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.

@Siriusmuggle sorry catching up - is your DS at conservatoire? My DH teaches at 2 of the London ones and they usually bend over backwards to help students pass, especially if the module isn’t their main performance one. What did he fail?

@chickentikkasalad i think music will be a great outlet for your son if he is otherwise bored in school - endless challenge!

My own little one is coming to the end of reception and still loves guildhall kindergarten. I’d been teaching him piano but we’ve actually let it slide for the last couple of weeks as he’s been really tired from school and the heat has played havoc with his sleep. I’m thinking about starting him on formal lessons next academic year (since he refuses to learn from DH!) which I think would probably better to give him some separation. He’s still desperate to play the violin but we are trusting in the guildhall system which will hopefully give him one at 6.

@SweetforOrchestra he is. It’s music in context which is a pretty dry and academic one. He’s had a few other issues but we’re seeking assistance with those (health based, just to keep it vague).

I suspect that it is very similar to the Contextual studies module ds had to take. I'm pretty certain they will allow a retake. At Leeds they publish retake details and procedures on the website. Ds did actually pass all parts but there was a point where it was touch and go. His tutor was very helpful. I think they are used to quite a few conservatoire students not being very academic.

@Siriusmuggle good luck for the recital - not that I know what it is and what it's like from my limited exposure to music only through my ds - but he's excited so all the best
@horseymum , wow self taught reading at 3 is early! DS only started reading at reception but learned very quickly. Funny he loves chess (DH is a good chess player). He's not quite got the hang of cubik puzzle yet but loves the cubik snake puzzle 👍. Yes he's getting more and more involved at the local music hub and he's loving it!
@SweetforOrchestra yes music has given DS so much fun and joy! Hope your little one will love it too when it's the right time.

DD2 suddenly appeared this am and informed me she's singing a solo in a lunchtime concert and has found a karaoke track... Has she ever sung it before? NO.... but It'll be FINE MUM (imagine eyerolling here)

Fortunately these concerts are very informal - in school only so only friends will see.

DD1 has music GCSE listening paper today. No-one has ever been less prepared for this than she is - and i am no help. She asked me what a Neapolitan chord was last night and all I could think was that it might be chocolate, strawberry and vanilla..

I was with you on Neapolitan chords - not a clue. Though have since discovered that the third bar of moonlight sonata has one!

I gather it is simply a major chord but with the root note being the flattened 2nd of the scale.

Nope no idea on the Neapolitans either. Have done Grade 5 theory, GCSE and A-level. Impressed that the content gets that technical. (Off to remind myself of moonlight which DD was playing recently...)

Pretty sure I remember doing Neapolitan 6ths for grade VI theory back in the day - surprised they need to know about them for GCSE!

DD said music (OCR) was ‘ok’ and maths (edexcel higher) v difficult.

Sorry - that was meant to be on the GCSE thread! 😊

every day's a school day with the music...

apparently it was 'on bitesize' so she decided she ought to know - there's one in Badinerie allegedly. It doesn't seem to have come up though. West Side Story fight scene, theme from Mission Impossible and 'lots of chords' is about all I've got out of her.

That's her academic music career over! Feels weird.

Music theory.... should I expect the result exactly 4 weeks after the exam date? That is today, and nothing through yet 🙈

What time did they sit it? - have heard people say its 4 weeks to the date and the time? Also - did you enter them or a music teacher / music school? Results go to the person who entered the student and then are released to the student account automatically 7 days later

It was in the evening... I'll keep refreshing 🙈 Thank you

Watching with interest as I'll be in the same position on Sunday!

@northerngoldilocks do you know what happens if they fail and have already been entered for the next exam ? Ds has got the result and it is slightly under the pass mark 🤦‍♀️
He had been flying through the practices, but found the actual exam to be very different and confusing. Now not sure what happens next as grade 6 clarinet is due in in 3.5 weeks time! 😫

Anyone have experience of this? 🙈

'Luckily' this is the last abrsm session with the auto refund under the covid rules. So think if you don't show for the exam you get a refund.

Just to add- he will need to re sit theory before he can sit the practical with ABRSM

Thanks. So two options - withdraw from the practical exam or try to resit the theory exam and the results from the practical exam are withheld until he passes??
That is something I have read on the Abrsm forum, but is it true? I will be phoning them today to find out.
Absolutely gutted as he's more than ready for the practical exam. 😫

I don't know about the withhold results- i had heard about that too but can't find it anywhere on the official site.

He could sit an MTB exam with the same pieces. Need to check theory but don't 'think' they require it.

Did you check the mark sheet against the online mock exam to see if there was a section with technical issues or if marks lost across the board?

Hello all, newbie to this thread looking for advice. DS has just finished his GCSEs and will be starting a levels in September. Rather than do an EPQ he and we think he should do grade 8 music theory. Does anyone have any recommendations for books to prepare that he can start looking at in idle moments (heh) over the hols?

We've used Lina Ng theory made easy books but only up to grade 5. They do go up to 8 though so might be a good start.

Whilst on theory- delighted to find that DD passed her grade 5 theory today - means that she can take grade 7 piano in just over 3 weeks time! 😅

Well done to DD @northerngoldilocks ... great when you pass that hurdle.

Well done to those on exam results and commiserations to any who weren't quite there this time.
We're finished this year now, haven't counted up the number of concerts, competitions, exams etc but it's definitely an improvement on last year which was still partially affected by COVID. Just awaiting one exam result, then we can relax for a couple of weeks before summer orchestra things and hopefully hearing about audition results too.