Autumn term 2019 music thread

[thirdfiddle]

September is looming, the old thread is getting full - I think it's time for a new music thread. This is a support thread for parents of children who are into music or indeed just thinking about giving it a try.

Perplexed about starting the piano? Experimenting with ensembles? Concerned about college applications? All welcome here. Huge thanks to those lending their expertise and sage advice and particularly wafflenose for starting the threads.

So, new school year, what's new with your mini musicians?

Makes your stomach lurch just thinking about it - hope he gets it back soon.

So glad it's found! I play double bass and pretty sure it would be impossible to leave behind- also no-one would steal it! DD takes her oboe to school which was were a bit worried about but so far it's been fine. No public transport to leave it on at least. We just use a luggage tag with my mobile on.

Hello, so nice to hear from waffle, it's been ages.
I recognise most names but have nc again. Have dc in music school, but they are on here and tell me off for posting. So can't say what said child is doing, it's so unfair. If you are reading this I hope you are proud of putting restrictions on your mum
I can say my eldest dc is marrying in December and I'm now a granny too.
Lovely to hear what everyone is up to, and surprised at how old some of these kids are now.

Does anyone know where I can get good quality rhythm section recordings of Jazz standards please?
Preferably where you can choose the key? I think the JA series has been exhausted.

Yay! Fantastic news about the lost bag! Great news for a Miserable Monday.

Thanks all for accompanying me on the lost bag journey. Dd most relieved and happy to be reunited with her instruments.
How awful for that violinist. I hope it gets handed in soon.

Drabarni, sorry i cant help you with your query! Hope someone comes soon who can.

Anyone else doing grade 5 theory next week? Just crawling slightly painfully through practice papers with DS1 over half term! He should be ok as long as he reads the questions properly and doesn’t rush.... I’m going to tell him to stay in for at least an hour!!

@Lotsofmilkonesugar good luck to your DS for grade 5. DD did hers this time last year. We also had the ‘you cannot leave until an hour has passed’ rule. I think lots of DC must have been told the same as nearly all started coming out at just over an hour.

Yes good luck lotsofmilk's DS!
Not doing any theory or practical exams for a while yet but DD's under violin teacher orders to get moving with theory so we don't suddenly have to cram it in a few years. I'm quite enjoying the refresher - I did cram it back in the day so probably not as much stuck as should have done!

Good luck mini Lots. The good thing about theory grades is you can always resit them and no-one need know

Drabarni- have you looked at the app iRealPro - I think it’s currently £13.99- but has access to all jazz standards and others too, plays the backing section and you can play over it, or join in - depending on your instrument I guess 👍

Oh and you change the key and tempo

Thanks for all the good wishes... he stayed in for an hour and five minutes! Now for the long wait 🤞

Sounds good, Lots. Hope he's done really well

Ds did his last night. Took about an hour (including a rest break). He couldn't remember what an appogiatura was so put acciacatura instead and we know he will have lost marks on his italian and German terms (he's a non classical musician) but hopefully as long as he read the questions he will be ok. He said transposition, intervals, scales and enharmonic equivalents were fine and there wasn't a composing a melody question. Had to rewrite from compound to simple time.

Drabarni - my dd told me off for posting on balletco about her!

Sounds like it went well comefrom !

Anyone else delighted by the changes to abrsm booking procedure? Looks like you will be able to choose the actual day of exam. Long overdue! Currently DD is well into preparation for grade 5 oboe, pieces and sight-reading going well. The aural seems so much harder though, it's a lot to clap and sing for her.

DS's piano teacher has just told us about the ABRSM changes and it sounds so much better. Results in a week as well!

Ooh... results in a week... is that for theory, practical or both? Hate the long wait!

Not sure about theory, teacher was just talking about the practical exams. Apparently the examiners will now type their comments rather than write them, which will speed up the moderation as it can all be sent electronically, and means they can be read more easily!

I don't think it could be for theory, all the papers will need to be marked. Good news for the practicals though, andvwe had some comments that couldn't be read so would also stop that!

DS a little disappointed as has heard back from Royal Welsh, no offer but on the reserve list.
Anyone know more about this and what his chances might still be with them?
I guess it's better than a flat no

Off to Newcastle for the weekend now with his youth brass band to play at The Sage, Gateshead

Hi Juggling, not too sure about reserve offers but I guess nothing much will move until all the auditions and offers are done and people confirm choices or decline them.

DD has had an offer from the Welsh, waiting to hear from Scottish and did Birmingham today.

Good luck to your DS.

No idea about the chances of it converting to a firm offer Juggling but a reserve is better than a rejection. Did he get any feedback about his audition that he can use in the others?