Autumn / Winter 2025 Music

[northerngoldilocks]

Time for a new thread in time for the new school term!

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.

Any others going to NYO inspire? My youngest is really looking forward to it. Also, if anyone fancies a trip to Glasgow, there's a double reed day in February. Easily accessible from train/ bus station if coming from further afield.

@horseymum feeling exactly the same after a cello lesson! As soon as I think I am getting somewhere I then have a complete disaster in my lesson! This strings lark is so hard!

Definitely! Keeps the brain active though. Nothing like a bit of fear about what we're playing to enforce practice.

@horseymum I think I probably need some lessons. Working on my grade 3 euphonium repertoire but I definitely got a 'don't run before you can walk' telling off from the band teacher on Wednesday. I can play them, but as soon as I play to anyone else they fall apart.

Again, tell myself it's good for my brain even if they are only grade 3

re Inspire, DD2 was invited (bizarrely, we didn't even think she was eligible any more and she hadn't applied) - but she's not really a fan of the residential and doesn't get enough time. We're taking her to Krakow instead.

Increasingly she's thinking it's uni rather than conservatoire and choosing her activities accordingly - so more reading and harmony work and fewer orchestral days/weeks. And a lot of homework/super curricular as she's mindful of the personal statement.

Though she does also inform me she might do two ARSMs this term which sounds like a dreadful idea. Very hard to keep track/control from over here.

Thanks @horseymum I'll keep an eye out as I expect the handle repair I've done won't last. It's a free loan instrument from school so I don't want to leave the case in a bad state for the next child.

I think it takes a while to get the mechanics of playing right, especially for adults who may progress intellectually and musically faster than children so they tend to get beyond their practical limits.

Hi
I am new to this area of Mumsnet so apologies if this is not the right place. I am looking for recommendations for a six year old child who has made a birthday request for a " keyboard with a stand and a stool " I have seen small sets which seem more suited to toddler or younger child.
He has no experience with any musical instrument and this may only be passing phase so do not want to spend too much.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Thank you

Hi N96. Is the intention to have piano lessons on it or for it to be a toy that they just pretend play to be a rockstar? If the latter anything will be fine so just whatever is in budget or can be picked up second hand. If the plan is for piano lessons though will need to have 88 keys, which are weighted and touch sensitive and will need a sustain pedal too.

Thank you, that is very helpful, He seems really interested in music so to give him a feel for it and assess the level of his interest. I will have a look at the 88 keys as I have no knowledge on this and have been looking at the smaller size due to his age.
Thank you for pointing me in the right direction.

Also- just on the ‘assess their level of interest’ - it’s a tricky way to introduce music. Whilst it’s good to start them on something they want to do, unless you think he’s the next Mozart he’s probably not going to do much without any lessons.

if you’re just looking for something for them to play around on a bit, try out different sounds etc then a cheap keyboard will be fine, but probably not something that’s likely to lead to any great keyboard skills in time so just depends what the hope is.

My DS started his keyboard journey on a Bontempi organ I had, at about age 7. He'd enjoy the pre-programmed tunes and beats, and start noodling along on the keys.

Once he seemed to be actually getting the hang of playing from sheet music, and started having lessons, we got him an electronic piano with weighted keys, etc. And then once he got to grade 5 we got a proper piano. He's now doing his second diploma! So that pathway worked!

@N96 two of my children started lessons at age 6, on trumpet and piano respectively, and continued playing to a high level. The trumpet player, in particular, insisted that he wanted to play the trumpet from age 3. So age 6 isn't too early for your son to know he wants to play piano. We have a full-size acoustic piano but my son also practices on a 61-key keyboard which might be an inexpensive investment for a beginner if you were thinking about getting an acoustic piano later on if he sticks with it. This is the one we have https://www.andertons.co.uk/yamaha-psre473-keyboard-61-key-piano/ although there are lots of options out there and you can often get a full set up including stand, seat and pedal if you buy secondhand. The smaller keyboard is ideal for us as my son can have it in his bedroom as it's only slightly wider than the end of his bed.

A slightly smaller keyboard will be fine to try out with. There's a ready second hand Market for keyboards so if you bought one and he really took to it and wanted lessons you can upgrade and still get a bit of money back. FB marketplace can be good. Musicians are definitely into second hand instruments as things can work out costly otherwise! Also don't be disheartened if he tries piano for a while then wants to swap or add another instrument, sometimes it takes a couple of goes to find what they really love but no learning will be wasted. It can take a while to get going with piano as two hands are reading different clefs but it's a lovely instrument. He may get into classical piano, or end up writing songs and accompanying himself singing, who knows!

Thank you all for the replies. It has certainly given me a lot to think about. Your advice is very much appreciated.

Today I'm dealing with dreary January by making summer plans and looking at residentials for my bassoonist.

Does anyone have experience of Priory Farm Music Camp? (https://prioryfarmmusiccamp.co.uk/pfmc) I applied because it's in my part of the country and does bursaries, but they're indicating that any funding will be small amounts and I'm asking myself if it's worth the stress of trying to find that much money. I’ve spent a while today researching grants, and they’re all for ‘exceptionally talented musicians’. DD’s going well, I’m proud of her, but I think ‘exceptionally talented’ would be stretching the truth a bit!

TreeAtMyWindow, not familiar with that one - but if you don't ask you don't get with grants. If they decide she's not exceptional enough then you won't be offended. In my role as a musical charity trustee I detest filling in grant applications, but have been successful with some I thought very far fetched, you just never know, if they haven't spent their allocation for the year they want to spend it.

Horsey, DD is going to one of the Inspire string sessions at half term. Not quite sure what to expect and it's a long way away for 3 days. Hopefully it will be fun, she enjoyed the October Inspire day a lot. And absolutely loved hearing NYO proper at one of their shimmer concerts.

@TreeAtMyWindow afraid I don't know that one, but re grants etc there's a whole lot of hyperbole in the world of music - often I think linked with private schooling where the marketing speak is strong.

Since DD2 moved from state comp to private specialist school I've noticed people are 'thrilled' a lot more and there's a lot more describing everyone as 'exceptionally talented'. Even she rolls her eyes at it

Don't be put off! If you don't ask you don't get..

@thirdfiddle hope she enjoys it. This will be my youngest ones third time. She's really looking forward to it. I think some people have mentioned they felt the tuition wasn't up to their expectations but mine have loved them. It's definitely more of a taster with the pieces but they make so much progress in a short time. They also usually do a bit of improvisation for the concert which might be out of their comfort zone! Thankfully it's relatively near for us but we also take the opportunity for a weekend away. The staff are great if kids are traveling independently too. It's quite a short time to get to know people so they need to be brave. My usual advice of a packet of sweets and some card games to help make friends always applies! The pastoral staff are lovely too if you have any issues or anything you need to flag up.

@TreeAtMyWindow I would definitely try. I feel trusts are often more supportive of niche instruments. You just lay out your story and the trustees decide. Priory farm looks idyllic. Don't think it would work in Scotland as it would be more drizzle or midges rather than birdsong and sunshine!

Pleased to see the positive words about Inspire. For those who received the music / parts allocation email today, the links take me to folders that have names of the music but are empty. The orchestra list has the list of kids attending but no parts list for woodwind. Just wondering whether I have done something wrong/ it's just me?

I don't think DD minds random improvisation things - though maybe more fun at NCO where they do it in small groups so more opportunity for individual choreography and melody. Sweets and card games is excellent advice!

@MockCroc I can see things in the folder. Did you use the password?
The improv has sometimes been as a transition between items, sometimes led by a conductor, sometimes the musicians, often the percussionists as they seem more confident att that sort of thing. Not a big part of it as they don't have ages but a bit different for most of them.
Having the names beforehand helps them rem people quickly as when they meet someone, they can always check their list!

Thanks @horseymum - I did use the password and just tried again in a different browser with the same issue. V weird! Oh well, they still have plenty of time so I will try and sort it next week.

Mine is one of the very youngest going so it is good to hear about repeat attenders who love it. She's pretty pragmatic about it and gets on fine with older kids generally so hopefully she will find her feet.

Hey @MockCroc - I have a DC going to one of the Inspire things over half-term. I can access the woodwind folders fine. Perhaps if you're still struggling I could try to email you the relevant bits?

According to DC2 loads of them hate the improv bits so there are always plenty of people to sit with on the struggle bus! She did the same residential last year, plus the summer one, and had an amazing time. Most people are really up for making new friends even if they know a few folk already.

Musicians are definitely into 2nd hand keyboards!

I generally advise weighted keyboards but for a very young child anything will be fine to start as long as you are prepared to upgrade if necessary.