October Music Thread

[Wafflenose]

Welcome to the thread for October, which is open to ANYONE who wants to discuss music lessons, practice, exams, auditions, instrument hire/ purchase or whatever related issues you'd like to. Newbies are especially welcome, and we have some each month, often with beginners. All of our kids were beginners once.

I have two DDs. Goo is 12 and plays the flute and piano. She can also play recorders and the piccolo, but doesn't. We've just moved her to another piano teacher because the first one retired, so it's nice to hear her practising again. She has been learning for about 2.5 years and hasn't done any exams... nor is she intending to. On the flute we have extended range scales, the Chaminade Concertino and Bizet's Carmen Fantasy at the moment. She plays in 7 school ensembles and does NCO and South West Music School, although she's likely to be leaving both at various points during this academic year.

Rara is 10 and plays the cello and clarinet regularly, and recorder sometimes. She's vaguely working towards Grade 5 on both, but it might end up being 4 on the cello because of various aspects she's behind in... we'll see. I am still teaching her the clarinet and am currently super fed up because however kind, patient and helpful I am, she behaves in such a horrible way. We can't afford lessons. Ho hum. Rara also does NCO and SWMS. Under 11s will be beyond her, but she'll carry on with SWMS for now.

I am a teacher of woodwind!

The place has changed a lot Romany although it's still largely recognisable and Chatwins are still there!

Grade 5 theory help plea!

Does it include recognising/ writing augmented/diminished triads?
I can't find them in either the grade 4 or 5 syllabus, but they're in the All in One to Grade 5 book.

Oh, Chatwins, mmmm they used to do lovely chocolate eclairs
I do drive through occasionally if I'm visiting my dsis.
My birth family own tons of land round there, they must be loaded.
A beautiful place though, and so much History.

Yes, it does Floot
Mine found these easy as obviously did a lot at school, she struggled with other stuff.
She learned this song, when she was about 8, not sure if it will help anyone with intervals.

DS has been put forward to play at the school open morning on Sunday. He'll no doubt take it in his stride but I'm already feeling nervous for him. He's in good company I see Herts

lol Littleladsdad - just seen the details. Sure he will be fine although can appreciate the nerves :) Looks like a pretty small group thing rather than the full monty main stage. Just spoke to DS asking him what he will play and got the teenage "dunno" grunt. Only a few days away so no problem.

Floot, intervals yes, but I don't think we did diminished/augmented triads.

Well done to "Littlelad* I'm sure he'll be amazing.
It was dd's last week, I think some are coming down but music course starts on Friday so not sure if they'll make it.

I'm sure dd did triads, but apologies if I have it wrong, it may just be she was learning them anyway.

Patrick have you maybe hit competitive-music-parent-ville? I think you will find that DS gets drawn into more and more stuff as time goes on. Plenty of professional musicians manage to make it without being in nearly as ideal an environment as mini-patrick now is. Trust his teachers. If music turns out to be what he wants, he will have the opportunity.

Patrick, in the nicest way possible, most of us even in this group don’t have kids at specialist music school, whether through choice, circumstances, or because our DC’s are simply not at that level yet. I’m certainly not giving up on mine being a professional musician (if that's what she wants of course)! Soloist, possibly not. But she will certainly be good enough for many other very fulfilling doors to be open to her.

Patrick

I get in so much trouble for saying this but music schools are predominantly music with the bare min academic thrown in.
With the exception of Wells as that is very academic in comparison, from what I hear.
You'll find it different when it comes to GCSE's and A levels too.
Although, they do drop some musical activity during these times, it's really not much.
In Y7- Y9 dd was expected to practice Piano for an hour a day in the holidays, she only did 30 mins in school.
Then it was 2 hours for first study and an hour for third study.
I'm waiting to see what she has to do from Y10 onwards soon.

I really want her to do some sort of revision, summaries, pretty post it notes the latter definitely won't happen.

My dh usually practices for about 4 hours a day, then there's networking that happens for about another couple of hours over the day. Sometime's he's arranging, or writing, or heaven forbid teaching.
So, as a musician you do lots of practice.

It must have been a shock to you if you had no idea, that's a criticism of mine, I hear this a lot from parents and they/you should have had it explained.

Thanks, Romany and Folk.
We've covered augmented and diminished intervals but not triads, and I can't see mention of them anywhere in the syllabus.
I'll see whether I've got time after we've covered everything else...

Patrick, I went to JD but didn't go to a specialist music school, wasn't in NYO, didn't practise 6 billion hours a night...and I've had a career playing with some of the country's top orchestras. My husband has never taken an ABRSM or similar exam, and he's had a similar career. 😁
There is more than one way to skin a cat, so don't listen to other parents.

Just saw druid's post. Thanks for the kind words and the flowers... There are another turns in regard to the boarding dilemma today. So many things to think of. Wednesday is always my busiest, so that another reason why I feel like I need now!!!

So what exactly is it that the other students are doing? I'm a bit confused, Patrick.
Do you think you can put faith in the school to know what's best for miniPatrick?
It's such early days, at the school and in his life.

Floot, I'll PM you.

Yes, thanks herts. I think I still have doubt in our choice somewhere deep down, so little things like this make me overthink. Got to stop!

patrick. There is bound to be a spectrum of activity and involvement, even at specialist school. Some (but not all) DCs will be spending all of their holidays at advanced music camps overseas, for example. But as Floot says, there is more than one way to get to the end destination (whatever that is) and what is right for one child is not necessarily right for mini-Patrick.

If you are concerned, the people to talk to are your DS’s teachers and the school head, who can give you expert advice, perfectly tailored to mini-Patrick. I would not pay too much attention to what other parents claim their children are doing/might do/could do.

I also agree with herts that it is fine to relax for a while and see how things develop with your DS, as he settles into the school.

I lurk on this thread - been here a while but had to deactivate my old account.

I’ve got 2 dds. Dd1 (11 and in y6) plays the violin, piano and bassoon. She’ll be doing Grade 5 violin either next term or the term after, Grade 3 piano at some point plus Grade 1 bassoon (not bad given she only started in January). This term we’ve got Grade 3 theory - busy busy!

Dd is desperate to go to a specialist music school. Desperate. She had an advice audition last term and we’ll go back again at some point this term I think. I’ve no idea what her chances are but she’s driven - go to let her give it a shot!

Doubleup, how was the concert?
I've just seen a photo of Louise Alder in a beautiful red dress, complete with cape. She is a stunning singer - I saw her do Rosenkavalier last year.

Patrick - so sorry things are still feeding your doubts; Romany’s List of expectations matches what I have heard. There is def more than one route though - depends on the dream really; if it’s virtuoso soloist that needs a path quite different to other musical journies. Do talk to the school - it’s very early days. As an equally non-musical mom you have my completely sympathy in trying to find the best route and balance for dc.