Renovations and Repayments.

AlexLK

cazmanian_minx wrote: »

I have a friend who's had to diversify out of musical instrument making (he used to restore historic instruments as well) into something completely different, he says the classical music industry in London is on its knees at the moment, no-one is buying. I'd go for the cars as a business and have the violins as a money-making hobby

(The bonus for said friend is that what he's gone into has been ENORMOUSLY lucrative and he's gone from being someone who couldn't attend my wedding because he was attempting to avoid two large gentlemen who were wanting money off him and he didn't want them to gatecrash my day to someone who actually does have more money than he knows how to spend!)

That sounds good to me. Not really sure if I'll seriously move away from the furniture at this point, just exploring some potential options as well as ones which will allow the current business to be more profitable.

Glad to hear your friend is doing well.

edinburgher wrote: »

Not sure if you're being facetious or not. The name of this forum should furnish a clue

Sorry, I wasn't being facetious at all, though having read the comment back I can see how it could have been taken as so.

I suppose it just concerns me that many people do jobs they don't enjoy for a long time, in part due to my own past. That was more a case of too much pressure but as a consequence there was no enjoyment. I realise that ultimately it is down to the individual and my past is my problem.

I actually commend anybody who is able to do something they don't enjoy everyday in pursuit of a better future.

AlexLK

turtlemoose wrote: »

Sometimes you just have to. I would find it very surprising if, overall, more people liked their jobs than not. Working is just a means to an end for many - something we must do, not something we want to do.

Those who find a calling, who truly enjoy what they do day in day out....well they are very lucky, and I would imagine are found in fewer numbers than those who just suck up the drudgery.

If this is true, I find it very sad as everybody goes to work for a long time.

AlexLK

Tuesday 28th April, 2015.

Dear Diary,

A little more work done to the gardens today, quite pleased with that after a sleepless night and the day not getting off to the best of starts. Before this spring I'd never found myself interested in maintaining a nice garden but I'm actually quite enjoying it and pleased to say all the plants and flowers grown so far are thriving. Mrs. K. gets home tomorrow and I'm hoping she'll be pleasantly surprised.

This evening, I resisted to give in to temptation and burn some petrol, instead making the house presentable. A tidy space does help to relieve a cluttered mind somewhat and I was pleased my son followed by example, not having a temper tantrum at the inconvenience of having to tidy up after himself. Whilst this is not related to my finances and isn't restoration work, it has helped me to feel somewhat better about my house.

Tomorrow is a busy day but one which should see me earn some money and give a little back to society (not at the same time), if you can call allowing a class of kids loose with violins that. :eek:

Promised myself that I would go to bed at a sensible time this evening in the hope some sleep will be forthcoming and I suppose that time has now arrived.

Yours Faithfully,
Alex.

gallygirl

AlexLK wrote: »

Tomorrow is a busy day but one which should see me earn some money and give a little back to society (not at the same time), if you can call allowing a class of kids loose with violins that. :eek:

:eek: Don't forget the earplugs :eek: :rotfl:.

AlexLK

gallygirl wrote: »

:eek: Don't forget the earplugs :eek: :rotfl:.

:rotfl: I much prefer teaching piano to anyone under about Grade 5 level.

edinburgher

I would like to be able to play the piano, although I suspect that learning a musical instrument becomes harder as you get older? I wonder if we can get 'Daddy and me' music lessons in the style of taking a driving lesson with another learner on the back seat?

AlexLK

edinburgher wrote: »

I would like to be able to play the piano, although I suspect that learning a musical instrument becomes harder as you get older? I wonder if we can get 'Daddy and me' music lessons in the style of taking a driving lesson with another learner on the back seat?

In the early stages (up to Grade 3-4) I'd actually say it's far easier for an adult to learn the piano. Thereafter, the thing that tends to hold adults back is being far too self critical, wanting to "sound like the teacher" far too early (I have one that has been learning violin for under a year and gets annoyed because mine sounds better, it's rather insulting really) and having too many expectations about how quickly they will progress. Children don't tend to come with preconceived ideas.

The nice thing about the piano is that to make a nice sound is not particularly difficult compared to most orchestral instruments. Generally, it's all about being spatially aware and breaking down what you're doing into a logical pattern of practice.

I do teach a couple of parents of pupils but they do not have lessons together as a small child requires a completely different approach to an adult. Initially the parent will leap ahead of the child and stay in a position to help the child with practising the instrument for quite a long time. "Musical families" are no coincidence as the parent is in a position to help the child with their musical development every day whereas a child in a "non-musical family" will see a teacher for at most one hour per week (often less).

If you seriously wish to learn the piano and think you can find 20-30 minutes 5 or so days per week, have a go.

edinburgher

How do you find a good piano teacher? Is there a standard syllabus? I'm assuming that's the 'grades' that I hear mentioned when people ring in with requests for children sitting exams on Classic FM?

AlexLK

edinburgher wrote: »

How do you find a good piano teacher? Is there a standard syllabus? I'm assuming that's the 'grades' that I hear mentioned when people ring in with requests for children sitting exams on Classic FM?

Get yourself down to Derbyshire, I'll teach you how to play the piano, make your own windows and entertain a pre-schooler but not all at the same time.

Seriously, finding a good teacher is not always easy. If you know anyone who is learning the piano, ask who their teacher is and if they feel they enjoy the lessons, what is covered etc. If not, it could be worth contacting local schools to see who they have teaching piano and go from there.

There is not a standard syllabus or curriculum. Different teachers will teach different things at different stages. Also some will specialise in jazz or popular music, so it's worth thinking about the type of music you would like to play.

Grades syllabus: http://gb.abrsm.org/en/our-exams/piano. If you download the PDF, it will give you an idea of the type of skills required at each level. If you wish to hear any of the pieces, type the title into youtube - there are lots of people uploading their work for their exams on there but the quality varies greatly. There are also Jazz Grade exams too.

edinburgher

Hehe - if only it were that simple - I could respond with detailed financial planning and Excel tuition

I will read that tomorrow evening (antenatal class tonight) and will listen to some examples tomorrow afternoon when I'm winding down at work.

I do not think that I have the right temperament for jazz, at least that is what the contents of my iTune5 account is telling me!