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Extra-curricular activities

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

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Original poster

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

712 replies

CruCru · 14/01/2019 09:46

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.

OP posts:
ZakStarkey · 23/01/2019 21:33

Not pressurised- apparently a lot better than it was a decade ago- in terms of pressure.
Boarding- I would say it depends on the child- but as a sixth former I imagine he would be fine. 1/2 the school is sixth formers.

Siriusmuggle · 23/01/2019 22:50

Thanks, that sounds positive

pushyviolinmum · 24/01/2019 03:55

Hi all

Does anyone know if there are secondhand selling groups (eg faceb**k) for violin bits?

Specifically I'm looking for a good shoulder rest for a 1/8 violin - something shaped like a Wolf or a Kun one, so not flat but not massively shaped, and not too heavy. They cost considerably more when new than the (secondhand) 1/8 violin did, so I thought it could be worth seeing if I can find a secondhand one before i spend 30 quid and another 15 quid's postage on it. We're not in the UK and a good 400km from the nearest violin shop which is why it's so expensive and difficult to get anything. I know you can use a sponge and a few rubber bands but I find that massively uncomfortable and I think DS hates it too (hard to tell with a toddler - he likes my shoulder rest, hates his sponge one, and currently prefers his violin without a shoulder rest, which means he's not great at holding it).

i'm a slight impostor on this thread as DS is 26 months and we have only been "practising" on the 1/8 violin for the last couple of weeks. NB DS is huge so 1/8 is actually close to being the right size for him...

catkind · 24/01/2019 08:28

Hi pushy (feels wrong calling you that!) - I think the right sized piece of foam combo can be very comfortable, i had a manufactured rest that was basically a piece of foam most of my life till they stopped selling the one I liked. So you could try experimenting with different thickness or positioning. But you could also try Fom brand rests - much cheaper and seemed quite robust when DD had one. (Also cuuuuute!) Or it may be just getting used to holding a violin, it is quite an odd position till you get used to it!

NeleusTheStatue · 24/01/2019 11:07

I suppose you could find plenty of secondhand violin bits on eBay...? I once sold DS's old bow on eBay. Though you have to know which brand/model to look for, so it may be tricky if you don't know which to buy and can't try them out.

DS's ex teacher used to order loads of different sizes and thicknesses of sponge-typed rests from US, and his pupils were given whatever worked for them. They were easy to adjust as they grow too. Sometimes two sponges were put together to achieve the best fit. I think a normal shoulder rest could be quite rigid and uncomfortable for toddlers? Sponges are lighter as well.

TaggieOHara · 24/01/2019 16:14

For tiny ones, the best thing may be a trimmed down kitchen sponge (removing the scouring bit!). You can attach it with an elastic band. DS2 had this when he first started. I used to tailor the sponge to fit him, letting it get gradually thicker as he grew. Seemed to work well and was much more comfy than a full shoulder rest.

He now uses a kun, which suits him physically but pops off the violin at crucial moments.

ZakStarkey · 24/01/2019 16:40

Oh and new DOM is a horn player too Sirius Smile

Original poster
CruCru · 24/01/2019 17:22

Hello

Sorry I haven't been around much. Not a whole lot has happened here, music-wise. My son has started a new book in piano and seems to be making progress in trumpet - I'm trying to get him to play more quietly (his current technique is to blow as hard as humanly possible) but he's only seven, he'll get it eventually.

Our school put a note in the newsletter to say that they are looking for more children to learn the bassoon. The insanely pushy part of me thought "Oooooooh, cool, unusual instrument!" Then I gave myself a shake and decided that I can't supervise practise on yet another thing - plus I've never played any woodwind instrument (apart from recorder, which I taught myself) so wouldn't know how to help with practise.

OP posts:
catkind · 24/01/2019 17:44

On the subject of playing loudly - DS takes persuasion to drop below forte on the piano, DD rarely plays above mp. Lovely dynamic range between the two of them but no wonder duets was a battle! Trumpet for little lungs must be hard work, sure he'll get more control soon :)

April2020mom · 24/01/2019 18:04

My stepdaughter learns the piano. She is currently working on ABRSM grade one material. I’m not sure if I want her to do any formal exam yet or not. For half a hour she sits there at the piano playing with her teacher once a week. She just finished her second book of pieces so that’s good. She’s a bright child. I always tell her so.

Boyskeepswinging · 24/01/2019 18:16

Hi Cru
plus I've never played any woodwind instrument (apart from recorder, which I taught myself) so wouldn't know how to help with practise
Don't let this put you off - neither my DH nor I had any experience of percussion but it's not hindered DS (14, currently choosing his repertoire for his diploma). His teacher has been great in pointing out stuff that we can help with. Being musicians ourselves has definitely helped but I still don't know my paradiddles from my flams Blush
Your post touched a nerve with me as I desperately wanted to play the bassoon but didn't have the opportunity. 40-odd years later I still look longingly at the bassoon section in orchestras! And it's an endangered instrument ... just sayin' ...

NeleusTheStatue · 24/01/2019 18:54

Plenty patents on this thread can't play any instrument (including myself), CruCru. Smile But I understand the time issue of multi-instrumentalists. I didn't let DS take up other instruments when he showed interest due to the logistic reasons. Still feel bad about it sometimes. But you don't need to be a child to learn something so he'll take up one day if he really wants.

Original poster
CruCru · 24/01/2019 19:13

I think the bassoon is a lovely instrument. However, neither child has expressed any interest in it so this would be due to me (both children asked several times to learn to play piano / trumpet / violin). If either wanted to learn to play it, we’d look at it then. I think they have enough time out of lessons (music lessons are done throughout the day at school).

Plus, an adult bassoon is about £5k. Crumbs.

OP posts:
busyspinning · 24/01/2019 19:14

I can’t play either the piano or a brass instrument!! But I do love music and help when I can - even if it’s just to drive them around !!

NeleusTheStatue · 24/01/2019 21:09

Me too! I love music!

DS has done his concerts this week and I managed to see all. What's a privilege to be able to attend such concerts. The parents of mini musicians are so lucky, aren't we? Lovely to feel I'm still part of his musical journey too.

catkind · 24/01/2019 22:19

Yay neleus, glad you could make the concerts. Must be quite a musical treat.

I'm feeling very lucky today too. Just from playing accompaniments with both kids and all of us enjoying it. Sod exams and performances, this is what I do music for, playing lovely music with lovely people :)

NeleusTheStatue · 25/01/2019 00:23

Aw, that's so lovely, catkind.

LooseAtTheSeams · 25/01/2019 08:16

Just to reassure any non-musician parents - a friend of mine doesn't play an instrument but she uses the notes in her DS's practice book to make sure he covered what the teacher wanted him to work on. (She does joke that these days she could probably do the theory exams!) He's on about grade 7 on his instrument now and doesn't need prompting but I know his early rapid progress had a lot to do with her just being there, encouraging him to practise, and being interested.
Both my dcs are beyond my musical ability level, needless to say!

minisnowballs · 25/01/2019 09:28

Umm... yes Looseattheseams - that's encouraging. I can't play any of my children's instruments. However, I do sit there with their practice diaries going "umm... x says you should have the thumb on the back of the neck - are you doing that?" (and inwardly thinking .... 'which bit is the neck again?'.

With cello I am still not actually sure which is an up and which is a down bow (oops). But the teachers inform me that my hopeless supervision is enough to help them make the progress. I'm also grateful for technology - a tuner app/Youtube and the ABRSM practice partner go a long way!

woolleybear · 25/01/2019 11:06

I have never learned an instrument but still feel sometimes can be relatively constructive during practice for dd though I don't sit through every practice now as I used to. Now she is practicing for grade 5 I find I can't really contribute much for pieces (new one this week!) other than ask questions, and make positive noises to encourage. I can sit there with a list of scales and ask which ones she knows, which ones need practice etc, and ask for random ones so the same ones don't get done every practice. And it is relatively easy to hear if they are right or wrong.

druidsong · 25/01/2019 12:51

This reply has been withdrawn

Withdrawn at poster's request

KittyOSullivanKrauss · 25/01/2019 13:01

Interesting discussion on supporting practise. I got to grade 2 piano in my early teens and looking back I can see that my progress and exam marks were down to lack of regular practise. I think my parents just left me to it so I didn't do much and then got in a vicious cycle of not enjoying the lessons because I hadn't practised enough in between. I'd forgotten everything from my piano lessons when DS started (apart from where middle C was!) but I've picked it up again along with him. My little bit of knowledge is helpful but I think the main thing is just being supportive & encouraging daily practise. He's easily much better than me now on the piano. I've considered lessons and maybe doing grade 3 alongside him but I'm not sure it's a great idea to have us both going through exam stress at the same time!

I have no experience of string instruments so the cello is quite alien for me but again, just encouraging regular practise and making supportive noises seems to be helpful. We also had a revelation this week that poor practise sessions were often linked to DS being hungry. Don't know why I hadn't realised this before but it does at least seem easy to fix!

Siriusmuggle · 25/01/2019 13:02

He is indeed ZakStarkey, he's one of my son's musical role models and a lovely chap.

PaddingtonPaddington · 25/01/2019 13:44

druidsong many thanks for the link will be passing on to DD

horseymum · 26/01/2019 09:07

Not lots happening here but just enjoyed playing Telemann treble recorder duets with DD on her new recorder, just lovely to have that time with her. Also she is getting better than me as her oboe playing means her breath control is so much better than mine! Finally she is getting a lesson after several weeks, she is looking forward to getting some proper input instead of me just sticking my nose in!