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Extra-curricular activities

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Original poster

Spring 21 virtual music thread

390 replies

thirdfiddle · 09/01/2021 15:07

New year, new lockdown, new virtual ensembles and digital exams - welcome to a new, virtual, all digital, socially distanced music thread.

This is a continuation of a very long running and friendly series of threads, dating from long before my time, and anyone with music learning kids from pre beginner to music college is welcome to jump in at any point. Thank you to our esteemed founder and to all the lovely knowledgeable folk who chip in.

PS success stories welcome too, we like a cheery post. Never mind the stealth boasting here, just boast, your kids earned it.

OP posts:
Chocomel · 14/01/2021 22:46

@BringOn2021

Hi *@Chocomel* Would you mind giving your opinion on whether Bach inventio 4 bwv 775 would be classed as a grade 7 piece. Looking to add this as dc 4th song on their abrsm performance exam.

If not a grade 7 piece, which would you recommend? Many thanks!

Hi. I'm going to assume you're meaning piano? I'm not a pianist - but I remember doing that very invention right after my G5 piano. I think that most of the 2 part inventions are G5/6. At a push I'd say the 15th could pass for G7. If in doubt for something to add to a programme, and it's grade specific, take a look at past syllabus lists or other exam boards. You might be pleasantly surprised. One of my G7 piano pieces was basically sight readable - I think it was John Cage or something. More style than substance. I'll try and find out what piece it was by looking at past lists. The main thing is that the piece you're adding 1) fits with the programme and 2) is actually going to be enjoyable to learn.
Chocomel · 15/01/2021 07:15

If you're looking at Inventions though.... there's actually a 1 minute piece called Invention by Lutoslawski that was definitely on a grade 7 list. (It isn't the piece I'm trying to remember for you though!).

horseymum · 16/01/2021 08:35

It must be so hard for those who have just started a specialist school or JD this academic year. We are contemplating JD this year but don't want to fork out if it's all going to be online. Is there any fee reduction for JDs this year? We only want to do it because of the ensemble playing, we can access similar quality individual private tuition when we choose to move teacher. Both teachers have said DD needs to move on from them so thought JD would be a good solution but not if only online by September.

bostik · 16/01/2021 12:19

Not sure they'll need to offer discounts as Spring auditions will be for September entry won't they? (Don't tell me I'm being optimistic as my hands are clamped over my ears/eyes!) :)

PaddingtonPaddington · 16/01/2021 14:53

DDs JD equivalent was reduced by over half for the Autumn term as purely online but she’s so grateful it is happening at all and has really enjoyed it. Spring term is also reduced and purely online but they are hoping to return in person for Summer term.

@BringOn2021 I use this as a guide for pieces www.finchleycatholic.org.uk/attachments/download.asp?file=2408&type=pdf#page52 which is from the music GCSE difficulty booklet. Obviously this is not from Abrsm but might help. Grade 5/6 for the Bach inventions

Chocomel · 16/01/2021 19:57

@BringOn2021 I found it! I played Philip Cannon - Saudade on Catherine Shakespeare Lane. It's a wonderful piece and wasn't too difficult. Might fit into the programme, but at 3mins it might be too long an addition.

drsambeckett · 17/01/2021 09:43

Thanks for the new thread.

Just a quick intro. DD(9)is currently preparing for grade 3 cello and grade 4 piano - very much hoping that the exams go ahead at the end of this term! She did grade 3 singing exam last term and has moved onto grade 4 now. Also now a member of NYCGB. Grade 5 music theory at either end of the this term or next term depending on how things continue.

Thankfully online lessons have been really good and she is now learning how to tune her own cello too!

horseymum · 17/01/2021 13:07

Hi drsambeckett, as far as I know, face to face exams are cancelled for the march sitting, unless it's a private sitting. It's just the online performance ones. Your DD sounds very musical, glad online lessons have worked out well. Mine enjoy theirs too.

drsambeckett · 17/01/2021 13:41

Thanks @horseymum. Her school is set up as a private centre and we haven’t anything about cancelling yet so fingers crossed. They held them last term in person with no issues.

horseymum · 17/01/2021 16:03

Aw, that's lucky, hopefully they'll go ahead for you.

lunar1 · 17/01/2021 18:42

Does anyone else have a child that hates entire sections of their grades. DS1 is preparing for G5 piano this year and absolutely hates all the B pieces. He's currently decided they don't exist!

doesanybodyhaveamap · 17/01/2021 18:48

@lunar1 have you looked at the list of pieces not in the book to see if there's anything there he prefers..?

Comefromaway · 17/01/2021 22:04

It’s starting to get to Ds not being at college.

Having spent years struggling at school with kids who didn’t get him or accept him he finally started a course he loves, made friends and made music.

Now he’s stuck at home and doesn’t see anyone except us (& a once a week walk round the park with his girlfriend.

His tutors are doing all they can but it just isn’t the same on Zoom.

Comefromaway · 17/01/2021 22:30

On the upside he came into my room last night and talked at me for two hours about his plans and ambitions for the future.

When it’s allowed he wants to put on a show next year and MD it. He says people would be reluctant to hire him with no experience or proof he can do the job so he’s going to create an opportunity to demonstrate it. He’s got something in mind, a 4 person semi staged song cycle that could be performed with a small band, (him, his dad, and a couple of players from college) and minimal set. He wants my help with the organisation, legal stuff (& financing!) he knows some amateur singers who he says would be interested.

I was astounded. My un co-operative, autistic, always in trouble teen has matured so much.

BringOn2021 · 18/01/2021 01:59

@Chocomel thanks so much for responding. Will start the search for another piece for DC right away.. Was trying to avoid the long task of going through past exam material to find something suitable they would also like, but this seems necessary.

If only abrsm would put a list of all past material on their websites with a sample play of each songs.This would make life so much easier, but alas lol x

Original poster
thirdfiddle · 18/01/2021 14:46

Comefromaway I'm sorry to hear he's finding it difficult but love his show plans. Just brilliant he's taking charge and forging his path forwards. And identifying where he needs help and asking for it too, that's very mature.

OP posts:
lunar1 · 18/01/2021 19:22

[quote doesanybodyhaveamap]@lunar1 have you looked at the list of pieces not in the book to see if there's anything there he prefers..?[/quote]

Yes, we went through every one. He said he will pick when he's finished the others.

marinegreencucumber · 19/01/2021 09:05

Just having a lurk on here and wondered if anyone had any knowledge of transferring from classical to jazz or any pitfalls that I should avoid in doing this..
My dd 7 is grade 5 on piano and grade 1 on another instrument she's just started . She says she's bored of classical music and loves jazz. I don't really understand jazz but everytime I put jazz music on you can see dd loves it whilst I'm sat there confused by it,

We were hoping to aim for senior school scholarships so I'm a bit worried this will go against her if we transfer over to jazz. Obviously she has the basic knowledge of classical music now but I also want to weigh up preventing her from doing something she clearly will love more. Any info at all would be very helpful thanks.

Comefromaway · 19/01/2021 09:17

My son goes to a piano teacher who specialises in jazz but he also teaches classical for technique.

Jazz is great for ear training.

Newgirls · 19/01/2021 09:26

Hi there!

Dd plays piano and bass and was thinking of auditioning for NYMT but seems to think it won’t happen or will be filled with kids from last year. I think worth doing a recording for the experience but not pushing it.

Her teachers are doing well with online lessons and it’s nice not having to drive around! She’s missing orchestras and real life productions. Prepping for piano 6 performance though teacher seems to be dreading the whole thing and not done one yet so it will be a learning experience all round.

Comefromaway · 19/01/2021 09:28

Ds is also thinking of auditioning for NYMT.

Go for it! They are auditioning from scratch this year. They need a lot of musicians for Beauty from what I gather.

woolleybear · 19/01/2021 10:15

Hi

Been good to read through here. I used to be on these threads but life has got in the way recently!

I was wondering if anyone has any clarinet advice. Dd had Grade 6 cancelled this term and has decided to move on and so has just started to learn some pieces to work on a few things before starting Grade 7. Her clarinet is currently not sounding great. Am I expecting too much of a beginner instrument? Debating whether it is worth the £140 for a full service or if we should just try and keep it going and start looking for a higher level instrument?

Chocomel · 19/01/2021 11:19

@Newgirls

Hi there!

Dd plays piano and bass and was thinking of auditioning for NYMT but seems to think it won’t happen or will be filled with kids from last year. I think worth doing a recording for the experience but not pushing it.

Her teachers are doing well with online lessons and it’s nice not having to drive around! She’s missing orchestras and real life productions. Prepping for piano 6 performance though teacher seems to be dreading the whole thing and not done one yet so it will be a learning experience all round.

Do it! I loved NYMT. It was a bit strange at first being a musician - the cast have all worked together already in rehearsals so it was lonely at first, but I soon found my way. I toured to Hong Kong, Taiwan, New York, many many Edinburgh festivals and did a Christmas run at The Lyric. The experiences were unlike any I've had before or since. Just brilliant.
AlwaysaLittleBitTired · 19/01/2021 15:52

Good afternoon all! I am new, and pleased to see this thread. My DD (13) plays clarinet and cello - and is teaching herself piano and ukulele just for fun. It is great to hear all of the stories, experience, and opportunities that your DCs have.

Throughout the past few months DD has her cello and clarinet lessons online, and joins a clarinet choir and a band (clarinet only) online each weekend (one unmuted, and the rest of them muted). She won't join the strings group for cello and does this under some sufferance at the moment.

Due to the lockdown last year we skipped G5 (ABRSM) for each instrument and she is working toward G6 for both. G5 theory will be an online exam, possibly in May, so that is the current focus. I will be interested to hear of anybody sitting the March exam, as we're aiming for May! Currently all tuition for G5 theory is provided by her cello teacher. DD sat the online practice test last week, and it wasn't a great result, so there is a lot of work for her still to do.

Good to meet you all.

Newgirls · 19/01/2021 19:03

Thanks choco and come from away

It would be for bass I think as she’s higher in that and more useful.

Will see if she can get something together that isn’t classical 👍

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