Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Extra-curricular activities

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

Original poster

October Music Thread

995 replies

Wafflenose · 01/10/2018 22:17

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!

OP posts:
catkind · 02/10/2018 15:33

Hi april2020mum, how old are your twins? Have they seen/liked any particular instruments? In the absence of any immediate preference from the child, I'd look for a teacher or group with a great reputation locally and see if child fancies that instrument. There are often kids' concerts introducing different instruments, or watch things online (BBC Young musician clips? There are lots of introducing the orchestra type videos too.) Are you thinking both on the same instrument or completely different so they don't compete?

As for finding teachers, word of mouth is often the best recommendation - do you know anyone with older kids playing and doing well? Ask who teaches them. We found DD's brilliant teacher by calling a teacher I'd heard of. The first couple of people I spoke to didn't have space but both highly recommended current teacher (and one of them said current teacher was teaching her own kids, now there's a recommendation!).

It's not a guarantee but often private schools with a strong music department will scoop up the best local teachers. So that's another source to find names then Google to see if they have a private teaching practice.

druidsong · 02/10/2018 15:48

This reply has been withdrawn

Withdrawn at poster's request

Trumpetboysmum · 02/10/2018 16:08

Yes herts good luck to your ds in the final . It will be an amazing experience
I’m sure someone from ds’s school regularly gets to the final of I think the same competition and he always does the most electrifying solo at the school’s Christmas concert . I reckon the audience are in for a treat Smile

Trumpetboysmum · 02/10/2018 16:11

Also forgot to say:
Patrick I hope your ds feels better soon

Lots of milk good luck to your dd at her audition ds is also playing unaccompanied pieces as our venue is miles and miles from where we live. He auditioned unaccompanied last time too and it really didn’t make a difference . In fact he’s only ever played one accompanied piece at an NCO audition

Floottoot · 02/10/2018 16:18

lots of milk, perfect choices! Both show playing personality but in different ways - lots of colours in the Debussy, and expression in the Bach through interpretation and musical understanding. Wonderful!

hertsandessex · 02/10/2018 16:26

Thank you Druid - sure it will be fun whatever happens. Just found out they have to play one the 6 tracks didn't play in regionals but only get told which one a few days before. Mean. Guessing they will push out of comfort zone and DS will get heavy rock! :)

ealingwestmum · 02/10/2018 16:27

Haha, SO relatable here Druid! Across DD’s music and swimming Grin

Lotsofmilkonesugar · 02/10/2018 16:54

Thank you floot and trumpet and good luck to your DS too trumpet. I’m sure you’re right that they mark them the same even if unaccompanied but if it was me I would be more nervous going in alone! But DD seems unconcerned so I won’t say that to her!

PatricksViolin · 02/10/2018 17:05

Thanks Trumpet. DS is doing alright - he has apatite so that's good. Hard to decide whether I should take him to school tomorrow as he is worse in mornings but we have to leave at 6.30am so I have very little time to observe him if he'll be OK...

He woke up briefly and started drawing trees with unbelievable concentration. He doesn't draw or paint usually so no idea what made him do that suddenly... He seemed to use up all his energy for creating the masterpiece and now returned to bed for another nap. He could have practised or done homework with the energy...

ZakStarkey · 02/10/2018 18:07

2 musos here,
11 yrs old dd- violinist
9 yrs old dd- percussionist.
Currently practicing for NCO Auditions and school performances. Smile
Reading the practice threads with interest. Dd 11 practices independently, 9 year old still requires assistance....

hotdog74 · 02/10/2018 19:11

Hi everyone.

I have one DD who is nearly 8 and has just started clarinet lessons at school. Today was her third ever lesson so we are very much in the "beginner" territory and she needs us to listen to her practise and remind her each time. It was her choice to start learning after a taster session last term so I hope this is normal!

I'm not sure how much enthusiasm I can drum up this week as her pieces haven't changed today so it is another week of "when the saints go marching in" and "merrily we roll along".

It's interesting to read about all your children and how they have developed. She seems to be fairly musical but neither I nor DH have any real musical talent so will be interesting to see how she goes. I can see that I am going to have my work cut out following this tread working out all the acronyms. Is there a handy guide anywhere please? :-)

hertsandessex · 02/10/2018 19:34

ZakStarkey - I'm guessing there was a name change at some point that I missed. Are you working your way through a list of drummers? Phil Collins next? :)

ILovePandas · 02/10/2018 19:37

Hello non musical parent with a musical DD playing violin and piano. Studying hard for grade 5 theory in November and piano exam December. Decided against auditioning for the county orchestra this year as DD has just too many other things on.

Floottoot · 02/10/2018 19:39

Welcome, hotdog.☺ As long as you're supportive of your DD's music making, that's the important bit. You'll be surprised at how quickly you'll learn how to help her. The early lessons can be a bit...trying, but she sounds like she's going to make quick progress, so it's all positive.

NCO = National Children's Orchestra
JD = junior department, which means junior department of one of the music colleges, and involves attending on Saturdays for lessons, ensembles, musicianship classes etc.

RomanyRoots · 02/10/2018 19:42

Zak

I can recommend your next changes Grin

Art Blakey - Buddy Rich - Max Roach.

hertsandessex · 02/10/2018 19:50

lol Romany that is more the style of my DS - loves bebop. But Benny Greb seems to be the modern day hero.

RomanyRoots · 02/10/2018 19:58

herts

I should introduce him to my dh Grin will pm you with a link to his website, he's not selling anything Grin
That's if I can manage it.

hertsandessex · 02/10/2018 20:00

Please do. Sounds interesting :)

ZakStarkey · 02/10/2018 20:09

Ha- herts- you are correct. Maybe Keith Moon next, although little percussionist now likes Art Blakey- she’s downloaded his best of on her iTunes. Romany Smile

RomanyRoots · 02/10/2018 20:18

herts

If your name means you are in Hertfordshire, dh said he's playing at the festival on Friday night, with Jazz at the Philharmonic, if you fancy it.
He often asks women he doesn't know Grin

Crazygirlmama · 02/10/2018 21:44

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

folkmamma · 02/10/2018 22:32

Lovely to have new contributors to the thread! Looking forward to hearing how your DC's get on 😊

Epic music mum fail here tonight. The screaming banshee made an appearance.... 😔

Floottoot · 02/10/2018 22:35

Flowers Folk . I think she visited here after she'd been at your house. 😩

Crazygirlmama · 02/10/2018 22:49

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

TaggieOHara · 02/10/2018 22:51

Poor folk there is nothing more infuriating than stubborn mini-musicians!! Have a Wine

patrick hope DS is soon on the mend! As he is at a boarding school, he could always go back with an arrangement for him to rest for some of the day?

It has been a super busy couple of days so I am not up to date. Apologies! And welcome new people!

In the meantime, I am mum to two DSes. Here, I mainly post about DS2. DS2 is 10 and plays the violin and piano. He is also a chorister. Like many here, he plays in the NCO and Pro Corda as well as in various School ensembles.