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.

Don’t worry Neleus, may I ask how old your dc was when joining? Mini Zee would be 2 months shy of 11 in September, when visiting they assured us he’s not too young but in reality most were teenagers. I have to admit I wasn’t that charmed with the actual building (Guildhall, sorry, just looks a bit like a train station? 😂) but don’t necessarily have to stay there all day anyway with him, right?

It’s not a looker is it !! The concert venue that they use is great though .
No you don’t have to stay - lots of ds’s friends who live fairly close just take themselves there ( and to other jds) now they are in year 9

@busyspinning, haha yes. What year did they start if you don’t mind me asking?

DS was 9 at the auditions and 10 when he started. There were plenty young kids, some joined a couple of years earlier and some at the same year as DS. DS quickly made a bunch of good friends both girls and boys and had lots of fun. But he was lucky perhaps. I know someone who joined a few years earlier at the same age as DS, and there weren't many kids at his age in the year. So it took a while for him to find his people. He was a pianist, so that may also made a bit difficult for him to blend in quickly. He didn't mind though!

I'm not talking about Guildhall as DS didn't go there but I guess it'll be similar? If you want to stay the area, you can go to The Barbican Centre. They have great cafes. Lots seem to bring laptop and work while waiting.

Neleus, ah ok thanks. Maybe it varies then as RAM have a special under 12 division (primary academy) but Guildhall officially starts at 10 though they make exceptions we were told.

DS auditioned for Guildhall and RCMJD. He didn't like RAM Primary.

DoS at Guildhall indicated there were plenty of DS's age when we were considering whether to take up the offer. So I guess there are quite a few young kids like RCMJD and RAM. At least I know one who is a year younger than DS at Guildhall. A brilliant violinist.

I think they were all a bit older than your ds - maybe year 8 or 9

When we sat in on piano workshop there were 2 under 10 and maybe 2 10-11yr olds. Ds’ teacher (who’s been teaching at junior G for a long time) seemed to think it starts at 11/12 for pianists but the piano coordinator also confirmed that ds was not too young. Yet when I tried to apply online it wouldn’t accept his birthday and was told we’ll be sent a special link... 🤔

Not sure if they changed the requirement. It wasn't a case for us.

Or, I might be having a terrible memory loss... I'm pretty sure I didn't need a special link just because of DS being only 9... But now I am not so confident. Sorry for my useless brain (age, I assume...).

Don’t worry Neleus. RCM i couldn’t get a visit space for but then again only really considering Guildhall with his teacher (still) there and quicker commute. Maybe this special link (not gotten it yet) is a sign to leave it another year..

PS in case anyone else is interested. Both RCM and J Guildhall state 8-18 years..

I've got a DD at Junior Trinity and as far as I'm aware, the expectation is very much for the JD teacher to be the only one for the first study. There are students there who receive quite a bit of input from other teachers during the week but in ensembles, not a 1:1 scenario.

In terms of ear plugs, DD has ACS Pacato 16. They're not the custom made ones but are a good size and are the same as supplied to the younger Chethams students.

Can I ask if your children get stretched at all in class music at a normal high school. Eg if you were well advanced in maths you would be in a higher set or given harder work and may even take a qualification earlier. Just wonder if class music is just going to be 'fun' music making ( which has its place too obviously) . I did see a tweet from the school music department and it was a multiple choice quiz asking which of these symbols was a crotchet!! I thought DD might just be better practising but then she would miss out on being with friends but then is it beneficial to be plinking away on a keyboard?

Cru, when my DD wanted to learn something as well as piano, we asked around for a teacher who could let her try flute oboe clarinet and bassoon, as she knew it was an orchestral wind instrument she wanted to do. We booked an hour and he played some things on each, let her try each , even did a mini lesson and then let her hear them again and try the ones she liked best again, it was very relaxed and fun. She was very definite by the end that it was oboe ( maybe she already knew in her head, who knows!) and has not wavered at all in her dedication. He is know her teacher and is fab.

Hi Horsey I think my DS being a relatively advanced musician in his very mixed ability classes actually did him a lot of good. He took on a tutoring role in the class (very much encouraged by the teacher) and helped the less able children eg those that couldn't read music. This really boosted his confidence and his standing in the class and rather than being the weirdo that does music at weekends rather than sport suddenly he was the kid showing them how to make cool sounds on the keyboards. He really enjoyed the joint composition projects as others brought in completely different ideas. So to some extent it stretched him as he had to find ways to incorporate lots of conflicting ideas and abilities into one composition. But then I think plinking away on a keyboard is really important, anyway, and all children should be allowed time to noodle on their instruments. My DS was trying to recreate Giorgio Moroder on the piano last night which did make me

Thanks for that boys, it's reassuring to hear he enjoyed class music still, I think her improvisation etc needs to improve so maybe the more relaxed atmosphere will help that. She also hasn't done composition before so will enjoy that.

Horsey it sounds like she'll get a lot out of it - just be prepared for some odd sounds coming from your piano. After the disco inferno last night we've got Superstition tonight

Can I just say this...? I really really REALLY like oboe's sound. Unfortunately no woodwind in our household though (apart from odd recorder).

Thanks for comments on ear plugs! We will investigate further!

Thank you all. I’ve sent my friend a bunch of links - she’s probably had enough of hearing from me on this now. I hope they pick something he enjoys.

Ah, my friend said how helpful all the links I sent her were (I’m a bit relieved, I tend towards bossiness). I was in Phil Parker this morning (needed slide-grease) and the lady there said they know a bunch of teachers - may be that a student at one of the conservatoires will be happy to go to the house to give lessons.

Yay, great to hear Cru. It's good to know the nest of vipers still has pockets of useful mutual support

Pacato ear plugs are issued to kids at dd school. They have just been given new ones for upcoming concerts.
If you don't invest in these make sure what you buy will actually protect their ears rather than just mute a bit of sound.
I'm not sure if these are exactly the same but know they are called Pacato as read the email. www.amazon.co.uk/Planet-Waves-PWPEP1-Pacato-Earplugs/dp/B007X3DEM8?tag=mumsnetforum-21