Autumn / Winter 24 - music thread

[northerngoldilocks]

Feels like time for a new thread for the new school year!

Come and talk about music lessons, choosing instruments, exams, auditions, specialist schools, orchestras or whatever other music activities are going on. Everyone is welcome, from those with total beginners to those whose children are studying music at advanced levels. Ask for advice or share successes or struggles.

What does your DS mean by "getting the style" @Comefromaway ? I thought you get the style if you're musical, you just feel it - surely the majority of professional musicians are musical enough for that? 🤔

I also think not everyone reaches their full musical potential and that's fine too if they are happy with what they are doing.

We're all a bundle of 'potential' I guess @horseymum . Focus on one thing and you'll not develop the others!

I think it's like the instrumental version of when some classical singers try to sing pop. Ds has worked with some fantastic percussionists who when asked to play musical theatre just don't get the right groove and similarly with pianists. Some are too classical, but you might also get a player who is only used to pop/rock styles who just can't "get" a more jazz style. It's hard to define, it's more of a feel.

Thank you @Comefromaway
I'm not a musician but I guess this might have something to do with how "set in stone" your technique is.

DD's first violin teacher is a baroque specialist, he had a Russian teacher when he was a child and said that Russian approach of doing months and months of bowing on open strings initially just to completely "fix" the bow hold/parallel bow might make it difficult to switch to baroque bow later on.

I can clearly see this in ballet as DD is doing classical but likes contemporary - classical ballerina's muscles and movements are "set" in a way that they look slightly "alien" doing contemporary. We watched Crystal Pite's Statement performed by Royal Ballet and NDT - it looked like two different pieces, just because the dancers were trained in classical vs contemporary movement.

I guess it may be particularly difficult for percussionists - we went to Colin Curry concert recently, they played some Reich and not even the most difficult pieces, but blimey they need such a precision! As I said before, I'm always mesmerised by percussionists, they're just out of this world 😁

LSSO (London Schools Symphony) results out today. DD2 has a place on contra, though she can't do one of the courses...Now to see whether we can fit the other two in with our holidays!

Dd got bass clarinet. Long journey for your dd if term is back on the concert day. At least Slyo is the other side of Christmas this year

We said no to the winter course @se22mother - it's GCSE year and I don't want her education disrupted at that point in the term (and she already has SLYO). Well done to your DD

Well done to your dd too, and thanks for flagging that results were out

@se22mother - if it's not a stupid question (sorry, I'm new to much of this) what happens when a child on an instrument like contra or bass clarinet isn't in a piece (i mean, not every piece has a contra part, or I assume bass clarinet). Do they just sit there?

The LSSO has only decided the repertoire for its first concert, so how do I know DD2 will even have anything to play? It's a lot of money if she doesn't!

Last year she doubled on second clarinet when she wasn't playing bass. Slyo take the same approach.

However @minisnowballs might be worth confirming given the cost ...

Thanks @se22mother - we are used to that at slyo and in fact lywb where she was often piccolo. Have emailed- let’s see what they say

Result is in finally! He had 126 a merit. He's a bit disappointed but okay. Looking for condolences . He's only just turned 8 so I try to tell him a merit is brilliant already. He says everyone at NYSO had grade 5 distinction at 8 (it's the peer pressure!). But 8 and a bit is surely different from 8 and half right? At this age the learning is so fast I'm sure a few months makes a big difference in terms of brain and physical development.
Teacher said no more exam needed till grade 8. Phew!!

A grade 5 at aged 8 is amazing! Whether a distinction, merit or pass. Your ds should be very proud @chickentikkasalad.

Crikey - it seems competition among strings is bonkers! Grade 5 merit at age 8 is amazing.

As for 'reaching potential' discussion, I have the same thoughts. If DS actually practised, rather than just basically playing through, he would be a lot 'further forward'. But for what? Diploma at age 15 is still pretty amazing, and he's having fun, playing lots of different stuff with lots of different people, singing in lots of different groups and also having time for school work and vegging on his phone in front of the telly.

When at piano competitions I've been struck by how basically miserable the kids who win are. They're astonishingly accomplished musicians, wipe the floor with everyone else, take their trophy unsmilingly and return to the back of the room to add it to their collection.

Well done to mini @chickentikkasalad he should be proud. Mine hadn't even started their main instruments at 8 so he shouldn't feel behind. Now he can focus on fun, technique, repertoire, musicality without worrying about exams for a while, a nice place to be in. The problem with surrounding yourself with amazing players is it's so easy to compare and feel negative. It's like the fact I'm in a sports club with some incredible athletes. I'm definitely the slowest but I have to remember I'm actually fitter than quite a few normal people, I just hang out with crazy fit people!! It's good to surround you with people who bring you on though.

@chickentikkasalad huge congrats to him- that is insanely good. I hate this 'distinction or nothing' mentality. He's done very, very well.

A diploma aged 15 is amazing. A merit at grade 5 aged 8 is amazing. I think comparing yourself to others can be quite soul destroying, especially at their age. Ultimately, if they love it on the whole (mine detest scales!), and are benefitting from what it brings them, then that's what matters.

Quite a few top musicians comment on socials sometimes along the lines of 'OMG, I've just found my old ABRSM mark sheet - 😬😬😬😬'. It always makes me smile!

Congratulations @chickentikkasalad - he's done really well. I'm another who hates the 'distinction' being part of an expectation with a grade for things. they can have an off day and its not a reflection of their overall playing - just that particular 20 mins. DD 'only' got a pass in her gr 5 and 7 piano and we know that nerves affect her and are working on that. DS got a merit on his Gr6 piano. Is DS a better pianist than DD - 100% not and he'd be the first to agree.

Working to prepare an exam, having the discipline to stay focused and commit to it is all really valuable, not just the end grading. Similarly I've met kids who have great exam results but are terrible orchestral players etc so its only one part of the skill base. I also agree with @horseymum the joy of finishing the exam is a chance to play lots of different things and enjoy it.

This week DD has been full of angst - deciding that her violin playing is rubbish and getting worse and worse - her sound is dreadful etc. I'm putting that 100% down to over tiredness as the first term of secondary is a slog. She really isn't getting worse!

Well done on all those passing exams.
To add a different perspective. Mine got distinction at grade 8 aged 15. He hasn't done an exam since and is now 3rd year conservatoire. He hasn't done a diploma and neither he nor his tutor have mentioned it. He wants to be a professional musician though, so not all the qualifications are essential.

Thank you everyone for your kind words. I agree it's not just the end result, it's the process of working towards a goal that they benefit. My DS has worked very diligently for his exam. Actually he learned HOW to practice just a week before the exam. I'm sure if he applies that in his daily practice it'll benefit him hugely.
His teacher sent a very nice message saying how proud she is of him. That helps a lot.
They're now starting on some really lovely pieces. They'll build up his repertoire, practise the things that they learned from doing the exam. It feels really fresh and I'm glad he gets to really enjoy the learning again without the pressure of an exam.

I like it when somebody said learning (in face life) is a marathon not a sprint.

I read that thread where someone said music lessons are a waste of time and money if you didn't get to grade 8 by age of 8. It made me really sad. I hated it and can't get it out of my head. My DS dreams to be a soloist. He's only 8 and he can dream wild and BIG!! I'm still letting him dream at the moment...

Delurking to second this - mine did her Grade 8s and basically said she was never doing another exam. Now in her final year at conservatoire - and just been offered a full scholarship and bursary for masters - and no one cares about any exams (including diplomas).

That’s fantasy @Londonmummy66 mine would love to do a masters but we can’t fund it. She’s done so well.

We can't fund it either - hence relief at the offer! Still got a couple more auditions elsewhere but at least she knows there's a couple more years in the bag somewhere!!