Birthdays and Getting Old

Girl:  Oh wow.  I just realised, when I see you next time, I'll be old!  It's my birthday next week.
Me: Ooh, what day?
Girl: Wednesday.  I'm turning 15, so I'll be old.
Me: Okay... [We talked a bit about birthday activities]
Girl: We've got so many tests next week, but none on my birthday -
Me: That was nice of them.
Girl: But there are four the next day.  Oh, and mum had me sign this Medicare thing -
Me: Wow, you are getting old!
Girl: - and I just signed it -
Me: Ooh, you should always check what you're about to sign.
Girl: I know!  But mum just went, like, agh! [high pitched 'mother' voice] You should always read it first before you sign! [normally] But I'm, like, you're my mum, I should be able to trust you!
Me: One would hope so, anyway.  So, why is 15 classified as 'old' now?
Girl: Well, because I'm born in November, I'm older than most of the girls in my grade, so they're all teasing me, saying 15 is half-way to 30... which it is... So I'll be old soon... [sad face]

Thirds

A grade 9 girl, learning a new piece.  In 4th position, her fingers were not quite sure of their spacing.

Me: What's that interval? [C-E]
Girl: 3.
Me: Ahem.
Girl: A third.
Me: Better.  What sort of a third?
Girl: Minor.
Me: Um, why?
Girl: Because it sounds really creepy.
Me: Ooh.  [I played it an octave lower]  How about then?
Girl, very confused: Major.  Definitely.  Not creepy at all.

[In case you're not sure - C to E is a major third]

Andaluza and Tosca

I was working on Andaluza, by Albeniz, with a boy in grade 9.  The ending was a bit blah, so I played it for him.

Me: What do you think of when you hear the ending?
Boy: It sounds like the end of Tosca.
Me: Uh... ok... yeah, I guess so...
Boy: That whole tragedy thing, defeat, like when she throws herself off the parapet.
Me: Did you just see that recently?
Boy: Well, yeah.

Some Tragedy

A boy in grade 9 could play this piece well enough (Lascia ch'io pianga, for those of you playing at home).  But this piece needs much more emotion than just the notes - the title means 'Allow me to Weep', after all.

Me: It needs a bit more tragedy. What's tragic in your life?
Boy: well, today I dissected a brain.

I couldn't go anywhere with that. He won.

How Hard is Grade 6?

A girl in grade 9 (14 years old?) asked me if she does violin exams, does that really help her OP?  Yes...from next year.  She did a grade 5 exam last year, and was a little disappointed that wouldn't count.  She was quite happy that she just had to pass the exams, not get an A.  Looks like we're back to doing violin exams. 

Me: We should start grade 6 material now, then.
Girl: [shakes head vigorously]
Me: Yes.  [I then explained timing of exams, won't bore you with that here].
Girl: But.... won't it be hard?
Me: [sigh].  Let's have a look, shall we?  [I pick up the newest grade 6 book].  A major.  Not that hard.  Goes a bit high, but you can cope?
Girl: [nods]
Me: Good.  Next one.  Just arpeggios.
Girl: wah?!
Me: You can cope.  Next.  Oh look.  The first movement of Eine Kleine - which I know you can already play.  [girl nods].  Next.  Fantasia on Greensleeves.
Girl: Oh, I did the solo part for that last year in orchestra.
Me: Yep.  Exactly the same.  Next. 
Girl: Agh!  No!  Too many flats!
Me: hmmm... Next.  Ooh, Csardas.  [I sing the main bits - admittedly, a bit on the fast side]
Girl: Oh, it's just like Hungarian Dance!
Me: Yes. 
Girl: But it's so nnnnnnn-nnnnnnn-nnnnnnn [don't know how else to transcribe that - that's what she sounded like, though].
Me: Well, it's not really that fast... Just move your fingers and bow a bit fast and you'll be fine. 
Girl: Can we do Greensleeves first?

And then she proceeds to play it perfectly, the first time.  I guess grade 6 isn't so unattainable after all.