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Extra-curricular activities

Find advice on the best extra curricular activities in secondary schools and primary schools here.

Original poster

Autumn 22 music thread

405 replies

thirdfiddle · 01/09/2022 18:11

Hi all - I thought it was a while since we've had a new thread so how about one for the new school year? Would be lovely to pick up some new families too, all welcome at any stage of music learning from out of tune singing 2 yr olds to music college aspirants.

OP posts:
JammyDodgersandPeas · 09/10/2022 14:32

Gosh your children all sound so talented! I thought DS was starting off well but I'm so impressed with all the DCs on multiple instruments to such a high standard! How do you juggle all the practice? DS is also doing two sports at school until 4.45 and Cubs and swimming and it's a bit of a squeeze.

We're loving his new piano teacher, he's playing every day without needing the persuasion I had to use before. They've started his second G1 piece when he was previously adamant he wasn't going to do it. Bassoon is sounding a little better after another week but practice is a bit trickier. For a start it takes so long to assemble! Does anyone keep theirs out? I'm reluctant as it sooo expensive. Also, how often do you need to change the cotton wool in the reed case? I don't want it getting mouldy 🤢

JammyDodgersandPeas · 09/10/2022 14:34

Just read further back and noticing that practice schedules are a problem for others too!

PinkGrapefruitSorbet · 09/10/2022 16:19

Hi @JammyDodgersandPeas my Ds plays bassoon and never leaves it out between practices - for a start it needs to be cleaned properly as well as being too vulnerable to have sitting about. We used to help him when he was younger, and it did get faster with practice!

Not sure about cotton wool in the reed case as he has a different kind of reed case now, but he does tend to leave the case open at home to let them dry out properly.

I think my DS was about the same age as yours when he started. They had a school trial in Y5 when everyone had a go for three weeks. He's Y9 now and loves it, but we have had to find our way through some complicated issues as neither DH nor I knew anything about bassoons (we do now!). He's now playing in all kinds of regional and even a national group, and has gained such a lot of confidence. Hope yours continues well!

herbaceous · 09/10/2022 16:24

I am a bassoon player! Sometimes leave it out, but honestly - assembling and dismantling gets very quick with practice. No idea about cotton wool - never used it.

As for practice, DS has so far cruised through by not doing a great deal of practice, and relying on sight-reading and innate musicality. However, he's at a level where he does need to actually make an effort. So practice has got even less!

I don't want him to stop enjoying it though, so I just try and encourage a little and often, or just let him noodle on the piano if that's what he wants to do.

TonicClonicAndTheWaves · 09/10/2022 17:32

Argh, name change fail up there!!!

Thanks for the suggestions, I thought leaving it out was probably a bad idea! We've not had much in the way of instruction re care, it's mainly come through DS who isn't the most communicative. He's mentioned cork grease for when it's a bit tricky to assemble - is there a good brand to buy?

minisnowballs · 09/10/2022 17:43

Bassoon?I’m afraid dd2 leaves hers out- but the teacher says that’s fine as long as vertical, so it sort of lives in a corner between a bureau and the piano.

she used to have a tin with kitchen towel in it with reeds - now has a £10 box from Howarths that fits three and sort of holds them in. The reeds last longer now so it was well worth it.

bassoon has definitely been a learning curve for us too (dd started halfway through year 6 and is also now year 9) She loves it- not as much as flute though.

she has some cork grease- her teacher says use Vaseline in a pinch but not the scented stuff.

herbaceous · 09/10/2022 18:48

I think it's only bad to leave it out if condensation is collecting in the butt joint.

Have realised DS has two more instruments to add to his oevre - he's started the viola, and likes to twiddle about on a ukelele I bought him for his birthday. He's done so much music, he seems to pick up new instruments really quickly.

Awaiting with baited breath which part he gets in Les Mis - I'm hoping for Marius!

minisnowballs · 09/10/2022 20:15

Wow - exciting. DD2's school hasn't had a musical since covid, but they are promising one this year. She'll audition but expects the year 10s and Sixth Formers will get the best parts.

She's just been learning a singing piece - a song by haydn which contains the word 'worm'. Which makes her giggle. Perhaps she is not ready for such dizzy heights (or would be better singing in a language that she doesn't understand).

Bearyinlove · 10/10/2022 20:40

Hello. Can i join the group plz. Booked the 7 year olds first exam today, grade 1 violin in five weeks time. I am terrified, not that she knows. She really wants to do it but i am so worried it could all go wrong! Any advice welcome.

northerngoldilocks · 10/10/2022 20:49

Welcome @Bearyinlove! Does your DD have a teacher? If so assume they have said she's ready? If so will all be fine. Grade 1 is a bit of an intro, a good way to familiarise kids with exams. Obviously need to prepare but it's hopefully a positive experience that spurs them on

Bearyinlove · 10/10/2022 21:30

Yes, she has a teacher through school who did suggest to her that it was either this term or in the spring. My little darling has chosen this term. I think at this age i just worry that nerves or just lack of concentration could muck up an exam and then put her off!

northerngoldilocks · 10/10/2022 22:07

I'd imagine if her teacher thinks she's ready then she will be fine. In terms of helping you can get her to practice scales (assuming ABRSM) so that she's as confident as possible on those and then as long as she practices the pieces and can play along with the accompaniment it's all good. ABRSM have an app called practice partner if you've not already found it (and if you don't play piano) where they have accompaniments that you can slow down as well as play along with a violinist too.

Original poster
thirdfiddle · 11/10/2022 00:10

Aw that's lovely beary. As long as she knows her pieces, even if things go wrong she will pick up again and do fine. Examiners are usually lovely with little ones specially on early exams, they want them to have a good experience and keep going.

What I always say to DC is they have already done the work and we and their teacher know how well they can play the pieces. How it goes in the exam room is just one day and it doesn't matter. And very important: post exam cake to celebrate the achievement of taking the exam, never mind the result :)

OP posts:
northerngoldilocks · 11/10/2022 09:16

@thirdfiddle has definitely added the most important thing for exams at this age- post exam cake is crucial. Pretty sure it was a major factor in DS agreeing to do Grade 2!

Bearyinlove · 11/10/2022 10:17

Ha that is good to know. She Will be delighted by promise of a post exam cake trip. I assume it'll be in school time too. School aren't involved particularly but i assume they will be relaxed about us taking her out for the exam?

northerngoldilocks · 11/10/2022 13:25

Music exams are generally authorised leave - depending on the time I have either taken them out for part or all of the day

horseymum · 11/10/2022 14:27

Post exam cake is the best bit! Reward for effort not results. ( Obviously they get praise for good marks but we know it's the hard way beforehand that counts).Try to have her play her pieces in front of any willing audience- neighbour, relatives etc so she can enjoy performing and get used to keeping on going even if she makes a wee mistake. You can watch a whole exam through on the ABRSM website so she knows what happens. Also, the examiners have to stick to a script so won't comment on how well she does at the time, it will be more like 'thank you' rather than well done. Also you don't have to do every exam so you can mix it up with music festivals or just learning a wider repertoire alongside keeping the scales/ aural going. Have fun and no question is too daft on this thread, many of us have been through the same, don't be intimidated that some of our kids are now further on, they all started at the start!

NotEvenSlightlyReasonable · 11/10/2022 17:15

Just picked up DD's new viola. She's particularly impressed with the colour of the lining of the case, because it's all about the accessories 😂. She did say it sounds much nicer than the old one so hopefully it will inspire her to actually do some practice...

Audition is being filmed tomorrow for a singing opportunity so fingers crossed that goes well. The joy of doing it with her teacher is that there will be no truck with attacks of temperament or making me re-record 73 times while she gets increasingly hysterical about imperfections... she might get 2 goes at it if she's lucky with her teacher recording!

QueenMabby · 11/10/2022 21:38

@NotEvenSlightlyReasonable - I feel you on the recordings. We're exactly the same. 46 billion attempts and none of them good enough! At school they do three and choose the best. A much better system!

Dd has first (informal) concert of the school year this week. Playing the piano. Also the possibility of a music "tour" abroad is being mooted....

Original poster
thirdfiddle · 11/10/2022 22:15

I'm lucky to get 2 audition recordings out of DC these days. School of "that'll do" here. Youth orchestra they don't have to reaudition if they don't want to move forwards/up so we got zero auditions.

OP posts:
minisnowballs · 12/10/2022 10:29

DD2 is very much of the 'that's good enough' school when it comes to recorded auditions. It usually isn't in her case.

As a result, she never gets into anything that does not have a live audition (though has never been turned down for anything where she's actually played live or even online in real time). It's a problem. the brave new world of online recordings does not suit her at all. Perhaps when she becomes more mature.

Comefromaway · 12/10/2022 10:49

Oh god, recordings. Ds's auditions were an absolute nightmare. He very nearly didn't submit his conservatoire one.

He has decided he needs to get better at it and so is doing a series of videoes for TikTok to prepare for next years NYMT musician audition.

Autumn 22 music thread
NotEvenSlightlyReasonable · 12/10/2022 12:02

Recording received and sent off before DD can attempt to prevent me! I don't think it was perfect, but it is what it is, and it was only a "that would be fun" opportunity rather than a really important one.

Sympathy to all who suffer through the audition videos. I think we'll stick to the face to face exams.

herbaceous · 12/10/2022 17:18

Still biting nails to quick over DS and the BBC young chorister thing next week - I'm not sure he's up to scratch. Few flat notes... But he may pull it out of the bag at the last minute! He's up against the sort of kids with professional coaches and their own Twitter pages, websites, albums, etc. Scary!

In Luvvie news, he's got his part in Les Mis - Gavroche! He wanted Marius, but think they've given the big romantic leads to older children. So, it's a great result really.

NotEvenSlightlyReasonable · 12/10/2022 19:33

@herbaceous Gavroche is a definite result, lovely part! DD would love that one. They had auditions for the touring show a while back, and she really wanted to give it a go, but she's a foot too tall for the kids' parts so it's never going to happen! On the chorister thing maybe he needs the adrenalin? Fingers crossed for him.