Spring 23 music thread

[thirdfiddle]

I saw some sunshine today so it's officially spring! Here's a new thread for all things musical.

With a nod to those who started the series, well before my young folk picked up an instrument or I braved the vipers of MN. This little corner is for support only, and bragging about your young folk's musical achievements is positively encouraged.

How are things looking for new year? Anyone new want to join us for a chat? Any lurkers want to delurk? All welcome from pre beginners to music college and beyond.

Thanks all -she seems much happier now - she's generally not one to catastrophise. Got an eight overall on her mock for music so I think it will all be OK (she's not continuing to A-Level anyway)..

That's the end of her final full term as a school child - though Sixth Form prob won't feel much different, and in fact next term her little sister finishes there as well to go off to music school. So weird.

I've had to tell the school that DD2 is leaving. She says 'why do all the senior leadership keep coming up to talk to me about music?!"

That doesn't sound great 😞
My Dd (violin) did her recordings today with a family friend accompanying. She had all the correct recording equipment so was able to video and record the sound well. We've sent it all in today and hopefully the teacher and decide on the best ones or advise if we need to do it again.

Sorry cut off too soon.

Would something like that be an option for your Dd or is the teacher happy with the recording and your Dd is just being hard on herself? 🤞

thanks @vistro - they're really strict about it being done in school, otherwise we would have done that. I think we just chalk it up to being part of life really. I think the teacher is happy enough with it....

If music were DD1's be-all-and-end-all then I'd make more of a fuss. But she's not continuing it to A-Level and I think she'll be fine. Just was a bit sad for her.

Have you checked with the teacher because as far as I was aware recordings had to be made under the direct supervision of the teacher.

@Comefromaway that is certainly the case at DD1's school... hence having to get an accompanist in to do it.

I don't remember who asked and I've had a name change or two but I came across this that might help the poster who was asking about support for a piano kid in Manchester?

www.rncm.ac.uk/engage/rncm-pathfinder/

Hello, it's lovely to read all the posts about the older accomplished DC with their music.

I'm at the other end with DC just starting out. I hope this is a space I can be happy for DC and their smaller accomplishment. I'm thrilled for DC10 who has gone from "London's burning" to grade 2 flute since Xmas! Her teacher has said if she can play all 3 pieces plus scales by the time they return after Easter she can enter for the exam. DC can do 2 plus the scales already and is taking around 10 days to learn a piece so I think she'll be fine.

dc is a bit disappointed she won't get to do grade 1 but her teacher said she's well past that now.

The teacher also said she doesn't have to do the exam and could go straight into grade 3 work.

Dc is asking me what I think she should do. I don't really know what to advise her re the exam?

We are not looking at bursaries or auditions if that makes a difference. Although should we? Is the music provision so much better in private?

Dc also wants to have singing lessons (encouraged by the choir teacher). I am loving watching her learn and grow and enjoy.

You definitely do not have to take every single exam. If she has already learnt the grade pieces and you can get an exam date soon then I would put her in for the experience unless she starts to get sick of the pieces and wants to move on.

Sounds like she's doing really well!

Absolutely no need to do earlier flute exams if she's speeding past them. I think the woodwind syllabus didn't used to start until grade 3 (because children started woodwind later than other instruments). DD2 started at grade 5 on one of her woodwind instruments and it was fine. Exams can slow children up if they're really going fast and enjoying themselves learning lots of new things. DD's teacher always makes her do the scales for every grade though (despite much moaning) - but sounds like you're doing that.

The music provision is probably better in private in general though it depends on the school, but you can more than replicate that out of school and stay at state.

Both my two have been at a CYM Saturday centre (DD2 since year 5) which has provided more than any normal school would have done, and supplemented their state comp just fine. DD2 is off to specialist music school now, but that really is more music than almost any child would require - it's a very specific thing and no other type of school could or would want to replicate that level of focus no matter whether state or private, I think.

I'm sure she'll love singing lessons - though she's quite young to start them.

@mumoffourminimes that sounds like brilliant progress, they have obviously found their thing! You can absolutely boast here. And at the right time. Definitely don't need to do all the exams, it really can slow them down. Some other performance opportunities might be nice as well if you can find any festivals (although these are all in march round here). Also I've noticed a few churches doing community concerts for amateur players to enjoy performing for each other, might be worth looking out for.
For us we couldn't afford private school but spend a lot on lessons, orchestras etc, we certainly couldn't do both. The school music is probably the least satisfying for the DC but it is with friends and it supports others so we encourage it. If all the good players stopped school orchestra, it would fizzle out.

Exam not until end of June/July so it'll be another term of the grade 2 pieces I guess. I do like the idea of her getting the exam experience as you say.

Thanks @minisnowballs. I am ridiculous proud of her 🤣

that's really useful info re schools. Dh and I had discounted the private option early on as the local independent is mega sporty and dd is not!

She does the county Saturday morning music and loves that. The beginners ensemble teacher had said something about gd3 being the "worthwhile" exam to take.

Thanks @horseymum for indulging my shameless boasting, I'm just really happy for her and also amazed I produced a musical child!

I'm not sure we could afford a private school either tbh but I wondered if we'd discounted it too soon. We have high school open days coming up soon and I'll be asking what they have in terms of orchestra.

How do I find out about festivals? Should I ask the county music teachers?

@minisnowballs when is good age for singing lessons?

oh, I'm no expert I'm afraid - I've just heard lots of people say that singing lessons should start at 12 or 14 or something (not even sure why, but there are probably people on here who know). DD started at 12, but that was only because she was missing singing so much due to Covid restrictions and on your own was all that was allowed. I'm sure it's fine - especially if her choir teacher is suggesting it.

You should be proud - it's great when they get into something!

Ah thank you :)

@mumoffourminimes I think it's fine to start singing lessons at any age. You need a teacher who will teach the child's voice with care and not cause any problem to development as they grow but even my 6 year old students benefit from learning how to sing healthily and having a lot of fun along the way.
If your DD hasn't taken a music exam before then Grade 2 next term while starting other pieces too is a good plan. I hope she isn't just learning exam pieces though!

Thanks @BartokRules that's interesting info.

Not just exam pieces no, there have been various little bits plus some Disney plus some stuff she took in and asked for help with. She's highly motivated by the exam system though, she spent 4 weeks on the grade 1 pieces and had loads of fun with them. Grade 2 maybe slightly longer but it's harder and I think she enjoyed the challenge. She's asked for some Harry Potter music next so that'll be her reward once she's learnt this final piece for her teacher.

@mumoffourminimes we got this one when DS was around grade 2/3 standard

Harry Potter Movies 1-5, for Flute (Harry Potter Instrumental Solos (Movies 1-5): Level 2-3), with audio download amzn.eu/d/98mN0vj

DS loved it though some is quite challenging. It's definitely not grade 2/3- more like 3 plus

The Harry Potter themes/ music have been great for both my DDs instruments through the grades.

She has missed out a few exams along the way - mainly due to Covid and various other poor timings. It's always been such a blessing that they allow them to do this.

Music tuition/ provision isn't always better in private. It depends on the school.

With us from Year 1 - Year 5 private prep and fantastic music provision and visting teachers - she still has lessons with the brass teacher today.

Year 6 - Year 11 (currently Year 11) - another private school but lacking in music provision now, has faded over the years sadly, but the town has a brilliant music service with which she has lessons and also plays in County groups /orchestras. Most of the kids in her groups are in state school with very good music provision usually provided by the music service.

Sixth Form - the school she is planning on going to, again, has brilliant music provision and visiting teachers so she probably won't be doing much with the music service.

Thank you for this @northerngoldilocks I will check it out. Gd3+ will be something to aim for 😬

Thanks @Mumsafan we are in an area with a strong county provision also

@mummyoffourminimes some are easier than others so worth a look through- but don't let her be disheartened by the weird 'level 2-3' on the front as it doesn't seem to align with ABRSM grades and so if some of them are tricky or have notes she hasn't learnt yet just come back to them later on (or use the chart at the back)!

Great tip thank you. I've explained this to her and she seems up for it!