Two Random Questions Options

[Zecic]

I was wondering if Bach's Minuets 1-3 would correspond to any grade (or are they pre-grade 1)? I'm learning just for fun and am not planning on taking any exams (at least for now), but was curious since they seem to provide a good benchmark for progress. I feel like a "real" musician now that I can say I play Bach! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)

Also, would you feel comfortable playing at a concert if you were the only adult? Do you think parents/families of the children would find it odd?

Thanks!

[sbhoa]

I don't know about the Bach but though it may feel a little strange being the only adult in the concert (is this organised by your teacher?) you could think of yourself as a trailblazer. Maybe there will be more adults there who would like to learn to play an instrument but who have the mistaken idea that it's something you can only do as a child.

And if you are looking for performing opportunities where the rest are only or mostly adult learners do check out the events forum. There are regular such opportunities around the country organised by forum members.

[Roseau]

Also, would you feel comfortable playing at a concert if you were the only adult? Do you think parents/families of the children would find it odd?

I have regularly played as the only adult in concerts at the local music school. For a long time I felt very uncomfortable about this - in fact I used to insist that my teacher announce that I had only been learning for 4 months (6 months etc.) as I thought that people would expect me to play well because I was an adult.

I was rather touched once, when I had been very reluctant to perform, when my teacher made a speech at the end of the concert thanking all his pupils and saying he particularly wanted to thank his adult learner for agreeing to play because it was very hard to for adults to perform as the only one alongside children. He later pointed out to me that if I never performed then there never would be any other adults performing as people wouldn't know that adults could have lessons at the music school. (I live in France where it is rare for adults to learn an instrument).

All the parents of the children have always been very supportive of my efforts and the only person to have ever made a negative remark was a patient with dementia in an old people's home who complained loudly all the way through my piece that she had been promised children (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ph34r.gif)

I suffered from appalling performance nerves as well, which didn't help, but now I really am very grateful to my teacher for insisting that I play - for the first time ever I am actually looking forward to the next concert on the 15th December.

[Zecic]

I don't know about the Bach but though it may feel a little strange being the only adult in the concert (is this organised by your teacher?) you could think of yourself as a trailblazer. Maybe there will be more adults there who would like to learn to play an instrument but who have the mistaken idea that it's something you can only do as a child.

And if you are looking for performing opportunities where the rest are only or mostly adult learners do check out the events forum. There are regular such opportunities around the country organised by forum members.

It is organized by my teacher. Unfortunately, I don't think I'll be able to attend anything I've seen so far, but it would be a great opportunity someday.

Kerioboe - thank you very much for telling me about your experience (seems like sbhoa was spot on about trailblazing!). Maybe I'll try talking to my teacher about making a similar announcement about how long I've been playing. I know I'll have enough nerves in addition to being the only adult, but I really do want the experience.

[Sunrise]

I have been the only adult in several concerts in Gib, notably the Music Festival gala night....does feel odd, but you get used to it.

This Friday I'll be the only adult in a Christmas concert...singing with daughter to open the concert, playing with my young ocarina group (which is more embarrassing, but to make a point that we need more players), and a violin solo at the end - and that is pressured as I'm hoping for more students from it (and to 350 people!!)

If I didn't take part in these then yes, performance opportunities are limited for learning adults. Smaller concerts are more relaxed, and I'd recommend it to any adult learner. I think it's really important to show that adults can learn too.

[lottie]

I was also the only adult at my teacher's concert a few years ago. She also made a very sweet announcement about my willingness and bravery at standing up in front of a room full of people! I didn't play very well (so I thought) but I was given a huge round of applause!! At the interval a few of the parents made some lovely comments to me too so the whole experience was a real boost.

[Zecic]

Wow - thanks for your stories - they're very encouraging.

Good luck at the Christmas concert Dawnmc71! I'm sure you'll do great!

Any takers for my first question? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)

[Roseau]

The other thing I would add is that seening your teacher's other pupils play will probably help to put your own playing into perspective.

My only source of reference (and I imagine yours is too) is my CD collection and my teacher; in comparison to these my playing is pretty awful. I found that seeing/hearing his other pupils enabled me to realise that I was not as hopeless as I thought I was. (In fact, once I was rather embarrassed as having insisted that my teacher announce I had only been playing for a year, I then had a parent come up with her son and after congratulating me on my plyaing started berating him for not practising enough saying that he had been playing for three years and I was the proof that he didn't practise enough as I was better than he was after only one year (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ohmy.gif) ).

I deliberately put "seeing" and "hearing" other pupils because I also discovered that most (if not all) of my posture problems are common to a large number of the other pupils. Even more helpful than the concerts themselves have been general rehearsals before the concerts when I discovered that the things my teacher repeats endlessly to me, he also repeats to his other pupils. Again, this stopped me thinking that I must be really useless because he has told me some things hundreds of times and I still can't do them - it made me realise that these things are hard!

[louise1712]

I was the only adult performer (IMG:style_emoticons/default/clarinet.gif) at a concert organised by the music school I take my lessons with. It was strange and I was more scared than when I played at the Forum concerts! But, I will do it again if I can (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

As for the Bach, sorry, no idea

[rachelviolin]

I was wondering if Bach's Minuets 1-3 would correspond to any grade (or are they pre-grade 1)? I'm learning just for fun and am not planning on taking any exams (at least for now), but was curious since they seem to provide a good benchmark for progress. I feel like a "real" musician now that I can say I play Bach! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)

Are these the 3 Minuets in Suzuki Book 1? If so, the third (beginning D GABC D G G) was on the Grade 2 list in 2005-2007, although here the composer is given as Pezold, (link with Bach because it comes from the Anna Magdalena Buchlein) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[Zecic]

Thank you for the replies!

I don't know if the minuets are from the Suzuki book. My teacher has been pulling material from different sources. I think it's because they mainly teach children, but want to have something appropriate for an adult. They do like some Suzuki methods and use them with the children, so it could very well be from there.

Well - based on your comments, it seems like I have no choice but to go for it and do the concert! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) Kerioboe - you're right that it would be helpful to see other students.

[Roseau]

Well - based on your comments, it seems like I have no choice but to go for it and do the concert! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Go for it, and let us know how it wentafterwards (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[ViolinQueen]

Well - based on your comments, it seems like I have no choice but to go for it and do the concert! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Go for it, and let us know how it wentafterwards (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif) Enjoy the concert, Zecic!

[jod]

Putting my 'mum' hat on, I'd love to have you play at a concert with a load of children including no2son.

I think this would inspire other parents to 'give it a go' and let them believe music is not just for their children.

Fantastic! (of course I might have my mum hat on, but I'd be wearing my teacher specs!)