Summer term 2019 music

[thirdfiddle]

A new installment of the long running music parent threads. Everyone is welcome from complete beginners to grade 8 and beyond. Thanks as ever to the lovely waffle for starting the threads up and looking after them for years. What are your plans for the coming term? Any exams, auditions, festivals, new instruments? Please come and chat.

Well done theory-ers so far. A pass is a pass, that's all you need :)
Queenmabby don't rule out adult sizes depending on style/length. DD has an adult size 4 concert skirt from H&M, she's a skinny but tall 7. It's easier to find black for adults.

Thistly thank you. Hopefully you will get good news soon.

violinmama well done to your dd.
Amazing results! Dd is also 8 and I was quite skeptical about her chances of passing.

94%! So pleased for DS2.

Well done all these brilliant results, I can remember having to wait for dc results over summer/xmas holidays, at times.

@Trufflethewuffle My DD is also going to be applying to conservatoires for autumn 2020. (Haven't joined this thread before, so hope it's okay to dip in.) But she's also applying abroad. Here, I think it's only Royal Scottish and Royal Academy - she wants to do composition. Can I ask what yours wants to do? We haven't been to RScot yet, or RA. She saw Trinity Laban, but it didn't fit her preferences.

For evening dresses we found Ever Pretty from Amazon quite reliable and cheap from around age 13- I altered as needed. She had blacks and brights as she sings solo and plays - but she now wants a proper gown, she's paying though!

Right off to bed. Looks like it will be Monday before we’ll receive anything now . So pleased to hear so many passes. What a bright bunch of kids we all have! . Back to the and for a few more days. All the best those still waiting!

hidingmystatus DD is a clarinet player.

She's planning on applying to several at the moment but may cut it down nearer the time. Guildhall is her favourite, also applying for RAM, RCM, Scottish and Welsh plus possibly Northern and Birmingham.

Also toying with the idea of Amsterdam.

Hi all

I dip in and out of these threads - my children play instruments but are still really young so I don’t always have much to write. They’re both now on the summer holidays and had end of year concerts which they both performed in so we’re all a bit shattered now.

I have a bit of a random question about violins. My daughter plays the violin, which we rent from Stringers. When do you start thinking about getting a better violin? I don’t mean a fantastic instrument for thousands but one that isn’t “entry level”.

It’s too early for us (Stringers don’t do the next level of instrument for my daughter’s size). My husband has been pondering bicycles (which are expensive and only get used once a weekend at most) so I wondered if it would make sense to spend a bit more on a violin (which she uses pretty much every day).

Sorry that was so badly written. You can tell I’m a bit tired.

I should also say that my daughter is diligent but is not a music prodigy (I know there are some young children who are fantastic). My daughter is still chuffed to bits at being able to play Twinkle, Twinkle. So I’m not expecting a fancy instrument to magically make her more advanced.

Cru cru, my dd got a nicer violin when she went full size. She worked up the sizes on second hand stentors etc, and then was gifted a beautiful violin and bow when she went full size. Our teacher put no pressure on for finding money for a more expensive violin, but I know other teachers advise differently. I would go with advice from teacher.

Music centre are too busy to send out results this weekend so it will be sometime next week. More cake for us, fiddle 🍰 🍰 🍰.

Great concerts though!
🎻 🎻 🎻 🎻

hello, can I just hop on the thread to ask a question about the G5 music theory exam? DC1 has recently achieved grade 5 on her instrument, and so I gather will need G5 theory to "unlock" the higher grades.

How important is it to go to a theory class? The local music service offers this, but it clashes with an ensemble she's in. I'd be happy to buy any study materials needed, and she's a good independent academic learner.

Congratulations to all those with their theory results. Hope results come quick for those still waiting!

TheTurnoftheScrew you only need G5 theory (or Jazz or Practical Musicianship) for ABRSM higher grades. My older DC did Trinity, they did study theory but never did the G5 exam. They did a lot of self studying . DS2 enjoyed theory so much he has done G6 as well, his piano teacher taught him.

Regarding concert dress i just managed to find a lovely (adult) Black wrap dress for 11 year old dd. It will need a stich in the back of the neck but the extra wrap length makes it very good for double bass playing fram a stool. 70% off in a random tiny shopping centre in denmark (only stopped because i really really needed the toilet )

Hi crucru, when you say entry level - you're talking stentor etc right, not eBay cheapy? Dd's teacher was very happy with stentors and similar up to 1/4 size. We have been enjoying having a nicer 1/2 at grade 2-3ish, possibly it's more for my benefit than DD noticing or caring still though. I personally didn't see much point mucking about with anything clever in 1/4 size, they're not on it long and as they get closer to full size you get much more benefit from upgrading. DD's teacher could make a lovely sound even with tiny stentors, so I couldn't really blame the instrument for the squeakiness anyway!

raspberryrippleicecream thank you. She is the kind of kid that does like working through the grades, plus has talked about a few auditions in future where certain grades are required. The music service enters them for ABRSM, so I think we are stuck with having to do G5 theory.

DS2 (11) had a very nice 19th century French half size, which cost about £600. We traded it in for more than that when he went to 3/4 (spent about £1000). Older instruments cost a bit more but keep their value, so you can trade them in when they go up to the next size. On that basis, I would say it is worthwhile to ‘invest’ in a decent half size, but no need to spend thousands. DS just got his grade 8 on the 3/4.

I do advise buying a decent bow, although many teachers say it isn’t worthwhile for less advanced players. DS2 has always had good bows and it makes playing so much easier!

CruCru : Agree with what PPs have said about nicer/better/expensive violins. Until it gets to 3/4 or 4/4, there isn't much point investing in something costly that they will outgrow quickly.

Both my DSs play violin so I was happy to pay more for a 3/4 as I knew it would be handed down. I pushed the boat out on the full size when DS1 started playing in public performances and needed a good instrument. To be honest - you can hear the difference. The first time DS1 tried his 4/4, we were both shocked at how loudly it projected. And then, you need to start thinking about the bow and strings!

Huge congratulations to all the Grade 5 theory passes - brilliant!! Dd has passed too - 88 so only 2 marks off a distinction- she’s thrilled- we only wanted a pass and to get it out of the way

DD had her first performance in the most junior of our county orchestras last night. Lovely setting in a local abbey. Thank you to those who suggested ASOS for a skirt. An adult size 4 midi skirt is just above ankle length on her. As it was most girls just had their school blouse and skirt on (clearly when they said 'full length' they didn't mean it) but DD much preferred having something else to wear!

Thank all. At the moment we are renting this violin. Once she moves up to a 1/4 violin, we could get this one.

I think Stringers have a thing where if you need to trade up to a larger size, you can trade in your existing violin for half the price you paid (provided nothing horrific has happened to the violin in the meantime).

That seems a lot to spend on a 1/4. Depends what stage she's at when she needs it I guess. And whether their own brand are good value - I'd really want to look at second hand options too if spending that much, maybe into budget range where you can look at old instruments? I don't really know what there is at 1/4 size. As I say we were happy with 1-200 worth of decent quality factory made at that stage.
Sorry that was a really long post to say I'm clueless wasn't it... Your convenience is worth something too.

Thank you so much. Yes, it probably isn’t necessary to get a nice violin for a 1/4 - it was mainly triggered by my husband talking about whether we should spend hundreds on a new bike for my son.

CruCru we spent a similar amount on DD's 1/4, with a buy back clause from the dealer. Either he'd give us its value less a new set of strings and any repairs needed against an upgrade, or a charge of £8 per month 'rental' was knocked off what we paid if we didn't purchase the next one from him (which we didn't). Personally I feel the upgrade in tone quality was worth it. DD was around G3-4 at the time but always had good technique and we've always taken it seriously. Her ear is very good and she definitely benefitted. But there are definitely different schools of thought on this!!!

Guaranteed trade in is a good idea if you are happy to stick with the same dealer,