So she wants to ply the Clarinet or Flute aged 6 WDYT ?

[Hideehi]

I'd like her to play something or at least have a try is this unrealistic to start at this age ?

[belgo]

Encourage her, six is a good age to begin. Does she play recorder? Maybe she can start on this.

[Hideehi]

That was my thought too, i'll get one tomorrow.

[humpydumpy]

Go for it. Could be worse, she could want to play the cello. That's what I came home with from school, my mum nearly died.

[belgo]

humpydumpy - what's wrong with the cello? Jacqueline Dupre was five when she started learning!

[LIZS]

Definitely do recorder firsts - that way it is a cheap way of accessing the basics before committing to anything more complicated.

[belgo]

and learning the piano/keyboard is a good way of learning to read music.

[GhostOfMumsnet]

I go for the recorder. It's a great starting point for any instrument but particularly the flute, I think.

[humpydumpy]

belgo - it's just not the easiest instrument to carry around. I stopped playing when I was about 14yrs and often regret it.

[belgo]

humpy dumpy - you can start again as an adult - this is what I did, and found it far more enjoyable as an adult.

And regarding size - could be worse - could be a double bass

[humpydumpy]

Belgo - used to stay with my grandma in school holidays where we could use her flute, piano or violin. Taught myself to play flute one summer holiday, so if anything I would start that again. I found the music alittle more interesting to play. But can't see that happening anytime soon.

[wangle99]

I would be very surprised at six years old if she could reach the finger positions on a clarinet. You could get a curved head flute but even then your daughter may have problems with it and some teacher's refuse to teach children on them (bad habits apparently).

Piano is good or violin from a young age. Or definately recorder - the cheapest way to go!

[brimfull]

dd plays the flute,she's working on grade 7 at the moment,and is 15.
She started with recorder,then went on to fife until she was big enough to hold a flute.She got a flute for her 9th birthday.

[brimfull]

dd started recorder at 6 ,forgot to say that.
Definitely a great instrument to start.Get youuself two flutes(decent ones) and teach her yourself.

[brimfull]

two recorders not flutes !

[JanH]

DD2 started on flute at about 7½, after doing recorder at school for 2 years. She was tall for her age but had to have a curved head and even so she struggled to hold it up.

[Lilymaid]

Clarinet definitely difficult at age 6 because her hands are not large enough - and it weighs quite a lot. Flute also difficult at that age (and both instruments may not be advisable before she has her adult front teeth through!) Recorder is the way to go - but it is sad so many schools don't do recorder to a good standard - I was lucky as at my primary school we were able to play in groups with descant/treble/tenor and bass recorders - a good introduction to playing in orchestras and much more enjoyable than playing nursey rhynes in unison.

[wheresthehamster]

Agree, DD3 was advised to wait until she was nearly 8 to play the clarinet because of the fingering.

A girl we know plays the piccolo instead of the flute as she is tiny. I think this is a smaller version of the flute.

[Loshad]

DS3 started on the clarinet at 7 3/4 and even then couldn't rach one of the notes - his permanent front teeth were through by then. Had to ask two teachers, one wouldn't teach him but referred me to the other who was used to teaching younger children.

[Blandmum]

I played the flute, you need fairly long arms!

Recorder first (flutes are expensive unless you can hire one)

Ds is going to play the flute....good for his mild asthma, and I have one and can help him.

DD plays the cello and one string instrument per family is enough! She started at 7 and has a distinction in her grade 1 theory and practical! [smug bitch mummy emoticon needed]

[Blandmum]

Oh yes, clarinet is hell on the lower front teeth!

[Blandmum]

Piccolo is bloody hard, you need a hell of a good ombarture (sp???)

[JanH]

Oh, yes, forgot about the asthma part of it - by the time she was 13-14 DD2's peak-flow figure was astonishing

[whatkatydidntdo]

my DD is nearly 8 and the tallest in her year but is considered too small for the flute just yet. We were advised by the flute tutor to learn the recorder as the fingering was similar she does this with relish and has now said she doesnt want to give up recorders when she is big enough for flute.

My mum hates the recorder and we werent allowed them in the house! so now I encourage DD to practise and show grandma how lovely it is. My mum just sits and nods. LOL revenge is sweet LOL