Huntingdonshire Music School Association - Student

Saturday Mornings

Here we try to illustrate what goes on on a typical Saturday morning at the Huntingdonshire Music School.

The activities are split into the following categories:-

• lessons. These happen throughout the morning with pupils dipping into and out of theory and/or group playing to take their lesson. Not everyone takes lessons.
• theory tuition. Where you learn the theory (that makes sense of the black sqiggles on the page) and, if appropriate, prepare for exams. Not everyone takes exams.
• group playing. Getting together in groups to practice, usually for a concert at the school or externally. Sometimes we do daft things, like turning the music upside down and seeing what it sounds like ...
• socialising / eating / drinking. Catching up with the gossip, in the cafe when we have quieter moments. Some even practice their pieces for the benefit ( ) of everyone else.

Theory Tuition

Theory is important when learning an instrument. It is so much easier to read and understand music if you understand the basic building blocks.

Theory classes are organised by Grade. This aligns with the Associated Board of the Royal School of Music (ABRSM) examination grades. In terms of difficulty we start at Grade 1 and finish at Grade 8 (the hardest). You do not have to take exams and anyone can take theory lessons.

There are two types of theory tuition:-

• written. This is covered by a range of set books, by teacher-derived quizzes, tests, games and learning aids. Often a piano or other instrument may be used to help illustrate theory principles, or practice such as key signatures, scales, chords or timing. Practice theory exam papers are available for those taking theory and practical exams or those who want to see how far they’ve reached.
• aural. This aims to make the student better at listening to and analysing music. Since music exams include aural tests, as well as playing, students taking exams are encouraged to also take aural lessons where they get practice at the different types of listening skills looked for in an exam. For early grades these are covered in the last 15 minutes of a theory lesson. For Grades 4 and beyond these can take anything up to an hour (on top of the normal written theory lesson).

Group Playing (Bands, Ensembles & Orchestras)

One of the strengths of the Huntingdonshire Music school is the number and variety of groups provided for folks to play in. You don’t have to learn an instrument to play. You might take lessons privately elsewhere and want to learn the skills of playing as a member of a larger team (albeit in loose formation at times!). This sort of experience is very hard to get and almost impossible to get as an adult (most things are geared up towards the little dots, youngsters and teenagers (a decidely different species ). Not only that, but it’s convenient, sociable and you can join as many as you want.

We are also looking at forming new ensembles, particularly choral/singing and perhaps blending music technology with classical instruments.

A typical Saturday morning timetable for the various ensembles, bands and orchestras is shown in the following diagram. It is hectic!

There are many reasons for learning a musical instrument (and this includes singing), including:-

• it’s a skill for life (many of us return to it later on in life)
• it’s fun
• it feels good to ‘make music’ with others in a group situation
• it’s different to school or work and a relaxing diversion
• it’s therapy
• it helps develop parts of the brain that benefit other subject areas e.g. maths
• someone else you know plays and you’d like to join in with them(a precious chance to bond with the kids, perhaps)
• you like learning new things
• you already take someone to music lessons and are fed up with merely being seen as a source of ready cash and transport
• you didn’t get the chance at school or earlier in life, for whatever reason

What you may not realise is that the Huntingdonshire Music School is one of the largest music schools in the UK and, apart from sitting humbly on the doorstep for some 38 years, offers many benefits that are very difficult to get elsewhere:-

• a wide variety of instruments ranging from singing to electronic to orchestral instruments
• a complete package - not just the instrument but help with music theory and the ability to get involved with a range of different styles of group playing
• all ages ranges catered for (currently 4 to 83) - adults and children treated alike - adults/children need not have learned or played before(there are few, if any, schools in the country that cater for adult and children learners)
• the ability, if you choose, to take nationally recognised music theory and practical examinations
• the ability, if you learn an instrument elsewhere, to join for the group playing

[[a href=”[[../college/enrol.htm#prospectus”>]]A prospectus is available from this site.

There are many reasons for learning a musical instrument (and this includes singing), including:-

• it’s a skill for life (many of us return to it later on in life)
• it’s fun
• it feels good to ‘make music’ with others in a group situation
• it’s different to school or work and a relaxing diversion
• it’s therapy
• it helps develop parts of the brain that benefit other subject areas e.g. maths
• someone else you know plays and you’d like to join in with them(a precious chance to bond with the kids, perhaps)
• you like learning new things
• you already take someone to music lessons and are fed up with merely being seen as a source of ready cash and transport
• you didn’t get the chance at school or earlier in life, for whatever reason

What you may not realise is that the Huntingdonshire Music School is one of the largest music schools in the UK and, apart from sitting humbly on the doorstep for some 38 years, offers many benefits that are very difficult to get elsewhere:-

• a wide variety of instruments ranging from singing to electronic to orchestral instruments
• a complete package - not just the instrument but help with music theory and the ability to get involved with a range of different styles of group playing
• all ages ranges catered for (currently 4 to 83) - adults and children treated alike - adults/children need not have learned or played before(there are few, if any, schools in the country that cater for adult and children learners)
• the ability, if you choose, to take nationally recognised music theory and practical examinations
• the ability, if you learn an instrument elsewhere, to join for thegroup playing

[[]]A prospectus is available from this site.

Musical Instruments

Having decided that you or your offspring is interested in learning music, what is it that you/they wish to learn?

Whilst we cater for most instruments (and if enough come forwards for the Mongolian Nose Flute we could probably add this as well..), there are factors worth considering before taking the plunge, including

• popularity
• size
• noise and musical style
• cost

Popularity

Instrument popularity fluctuates and fashions are established. For example, nationally within the UK there has been a fall in the number of those playing the Oboe and stringed instruments e.g. violin, viola,cello. Wanting to learn a popular instrument might mean that there are plenty of potential tutors, but few spaces as they are constantly over-subscribed.

At HUMS we do monitor closely and can bring in extra staff if this looks to be happening. A popular instrument will have a larger second-hand market and therefore more choice when buying privately. Getting hold of music books isn’t a problem since these can always be ordered of the phone from a local music shop or online via the Internet.

Size

This isn’t as daft as it sounds - whilst it’s not like buying a baby pet to later find out that it fills the kitchen, you do need to think about this.

• Carrying. A flute is obviously small whilst a double bass is very large. Their carrying cases add to the bulk and the weight. In general the more protection a case offers, the worse it gets.
• Playing. Can the person learning play the full-sized instrument or will they need a smaller version, if available? Classical and acoustic guitars,for example, can be bought as 3/4 size for the smaller child. On the other hand if you’re under 5 feet tall you might struggle with a double bass.
• Storing. Do you have the space to store it at home?If you want to play the piano but don’t have space for a grand piano or upright then you might think about a keyboard or electric piano which can be collapsible. A drum kit will probably need to have a permanent space.
• Transporting. Can you fit it in the car with passengers to attend lessons?

Noise and Musical Style

The first certainly comes before the other! The sorts of sounds we all produce at first are far removed from the final polished version- can you and the neighbours cope? At first you’ll probably need to allow for about 15 minutes practice a day. This gets longer as you/they get better (but so does the sound and musical pieces!).

Do you want to join in a group, such as an ensemble, band or orchestra?You therefore need to consider the sorts of instruments that they play- there’s no point in learning the recorder if you really wanted to play in the Swing Band. Equally, some instruments fit in with more than one type of group. Another solution is that many people play more than one instrument.

Cost

The cost of learning a musical instrument consists of:-

• instrument. Instruments can be bought new - outright or as a rent/buy agreement, second-hand or simply rented. We also have a small stock of loan instruments which surface from time to time. For school age children help is available. Instruments also need to be maintained as parts wear out and need adjusting.
• books. This includes music tutor books, theory aid and exercise books.
• tuition. This is the same irrespective of instrument. The tuition fee increases at Grade 5 and beyond simply because the lessons are twice as long. Beyond Grade 5 you don’t strictly need the theory element, other than as practice.
• exam fees (if taken). If your tutor enters you for an exam there is a registration fee payable. Again,this increases with Grade since the exam is longer and you’re paying for the external examiner’s time.