Grade 1 Challenge...., ..over to you folks Options

[AmandaL]

I'm considering joining the host of other adult learners in taking up the Grade 1 challenge.

Bearing in mind I already play the violin and viola professionally, the cello, oboe and clarinet to around diploma level and the flute to grade 6, plus dabbling in the piano (for necessity rather than choice), what should I learn and take my Grade 1 on.

When throwing your ideas into the arena, please spare a thought for storage and transportation. Whilst the harp would be a nice idea, I do don't live in a big house and there are other occupants to think of. I can't imagine them taking kindly to a 'naked piano' obscurring their view of the TV.

Apart from that, other no-nos are saxaphone (just not my scene), tuba, trombone or trumpet. While I have nothing against brass instruments per se, the space I have to practice in is very small which can lead to serious damage to hearing - not a good thing for a professional violinist.

Over to you folks............ :D

[katyjay]

Tuned percussion?

Or....dare I suggest...singing?

Cheers

Katyjay

[janexxx]

What would be most use to you???

Could you consolidate your piano "dabbling"?, and if you are already grade 1 ish do the Grade 2 (or 3??) challenge instead :D

[AmandaL]

Tuned percussion............hmmm, now that's something different and original...but also expensive. Don't think you can hire tuned percussion for a reasonable price?

Singing...had considered, but would being a bit hayfeverish/blocked sinuses pose a problem.

Piano, although not my first choice of instrument, would possibly be useful. The main issue; lack of room at home - even for a digital piano.

Since I already play the oboe, I had thought of bassoon. Though it would have to be a 'short reach' instrument as my hands are small (katyjay will back me up there! :D )

[katyjay]

Singing...had considered, but would being a bit hayfeverish/blocked sinuses pose a problem.

Not too bad a problem - I've survived another summer (see my "Hayfever" thread on Viva Voice if you really want all the distasteful details :huh: ) and the sneezy season's nearly over B) .

You may well find the bassoon tricky - I had trouble reaching and my hands are bigger than yours.

Cheers

Katyjay

[erard]

Harps don't have to be that large; most beginners do not start out on a 6 foot contraption and if it is the one you think a nice idea why not look further at it. I like www.pilgrimharps.co.uk and they are very small for their range (just over 1m)- worth asking if they have a hire one with screw in legs for an adult- and the harps are easy to pick up and tuck in a corner, under the bed (in its case) or anywhere else.

[Segovia]

I'm considering joining the host of other adult learners in taking up the Grade 1 challenge.

Bearing in mind I already play the violin and viola professionally, the cello, oboe and clarinet to around diploma level and the flute to grade 6, plus dabbling in the piano (for necessity rather than choice), what should I learn and take my Grade 1 on.

When throwing your ideas into the arena, please spare a thought for storage and transportation. Whilst the harp would be a nice idea, I do don't live in a big house and there are other occupants to think of. I can't imagine them taking kindly to a 'naked piano' obscurring their view of the TV.

Apart from that, other no-nos are saxaphone (just not my scene), tuba, trombone or trumpet. While I have nothing against brass instruments per se, the space I have to practice in is very small which can lead to serious damage to hearing - not a good thing for a professional violinist.

Over to you folks............  :D

Guitar - has to be. Don't need a lot of space, isn't too loud so won't damage your hearing as well!

Storage and transportation a piece of cake. They are cheap as well. You can get a basic classical guitar that will do you just fine for £120-150.

Good luck

Segovia

[AmandaL]

You may well find the bassoon tricky - I had trouble reaching and my hands are bigger than yours.

The Schreiber 'short reach' version is apparently suitable for children from the age of about 10 upwards. Left thumb has lots of work to do, but there's usually a shortage of bassoon players so I'm likely to find wind ensembles with vacancies.

Harps don't have to be that large; most beginners do not start out on a 6 foot contraption and if it is the one you think a nice idea why not look further at it. I like www.pilgrimharps.co.uk and they are very small for their range (just over 1m)- worth asking if they have a hire one with screw in legs for an adult- and the harps are easy to pick up and tuck in a corner, under the bed (in its case) or anywhere else

Had a look at the website and they recommend the Progress pedal harp as being a good entry instrument for adult learners. They do hire and hire purchase too.

"Screw in legs for an adult" - this some way of making me taller?! :lol:

[AmandaL]

Harp or singing are looking like the two front runners at the moment......

[sarah-flute]

You can also learn lever harp (Clarsach); they tend to be smaller than pedal harps.

Harp is a great instrument - really hard to make a nasty sound on it! :)

Plus, you can encourage me to work for my grade 1... :o

I'm trying to get myself excited about the recorder... I DO enjoy it, I just can't get enthralled about the idea of working at it. I wish I knew someone who had a French Horn I could borrow, that is more inspiring to me!

[elliewelly]

I wanted to do grade 1 as well, and I did it in singing last year. I enjoyed it so much that I did grade 4 a year later and got an identical mark! (127)

Guitar is a good idea too - I tried that one, but found it really difficult!

[AmandaL]

Harp is a great instrument - really hard to make a nasty sound on it!
Plus, you can encourage me to work for my grade 1...

Encourage each other. I need a kick up the rear to get going at the moment. I just know I'll keep putting it off otherwise.

I'm trying to get myself excited about the recorder... I DO enjoy it, I just can't get enthralled about the idea of working at it. I wish I knew someone who had a French Horn I could borrow, that is more inspiring to me!

For me, I just know I couldn't get enthralled about working at playing the piano, no matter how useful the skill would be. It's not an instrument that really does a huge amount for me.

French horn...now you're talking :D That's definitely inspiring. Need to practice with a mute though - protect the hearing!! Also transportable without a vehicle. I'd imagine nasty sounds would be high on the list to begin with.....:blink:

[katyjay]

Well, after a lesson with AmandaL last night I had my first try-this-at-home session this afternoon :o . I hadn't realised how loud a violin is in the house (or how much the sound carried outside) :blink: . And it turns out the parrot next door doesn't like it :(

I think it can be summed up thus:

Neighbours horrified as Chartered Accountant goes on fiddle.


Cheers

Katyjay

(ps this is in no way Amanda's fault - she was heroically patient with me yesterday, just my basic lack of knowledge and ability)

[sarah-flute]

Harp is a great instrument - really hard to make a nasty sound on it!
Plus, you can encourage me to work for my grade 1...

Encourage each other. I need a kick up the rear to get going at the moment. I just know I'll keep putting it off otherwise.

You're on! lol... I have had the pieces for grade one harp for over a year and have practiced about half a dozen times. It's terrible! I'll get there one day. Get my flute exam out of the way first, I suppose.

I'm trying to get myself excited about the recorder... I DO enjoy it, I just can't get enthralled about the idea of working at it. I wish I knew someone who had a French Horn I could borrow, that is more inspiring to me!

For me, I just know I couldn't get enthralled about working at playing the piano, no matter how useful the skill would be. It's not an instrument that really does a huge amount for me.

Yes, that's the problem isn't it? If you aren't excited about the possibilities of an instrument, it's so much harder to make yourself really do the work.

French horn...now you're talking  :D That's definitely inspiring. Need to practice with a mute though - protect the hearing!! Also transportable without a vehicle. I'd imagine nasty sounds would be high on the list to begin with.....:blink:

I'd imagine it'd probably sound GRIM to start with! lol... that is I suppose one of the benefits of recorders - if you actually care about the sound you are making, it's fairly easy to sound OK. It's not a sound I'm especially fond of though, even when played by the experts.

French horn is more a wish than a likelihood! I don't think I even know anyone who plays it, (except on here) let alone has a spare one... I would definitely work to get a good grade 1 though, and even if I could only ever play simple stuff reasonably well that'd be great.

Well, after a lesson with AmandaL last night I had my first try-this-at-home session this afternoon  :o .  I hadn't realised how loud a violin is in the house (or how much the sound carried outside) :blink: .  And it turns out the parrot next door doesn't like it  :(

Oh dear!

Neighbours horrified as Chartered Accountant goes on fiddle.

:lol:

(ps this is in no way Amanda's fault - she was heroically patient with me yesterday, just my basic lack of knowledge and ability)

I've played the violin for a long time and heard many beginner violinists over the years - it's fairly normal to sound hopelessly vile at the start, so don't worry! It isn't you. Only a very few times have I known people really get on and make a nice sound quickly - and the most extreme example of that now studies viola at RCM! I'm sure you'll get there with time, and you have the ear and the sense of pitch for it which will help a lot, even if it probably also means you'll be more frustrated when it's sounding a bit naff...

[AmandaL]

Keep practicing!! Little and often. You'll notice the quickest improvement that way.

A heavy rubber practice mute will be a big help in 'turning down the volume' while practicing at home. I'll email you some websites that sell them. :) Metal mutes are even better, but they can be a bit on the heavy side :(