - it's taking over Ds's bedroom currently !!

PatricksViolin · 07/09/2018 09:58

Multiple brass instruments must be super expensive!! However, you can end up with multiple violins and bows also if you seek for perfection to cater certain style and period!! I saw someone who had a case to carry four violins and multiple bows (and it was surprisingly light and neat)...

Original poster
folkmamma · 07/09/2018 09:59

We have also started instrument shopping... time for a 3/4 violin!!! Super excited as violin shopping is just about my most favourite thing to do. We have appointments with 2 luthiers on 15th, and I have also been recommended to contact someone in Italy so I am waiting to hear back from him. Hoping to have some nice options to take with us to Noo's first day at GH on 22nd Smile

In other news, secondary school is going well - couldn't have asked for a smoother transition so far! She will be starting singing lessons (very low key, shared lesson once a fortnight), will be doing Senior Strings (which she started last year) and they are launching a new school choir. Oh, and girls football!

OP posts:
TabbyTigger · 07/09/2018 10:13

Patricks when does your DS start his new school?

Such good news about the smooth secondary school transitions!

DD1 enjoyed her first music GCSE lesson yesterday - it’s a small class, only 19 of them, which is nice. Other than that not a lot of music going on here yet - Act 1 of the musical is ready for “read through” though so I’ve wound up with 14 9-16 year olds coming round tomorrow... that should be fun. I don’t know how they’ve managed to rope in so many kids - I think DD2 must be quite the saleswoman.

Doubleup · 07/09/2018 10:30

With regard to multiple woodwind instruments,DD1 is asking about getting a cor anglais. She hasn’t yet tried to grow her saxophone family, although that may come. As for getting a contra bassoon - no, just no!

stringchild · 07/09/2018 10:38

Yes def multiple instruments - dd used her Bflat, A and bass weekly; sax more occasionally. She would love a Basset but that’s not going to happen! When she goes jazz they suggest she has flute too but also not going to happen 🙄

Trumpetboysmum · 07/09/2018 10:45

String Grin

RomanyRoots · 07/09/2018 12:46

Double

My dd best friend started on a tenoroon? I'd never heard of one. Grin
The instruments that dd plays, don't all belong to her, they are dads or she borrows from the business sometimes.

This term it's soprano Alto and Baritone, different ensembles and exams/concerts. Next term she could need a different combination depending on what she chooses or is asked to play.

String
Vocal flute sounds erm nice Grin used a lot in Jazz, I have a favourite piece

PatricksViolin · 07/09/2018 13:03

So, those who play, let's say various types of sax or clarinet, do you still have 'first study/instrument' within the family (for instance, alto is first study, baritone is second and so on)? Or if you say sax is your first study, then that mean you treat all sorts of sizes and types of sax as your 'first study/instrument'? It sounds like a percussionist - expected to be proficient at all sorts of percussion! When you audition, how do you choose which instrument to pick? Your favourite changes time to time or depending on which piece you (want to) play?? The skills and techniques can be transferred within multiple woodwinds?

Wafflenose · 07/09/2018 14:03

You're expected to just do it all. Slightly different techniques for all. Playing all the recorders involves 2 completely different sets of notes/ fingerings, and also bass clef later on. But it's still just 1st study recorder. For nationals, you (at least used to ) have to play descant, treble and bass pieces at audition. For most clarinet auditions, you can play whichever you like, but Bb is by far the most common. I borrowed an A for Rara to take to the NCO, and she didn't need it. Nobody else took one!

RomanyRoots · 07/09/2018 14:25

Patrick

It's just first study sax in my dd case, but one of her friends has joint sax and clari as first study.
Depending on what type of music they want to play there's most likely a time when they need other instruments. e.g my dh bought a picallo to go with flute when he was depping for a tour so had a run of dates.
it was either Strictly or Guys and Dolls, can't quite remember.
So often saxes are expected to double on other instruments, the main being Flute and/or Clarinet.
hence, why dh and dd seem to have a lot of instruments.

RomanyRoots · 07/09/2018 14:30

Take a look at this, you'll all want one Grin

stringchild · 07/09/2018 14:52

Patrick - there are bass clarinet specialists; dd is one by default in some settings. For auditions she will usually use two so the Bflat and A or Bass.

Waffle - I don’t think dd used hers for u10s but has done ever since; they asked for an e e flat this year but I skipped over that (think everyone did!)

RomanyRoots · 07/09/2018 14:57

Just a warning for those with multiple instruments.
maybe not a problem whilst still young but if they start playing far and wide don't be tempted by the cases that hold multiple instruments, far better to have one stolen than the whole lot.
You are better getting one of those trolley carts to carry from the car than have just one case.

PatricksViolin · 07/09/2018 15:50

Romany, seriously how much the beast weigh?? And surely you can't practise long with the size...

Shock to recorder, and other woodwind... Suddenly piano and violin seem to be easy-peasy... Though DS did/does clarinet, harmonica, recorder and toy trumpet. He also did (very dodgy) guitar at NCO. Grin

I was told all the violinists would learn viola at DS's new school so he will have some varieties soon too.

RomanyRoots · 07/09/2018 17:11

Patricks.

If they are playing in a big band, or ensemble they are sitting down and only stand if able for solo's.
Mine likes the bass and can manage it fine, but saying that she hasn't done a full gig on one.

Saxes are quite easy honestly, unlike the clarinet it has fewer notes, can't remember how many as I'm terrible with different keys (signatures) but also the notes stay the same in the upper octave, not like clarinets.
If somebody starts on a clari they usually, not always find sax easy to pick up. You can't really say the same the opposite way round.

rivierliedje · 07/09/2018 17:52

I love this thread, it's brilliant reading about all the varieties of interests and discussion of strings!
I think the grade three thing might actually work. I've suddenly remembered how to go in to second and fourth position and do harmonics. And because the cello I've borrowed is much nicer than the cello I used to rent, it sounds lovely.
My partner is a violinist and we are egging each other on with practice which is great for motivation. For some reason I feel like I have more of a plan with cello, so practice is more structured and I see more progress. I can't think of how I want to do piano. I think the dip might be too hard or that I need something in between to motivate me? I don't know. I have thought about doing the ARSM, but I really want to conquer the dip. That's just me being bloody minded though. (and I really should improve my sight reading).

MeltingWax · 07/09/2018 18:09

First week at secondary school completed for DD without too much stress. Phew. Although she was quite miffed today as they missed their music lesson for an 'end of the first week celebration assembly'...

cantkeepawayforever · 07/09/2018 19:33

On multiple instruments - DS currently has 3 clarinets (his own B flat, and loan instruments from the music service so he can play bass clarinet and A clarinet with the county youth orchestra - luckily this is free).

He only has an alto sax - and will upgrade to a better alto sax. He would love a bari, but the two county ones are out with bari specialists, and there is no other cost-effective method of having a 'very part time' bari at the moment. He can, and does, pick up the bari if he needs to deputise in a specific concert.

TabbyTigger · 08/09/2018 00:13

Wow cant - your DS is living DD2’s dream! The lobbying for different types of clarinet/ her first saxophone is ongoing...

Fab news Melting! Glad to see all the DC on this thread are settling in well to changes.

Trumpetboysmum · 08/09/2018 06:33

Glad everyone is settling into school . It's all going well here and at least Ds hasn't got tons of homework this weekend ( he measures the success of a day in terms of how much homework he gets so all is well so far- that won't last!!)
For the trumpet and associated other instruments all of the instruments have the same fingerings etc but you have to learn to play them differently to achieve the sound that you want . So a cornet shouldn't be played to sound like a trumpet and the transposing trumpets play in a different key so you follow the music as normal but have to find where the note 'sits' when you are producing the sound .