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.

Thank you, Neleus, it is really helpful!!

Re the humidifier, my DD's violin case is also quite compact, so I will try the same one for her too. It is quite expensive (at least more than I thought...) isn't it? but I am sure it does a great job. I have just bought Guillaume Rosin online (still waiting for its delivery). It is much more expensive than her current rosin. See if it's worth the money!!

Re auditions, thank you for your advice on the pieces and dress code. I was so relieved to hear that the same pieces will be OK for the second round. But do you think it will sound better if she plays different pieces? I mean, playing different pieces from the first round would be more advantageous?

DD also plays the piano but started only 6 months ago and her level is still very low (the main aim of her learning the piano is to pass Grade 5 theory). So she has no second study to present. I think this is quite disadvantageous already... (although RCM website says it is not!)

Sorry I keep asking!

bunny, I don't think it'll be particularly advantageous to play different pieces. The people in the audition room aren't the same from 1st to 2nd round anyway (though one of them could be). They look through beyond what a child plays so I really don't think it matters much whether you play different pieces, what pieces, etc.

I know plenty DCs who got in without second study so again, no, I don't think it'll be disadvantageous. Most of them are encouraged to take up piano or viola or something once they are in (but be aware they don't normally offer lessons below grade 5 standard so you have to arrange the lessons outside then you can apply to study the second or third instruments once you reach the required standard).

Someone asked me much to prepare. In case you were also wondering about it, I can reassure you that they don't expect anything overly prepared, especially at younger age which I assume your's is. They know exactly what they are looking for so a bit of mistakes here and there from nerves really don't matter. Just prepare as usual for any performance she does then that'll be enough for them to see what they want to see.

Someone asked me much to prepare = Someone asked me HOW much to prepare....

Hi, Neleus, thank you very much for all your advice. I feel so much better now!!

It is very useful to know about second study, too. I did not know that they offer lessons only for higher levels.

Just prepare as usual for any performance she does then that'll be enough for them to see what they want to see.

This is very nice to hear.... Yes, mine is quite young - 9 years old. I will tell her to enjoy her audition!!

Thank you very much!

Actually we only learnt that at least grade 5 standard was required for second study to have lessons there from the other parent. The mum told me she wanted her dc to have all the lessons under one roof but couldn't as it wasn't advanced enough. But I never discussed this with jd directly so I don't really know the truth and how flexible they are.

Good luck with the audition. We are waiting to hear about DS2 but I am not very hopeful.

DS1 played in a concert this weekend, we really enjoyed it. Two orchestras performed.The other orchestra composed and performed some of their own music, and som5ee children sang, played electric guitar etc with the orchestra. It was great.

His bow got damaged, the horse hair has completely come away from its socket. Looks like we'll need a new one. He also needs a new ,full size, bass!

He is getting so much more positive about his music after years of enforced lessons.

Well, happy news came in. Someone we know got an offer from Curtis. Simply amazing but not totally surprising. Just wow.

Thank you, Neleus, that kind of information (which you can get through word of mouth) is often more useful than that you can get on their website etc.

Curtis is the one in the States? that's amazing!

Thank you, Mitsouko67. Good luck to your DS2 too!

Just googled it, it's so tiny, especially considering that they have no age boundaries.

We had the audition outfit discussion here tonight. I advised DD to play it safe (black culottes and plainish top) but maybe I should have said wear what you like. She prioritises comfort above all when playing! Especially daft to worry I suppose as she's playing to people who see her every day.

I wouldn’t worry too much Swaying- obviously opt for appropriate but comfortable. Like you say- they see her everyday anyway - they already know her.
Hope audition goes well- although I’m sure it will x

Wow- Curtis- sounds pretty amazing!!!

I have tried to reign in the grunge Shakira look slightly!

I love the American confidence of the Curtis info video. It doesn't really get across what it's actually like to go there as a child though (I assume vanishingly rare?). Do they do online high school maybe?

Yes, that's the one in the States. It's tiny but has to be as all get a full scholarship therefore incredibly selective. It's the toughest and hardest music college to get in in the world, isn't it?

There is a very interesting article of Ray Chen talking about his experience at Curtis - feeling out of his depth and learning to bounce back. He was only 16 when he got in.

Sounds like we have a few auditionees on this thread.

Not sure if it helps but just to share what I learnt... If you are worried about getting nervous, or indeed you get nervous on the day, you can remind yourself that feeling nervous isn't a bad thing but just a natural thing to happen so no panic needed. Feeling nervous is not something you must eliminate nor fight against as it'll more likely be there almost always when you challenge something important to you. The best way to deal with it is learn your own reaction to it (as each has different reaction), anticipate it's coming, accept it, and go with it. You have to build a good relationship with it!

Good luck to all brave soldiers!

Wise words Nelius - must show that to DD2 so that she can use her nervousness in a positive way.

@bunnymum9 thanks for asking these not silly! questions. My son (10) will be auditioning at a couple of JDs in London next month, also only plays one instrument, piano, (well the other doesn’t ‘count or matter at JD as it’s accordion 🤣) and was just going to dress smart casual and might have 2 rounds as well. Totally new waters for us too. Best of luck to your dc!!

@neleus yes, very good advice re nervousness. We also play games where ds jumps in place for 5 min to get his heart rate up and then Immediately plays his sad and slow Chopin nocturne.. 🤪🤣

Thanks to all who gave advice on new cello bow/fierce accompanist for dd2. Exam was last Friday- she says she thinks it went ok. Dh (who took her) said accompanist was kind and encouraging this time.
Now we wait- but she is happy. Thanks also to whoever recommended the cello movie themes- she sightread her way through a few of them this morning so I guess they aren’t completely impossible- and she was very enthused by having the tune for a change (her friend is a violinist in the same ensemble and apparently always gets the best parts)

Doubleup, I know it's easy to say isn't it? But you just have to keep telling her nervousness isn't all negative.

We also play games where ds jumps in place for 5 min to get his heart rate up and then Immediately plays his sad and slow Chopin nocturne..
That's such a hardcore, zeemama! 😂

Which nocturn is he playing? DS played Chopin's polonaise for jd auditions and is currently playing a nocturn. Love Chopin.

Neleus, that's really helpful advice re nervousness (also helps me a lot!!).

zeemama, I love

We also play games where ds jumps in place for 5 min to get his heart rate up and then Immediately plays his sad and slow Chopin nocturne.

I will try this with DD tonight! (One of her audition pieces is very sad and slow) Good luck to your DS, too!

Thanks, bunnymum9, have fun! It’s a good shake out during practice anyway! :D

@neleus, no 20 C sharp minor one (very overplayed I know! Hope that won’t ruin his chance but he loves it so much).. . He also has learned couple of mazurkas, waltz and another nocturne... big Chopin fans here!

Ah, DS played it for grade 7. Such a beautiful piece. Is he using the ABRSM version? Apparently it's a bit different from the more known version especially the trills. DS's teacher hated it and said DS should learn 'the right version' after the exam.

@neleus no the Henle Version. Teacher not into exams or Abrsm 🤷‍♀️

I think that's a good choice! Good luck!

Thank you @neleus. Wish we could share short videos here :) I’m way more nervous than him I think. He’s only 10 so plenty of time but plays hours daily.