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.

Zac.

talking of pressure, it does become apparent from around Y9, there's a bit more every year, depending of course on their programme, to the extent.
Dd has to decide soon what she is doing for 6th form even though only Y10. It will be interesting whether she chooses saxes, or Voice, can't see it being Piano, although she's doing gr5 soon.
They are having regular networking classes and she has a cv, followers on instagram and a work fb. They are also starting to look at conservatoire auditions as well as working for GCSE.
So, it does become a lot more demanding going up the school. There are no huge shocks though as it is sort of gradual rather than all expected in one year, which is good.

Hello all. I found myself in Manchester last week and dropped into the Cathedral to catch a lunchtime concert given by a couple of Chet's students, which I enjoyed.

Interesting information there Romany re insta/fb etc. As for pressure, I feel that DS has had a very gentle introduction and is coasting along at the moment - maybe things will start hotting up as the year progresses.

Hello littleladsdad

I think as well as the pressure comes more opportunities as they go through the school. I'm not sure if this is the same at them all.
I can remember dd complaining for a long time in Y7 that she didn't do much, then Y8 brought more opportunities, and now she seems to be turning some things down, as she has so much on.
I'm glad you enjoyed the concert.

Both of mine seem very busy already, but still little - so no pressure at this stage. The only pressure is from themselves- which is fine. I imagine you’re right- the pressure will intensify as they go further up the school.

Hello all

Struggling to find time to keep up with all the posts.

Question, and I’m sure it’s been asked before - looking for info/recommendations for custom fit ear plugs - ACS or ER? Not sure I know the difference tbh. Just looking for others experiences, should we get them with a neck cord or not? Less likely to lose one? Quite expensive, are they worth it? Would like to hear from others who’ve got them!

Thanks everyone

Hi all, just back from RIAM concert in National Concert Hall Dublin. DS1 16 plays double bass and is studying for Grade 6 this year. DS2 age 10 is studying uileann pipes and auditioning for RIAM next month. DD 18 did drama to grade 8 but didn't do it this year as she has exams.

Never thought of myself as a music mum but starting to get a kick out of it now. Dad does all the practice. I accompany DC to lessons concerts etc. Neither of us is musical.New to this so hope it's OK if I dip in and out.

Hello to Mitsouko67. Lovely to hear from a mum of a double bassist and an uilleann pipes player. Double bass is cool enough, but uilleann pipes!! I had to google it. Soooo cool.

WindMum, I'm afraid I cannot give you any advice from experience as we don't own custom made ear plugs yet but have been intending to invest ones as apparently they are the best option for musicians in a long run.

So if your question is whether I think the investments are worthwhile, then I would definitely say 'yes'.

I know there are two types of custom made ear plugs: filter types for the musicians playing or seated nearby to instruments that produce higher-flequency sounds and vented types for the musicians playing bass and lower-flequency instruments who want to shield themselves against high-flequency sounds from percussion or trumpet sections. Hope someone can come around to share more useful details.

Hi Mitsouko67!

I must admit that I dip in and out of the thread - as my children are so much younger than some of the kids on here, I don’t always have a lot to add.

Am just having a coffee after dropping the kids at school. They have an early start on Mondays because they’ve joined the choir. This weekend I got a bit ratty with them and took their devices away because I’d asked them to do their practise (and other homework) so many times.

Having said that, my son and I wrote a song (or rather he sang me a song he’d made up and I attempted to replicate the tune on the piano and write the notes on some stave paper I’d bought from Ryman’s). I’m not really very good - couldn’t really say I arranged it.

Thanks for the nice welcome and Cru Cru that sounds adorable!

Welcome Mitsouko !

Well, we've had a lovely musical weekend including a friend's Burns' Night party at which pretty much child and teen performs - including the older children who have long left my dd's primary. They've all gone on to different schools, and most take GCSEs this year. It was amazing to note that every single one of them is planning on taking Music A-Level. The (state) primary really pushes music, so it was fantastic to see the legacy that leaves later down the line.

My littler one stood up with great composure to play the flute piece she'd chosen, and it was so lovely to hear from people who hadn't heard her since the year before. As parents we don't notice the gradual improvements, I think - so it's nice when they do something like that.

Interesting comments on pressure at specialist schools. My DS is year 11 and it has definitely ramped up a lot albeit gradually. He is generally quite relaxed but definitely under a lot of pressure and sometimes being pulled in 10 different directions, albeit multiple instruments. Apart from GCSE's obviously this year, sixth form options, thinking seriously about music college and watching those in years above practice like mad and then succeed or fail, internal auditions/concerts, external competitions, next BBC around the corner, external orchestras, groups etc (although trying to minimise that), the odd paid gig here and there for pocket money, etc. There is also the realisation kicking in that this not just for fun but a serious life choice and that it's a tough world out there in which to succeed professionally.

Hi everyone, I have a question for anyone who has dc at any of the JDs in London. We had a visit at Guildhall and my son (10)got to play a little bit in a piano workshop with the head of dept there who encouraged him to audition afterwards so came home very happy. His current teacher is on piano staff there and was the one who mentioned the junior dept to us initially. Now said teacher told us ds may be forced to drop him if accepted?? (Teacher is uncertain he’ll be there too much longer due to busy concert schedule). Definitely would not want to drop this teacher who has a tight bond and raised his level of playing considerably. Anyone have any experience with this? Assuming he’d even get in haha not sure to hope for that now... tia

I think they have to change teachers for any of the jds ( apart from those who go to say Purcell and are allowed to just play in the orchestras etc) it’s for this reason that my ds isn’t going to apply for a bit as he’s just got a new teacher who he wants to work with . They can however have their old teacher in the holidays I think -

Hi Zeemama, no answer from me, just a similar experience in that we were seriously considering trying for a JD (DD, 10, plays violin) but her teacher said that we would probably have to drop her if she got in as the JD would take over tuition completely. This wasn't for us as DD also has a tight bond with her current teacher and we feel she has a lot more to teach her... for the moment at any rate. I'm guessing this may change at some point. Would be interested to hear others point of view and in general what age/level JD becomes more appropriate :)

Thanks busy and Bostik, yeah this is really putting me off as thought it would be more of a complimentary thing and thought his teacher could just request to have him in his timetable. My son is piano obsessed and plays hours every day and was like a fish in water but don’t want him to have to make an impossible choice :(

Thanks Druid, this is so stressful as only reason we only considered this particular jd is that his teacher is there (and has been for years). DS was so excited to audition, now I don’t know if he should.. how would the jd even know if you’re still seeing private teacher and what about non term time?

We have been having similar discussions here with DD(13). We are a long way from London but have been struggling to find her a new teacher for post grade 8 so I was thinking maybe we should apply. She didn’t click with the local teacher everyone recommended which was tricky. Luckily over the holidays she had a trial lesson with someone else and definitely wants to work with them so we will be putting applying for JD off for a year or two.

Ds’s old teacher said it would be quite confusing to have 2 teachers with both setting their own work and working on aspects of technique etc- and perhaps differently

But maybe you should just apply anyway and see what happens - ds had a really special bond with his previous teacher and I know they are planning to continue to play together ( for fun) even though ds now has a new teacher because they just get on so well -
For a long time ds wouldn’t entertain a new teacher but when circumstances eventually dictated that it was necessary it went surprisingly smoothly ( even though I aged considerably in the process ) and like I say now ds is keen to work with the new teacher for a while , even though it’s a very different relationship to that which he had with his first one

sometimes a leap into the unknown can be scary but end up being really beneficial good luck whatever you decide

Sorry cross posted with Druid !!

THanks for your responses, yes I can see how it would be impossible to have 2 teachers and certainly would never want ds to lie. They can spend a whole hour on one bar if need be, his teacher is very particular. Problem is the teacher says he is thinking of leaving but not sure so perhaps ds can apply and when he hears check with him again and them..? I should mention this teacher also lives 1 min away so ultra easy and convenient and charges me reduced rate as ds so keen and commited.

Committed sorry

What I found was, RAM Primary was the most flexible, Guildhall was negotiable for young DCs and RCMJD was a big fat NO apart from some special arrangements like Purcell pupils etc.

I am not sure if you are allowed to see your old teacher (for lesson) even just for one off arrangement during holidays. Holiday courses, master classes, special one off lessons with a particular teacher, all agreed by JDs are only allowed?

To be honest it does make sense though... Although I felt sad about leaving DS's old teacher, once new teaching started, we didn't think of arranging any one off lesson with him. So many changes can happen once you change teachers so going back to old teaching is a bit counter-productive.

However, you may be able to negotiate to keep the same teacher if you aren't talking about RCMJD,? Especially yours is still pretty young (and Guildhall did say they would consider when we asked).