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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 23 Music chat

995 replies

horseymum · 31/08/2023 11:30

It's autumn term already! I'm sure there's lots of music going to happen this term. Welcome to anyone who wants to chat about your child's music activities, whether current or things you hope to do. It's a friendly group with experience at many different levels.( I've learned so much) No question is a daft one and don't be put off by chat about higher levels, all our children couldn't play a note once.
Come and ask about starting music lessons, which instrument to choose, exams, music festivals, specialist schools, orchestras and ensembles. We love talking music.
We also love to share music exam successes or struggles etc ( you can't always shout about these on FB!).
Feel free to do a wee intro if you want, although it's still public so only share what you want to.

OP posts:
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Teapotkitten · 20/09/2023 09:46

That's great @chickentikkasalad , big well done to him!

My son's piano teacher seems a bit odd about the grade exams (and not just with my son), there was talk of the initial grade last summer and then nothing more said (he was given a couple of pieces of over that summer, he did them easily but was never asked to play them when lessons resumed). Now he's going to go straight to grade 1 but not until March - makes no sense to me because I know he's already working at a higher level than that and will learn the pieces in no time - he's only had the books since the weekend and has already got one of the pieces almost there. 6 months to prepare seems like far too long to me!

I guess I'm concerned that going at a snail's pace with the exams means he's not learning as much as he could be in that time. I don't really know how to approach it with his teacher, I think I've inadvertently selected one with an aversion to exams - brilliant for children who would get bored of endless exam work (like me!) I suppose.

He really likes his teacher and he gets to do a lot of interesting non-exam work, I just wish they were working towards a grade that's closer to what he's currently capable of. I thought maybe I'm being silly and his teacher is right to go slowly and make sure everything is perfect, but reading here how much more quickly others progress through the exams and about how practicing the pieces for too long can lead to sloppiness... argh!

chickentikkasalad · 20/09/2023 16:56

@thirdfiddle it wasn't helped by him getting a bit bored playing the same pieces for too long either.
@Teapotkitten that's really frustrating having to wait that long for his grade when he's already ready! Can he skip a grade and go straight to grade 2 in March? Surely the teacher should have recognised what level he's playing, he wouldn't want to slow him down just waiting for the exam would he?
My DS's violin teacher is not keen on him doing any exams at the moment either. But she's taking him through everything needed to learn for the exam and moving on to the next level when ready. She said he didn't need the exam as long as he's progressing fast. Is this the situation with your DS's piano teacher too?
Can you talk to the teacher and say your worried it's going too slow and he might lose interest?
Hope you find a solution for your DS and keeps him challenged and interested!

Teapotkitten · 20/09/2023 19:19

@chickentikkasalad it feels very frustrating! A lot of his progression is down to him trying stuff himself, his teacher seems to constantly be playing catch-up. At first we were happy that he was gaining confidence and learning but now it's like he's doing something different every week and there's no focus. DS has been happily selecting and playing grade 3 equivalent pieces from an app they get access to for about the past 9 months, his teacher just goes along with it. I think he's even learnt some and never played them for his teacher as well.

A year ago, he was given a grade 1 level piece months in advance of his recital, he learnt it pretty quickly, then got bored and started playing it in different keys, speeds, styles and pretty much every way he could come up with, so it's not like she doesn't realise what he can do.

I'm not sure it's that his teacher is not keen on him doing exams as simply not keen on exams full stop. I remember it was mentioned before he started that she doesn't teach to the exams because she'd had problems with kids getting fed up and quitting. Now I'm wondering if she's gone too far in the other direction. I might try suggesting that he's going to get very bored going so slowly, because he will!

chickentikkasalad · 20/09/2023 20:10

@Teapotkitten I have very limited experience in this but it doesn't sound like just an exam issue to me. More like teacher's general lack of focus and keeping track of your DS's learning. Is your teacher experienced enough? I sounds to me your DS is very musical and motivated, just the teacher struggles to keep up! It takes a good teacher to teach young talented kids, or to keep up with them and keep them challenged. But I'm not a teacher or musical at all, just watching from my DS's lessons. There are plenty of others who might have a better idea of what they're talking about Grin

MelodiousThunk · 20/09/2023 20:11

A lovely sax lesson for DS last night. I sat in for once (we usually drop and run) and I noticed teacher had a guitar so I ended up comping while teacher and DS traded licks on Bill Bailey Wont’t You Please Come Home. Although transposing from Eb to standard on the fly was hard work - a lot of new-found respect for horn players who have to do it the other way round all the time!

minisnowballs · 21/09/2023 10:30

@MelodiousThunk how lovely - sounds like the improvising and jazz is in the genes. I'm no help in DDs lessons any more (I did stay in for a few weeks with the bassoon to learn how to put the blessed thing together when she was younger) though I did used to see the teachers at the end of the lesson - it is weird now that I'll probably never meet them.

Down at music Hogwarts DD has a new bassoon that hopefully won't stick together and has the extra key that her teacher says she needs for the high notes, and is reeling from the teacher's explanation that she must have NINE reeds on the go at all times. She usually has one, and we get a new one when it breaks, so this is revelatory.

I think she has three teachers trying to change all her bad habits on three different instruments at once.

Just as well she's very resilient - though she did ring me last night to complain that someone had added an 8am double reed ensemble to her timetable while she was asleep Tuesday night, so she had no idea until she got up for breakfast. They are keeping her VERY busy. We're going down to see her Saturday and I can't wait.

DD1 also back at CYM saturday and has the joy of symphony orchestra for the first time.

The conductor is fearsome so how he's going to cope with my lackadaisical viola, I don't know - he didn't exactly love my rather more focused DD2.

PinkGrapefruitSorbet · 21/09/2023 10:34

@minisnowballs NINE reeds! Crikey! DS has around three on the go at once I would say: one that's passed its best; one that is the favoured choice; and another he's in the process of breaking in. Not sure how anyone would keep track of what state all 9 are in. Glad she's settling in and having a good time, and hope your visit to see her goes well.

minisnowballs · 21/09/2023 10:40

@PinkGrapefruitSorbet so glad that wasn't just news to me! Quite apart from anything else it's quite an upfront expense...

Comefromaway · 21/09/2023 10:53

I see your reeds and I raise you pointe shoes (usually 3 on the go in various states of being broken in)!!!!

Surely 9 is a bit excessive.

minisnowballs · 21/09/2023 11:24

that sounds even worse @Comefromaway

Original poster
horseymum · 21/09/2023 15:44

DD has about four bassoon reeds and elder probably does have about 9/10 oboe ones- some are pretty far gone though and some are saved for specific things. You can write on them in pencil with a number to keep track. It is a big expense up front maybe you could split it over next couple of months?

OP posts:
minisnowballs · 21/09/2023 16:27

DD's reed case only holds 3- I don't think she ever thought needing more would be a possibility.

georgedawes · 21/09/2023 16:34

9 reeds!! Crikey bassoon is the expensive instrument that keeps on giving! Tbf we may have that many here, but only because I bought some and then the changed the brand of reed she played. We usually go for the one good reed, one on its way out approach though!!

MelodiousThunk · 21/09/2023 17:10

I've just googled bassoon reeds, blimey not cheap! We are definitely staying with single reeded instruments in this household. We go for the box of 10 and tell me when you are on your last one approach...

georgedawes · 21/09/2023 17:25

I never fail to be surprised at how much bassoon things cost, which possibly says a lot about me! Even the cleaning cloths are blooming expensive..

minisnowballs · 21/09/2023 18:45

@georgedawes I'm with you. The cleaning cloths horrified me. Also the cost of some of the sheet music - we've had to buy very little, but when we have - ouch!

thirdfiddle · 21/09/2023 18:51

Can't comment on bassoon reeds except that I'm suffering from multiple instruments and string requirements at the moment. Don't think they come in any cheaper. Good thing parents are made of money eh ... oh no.

teapotkitten, that does sound like a distinct lack of plan. Time for a chat with teacher and find out where they're going? I guess there's a balance to find between teacher led music choices and student led ones. Could it be that teacher thinks your DS is happier choosing his own pieces? But if you and DS do want an exam to happen, it's worth having a chat with teacher about which grade would be appropriate, and when would be a good time to start looking at the music to target a particular sitting. And if it's not the grade you're hoping for then try to find out what teacher thinks is missing at the lower level. Once you've agreed a grade and it's time to start, may be better to just send the grade music to lesson not any extras he's playing about with at home.

It takes me back to school reading levels - I never wanted to assume I knew better but I would say to teacher that DS seemed to be finding this level easy, was there any particular aspect he should be working on before he moves on kind of thing. And 4/5 teacher did agree and move him up.

At the end of the day, if you chat with teacher and find that you still don't think they have a plan to support DS to progress, you could look at moving teacher. He sounds very keen and able (love the playing in different keys thing!) so it's worth making sure he has good teaching to match.

Teapotkitten · 21/09/2023 19:21

Thanks thirdfiddle, I do just need to bite the bullet and have a proper talk to his teacher about it all - I've just been a bit nervous about how to approach it, not being all that musical myself, but asking what he's missing is a good idea!
There have been a number of times she's said she'd give him this or that to do in the next lesson, then when it came to it he's been given something different. I'd like to think there's a plan but it all seems a bit haphazard at the moment!

Violasrule · 22/09/2023 11:44

@thirdfiddle - with you on the strings for stringed instruments. Ridiculously expensive.

I know it’s been asked before but does anyone have any summer course recommendations for high level string players. Looking at courses in the uk or abroad and thought I’d plan early and get organised.

Thanks in advance!

northerngoldilocks · 22/09/2023 14:44

Have a look at the National Schools Symphony Orchestra (though the website is currently having maintenance - they have a fb page) and also maybe the English Schools Orchestra (if you're in England). There's also LSSO if you're London based though that one isn't residential and the closing date for auditions is coming up quickly. I haven't sent DD on any yet as was looking for when she's older so don't have any experience of them.

Original poster
horseymum · 22/09/2023 16:06

Think Chetham's did some this year.

OP posts:
northerngoldilocks · 22/09/2023 17:00

Worth checking carefully re Chets - some of them you had to have a parent with you depending on age. I definitely wasn't up for attending a piano course, but this might not apply on all courses.

minisnowballs · 22/09/2023 17:03

Wells has a chamber music course for Grade 7 plus I think - don't think parents have to stay for it? Not the most convenient of locations for most of us though!

QueenMabby · 22/09/2023 17:36

Not just strings but ESO has a full orchestra residential week in August. It's at Bromsgrove school. They normally work on a symphony and then perform at the end of the week at Birmingham Conservatoire. G7+ for that one too.

eso.co.uk/esoyouth-summer2024/

Alsoplayspiccolo · 22/09/2023 19:37

National Youth String Orchestra applications are open currently.
Easter and Summer courses in Stamford (Rutland) and various ages and standard, depending on which ensemble you choose.

Really good tuition and standard.

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