January to March 2019 music thread (Title edited by MNHQ)

[CruCru]

Hi all

Here is the new music thread for January - I hope no one minds me starting it.

I am mum to a son (7) who is learning the piano and trumpet and a daughter (5) who is learning the piano and violin. I am having piano lessons and played the trumpet as a child.

Some of the people on these threads (and their children) are fantastic musicians. Some are more like me. All are welcome.

Thank you to Wafflenose for all the time she has spent managing these threads.

So he's 91 now then! Hope he's still playing.

My amatuer orchestra has at least two 80+ year olds, one a former violinist from a national professional orchestra, one double bass player who used to be a music teacher. The only reason he is thinking about giving up is lugging his bass in and out of his car/ house every week. They are still very lucid ( and opinionated!)

Catkind "Herts I do wonder if teachers are so used to parents pushing for exams they assume we are without listening to what I'm actually saying."

• yes sure that there is an element of that. My kids went to a private prep school and the competition among parents for grades (and everything else!) was crazy at times so I think lots of the music teachers just assumed that was what everybody wanted.

One happy DD here after hearing she got a space on the next NYOinspire day. Is your DS going raspberry ? If so hopefully see you there 🙂

Hi Lots - dd also has an Inspire place; maybe time for a mn music meet up if thee are a few of us!

@Lotsofmilkonesugar @Stringchild
Many congrats on getting onto an Inspire day! Did you apply the minute they opened applications? Indeed, do they give out places in order of application or do they use other criteria? Just wondered as they are giving a time when applications open for the next Inspire. TIA

Boys - no idea how they allocate but I guess it depends on numbers applying on which instrument; dd’s Friend has a reserve place and did apply a little later than us I think

Thanks, String. So did you apply the minute it opened? My DS applied when he got home from school that day but he only got reserve. Am now kicking myself that I didn't do it myself but there were questions that I felt he needed to answer rather than me.

Hi from memory dd applied a few of days after it opened, and her friend a couple of days after that

Thank you. It does sound like it might be simply order of application. I'll just need to be on it for the next one, particularly now I know DS's answers!

No, we didn't apply this time. Its too far for us.

The website says the days are given out on first come first served depending on instrument. But some places are already allocated for unsuccesful applicants for the residentials. DS2 has a place allocated on the July Day. Though he got a waiting list place for the residential so not sure if that has been removed

If its like previous years, the next application date will be for both July and Leeds in September . You can apply for both.

The reserve lists do move - I had to cancel our July place last year.

Oh and congratulations to Lotsofmilk and Stringchild. They are fab days.

Thank you Raspberry. As DS applied quite early I guess there's a chance he's quite high up the reserve list. But thinking about it the July date actually works better for us so I'm not stressing about it.

That’s great stringchild we should try and meet at the concert. Hope to see you another time raspberry. Boys we did apply during the day but also DD was previously unsuccessful in applying for the residential so I’m not sure if that was taken into account. I think a lot of it depends on how popular your instrument is

Lots Absolutely - I see they are still open for some instruments, including oboe and horn Must say I was surprised that percussion filled up so quickly, it's usually one of the endangered species. So hopefully that is an encouraging sign!

Random qn - in Trinity exams they have a limited range of tempo markings for sight reading. DC seems to get either allegretto or moderato. Does anyone know which is supposed to be faster? And/or how fast DC should be aiming for to not get points deducted? In my mind they're both a middling sort of speed.

My band has 1 over 80 and 1 who will be 80 soon. Im the only one under 50. It means there are a lot of pairs of glasses with various strengths to aid note reading (which are often shared round when things are forgotten 🤣)

Thanks for the advice on ear plugs- pair of ACS Pacato 16s arrived yesterday! Bargain at £13.95 compare to £180 for moulded custom fit ones! They fit well and DD isn’t anxious about losing one as there weren’t £££££ a pair! Might have to get a spare pair in!

That is a huge saving!

Hello

Not a lot has happened here. My piano teacher was pleased with me yesterday and has given me a bit of composing to have a go at.

I sat in on my children’s trumpet and violin lessons - turns out I’ve been a bit too ambitious about practice for the younger child. My son’s trumpet teacher told me that the higher notes will get quieter soon (I was a bit relieved - I’d forgotten how loud a trumpet can be and we live in a terraced house).

Cru that sounds brilliant - well done on the composing.
I decided not to do the grade 5 exam and was very happy switching to some Bach etc. Now my teacher is mentioning looking at the (newer) grade 5 book. I am going to resist this unless there's anything especially nice in it!

It isn’t all that good, I have to admit.

Sounds good cru, loose are you studying piano as well? I’m getting ready for a singing exam this term, it’s good to be reminded what the kids go through.. especially not wanting to practise that 3rd piece that you don’t really like! Sympathies on the brass practise, we have a French horn in the house which really carries. Thankfully now he’s working on grade 5 stuff it sounds more like a horn and less like a baby elephant 🐘 🙂

Yes, piano here too.
Sounds like it's just as well I didn't take up a brass instrument - we're in a terrace!