Injury and learning musical instrument

[user789653241]

Hi.
My ds does martial arts(3 days a week) and also started to learn to play piano this year.
He injured his shoulder last week. He does this martial arts club at higher level than his age group, so he is constantly fighting against older children.
He is 8, and others can be 12/13. Although they are older, they are still children, and thus, they cannot control force against younger children.
They don't do full contact, but occasionally that happens, like this incident, he was kicked in his shoulder and bashed into the wall.

He loves learning piano. But the martial arts instructor stated that he has to attend that year group, because of his belt level. He wants to carry on both.
I've spoken to the instructor the other day, and his response was that broken bones is kind of common/expected.

What do you think? Do any of your dcs do both martial arts at high level and also learn musical instruments? I am extremely concerned about broken finger, does that affect the child's ability to learn to play piano?

[nonicknameseemsavailable]

I think it is just one of those things, some activities aren't particularly compatible. doesn't mean someone can't combine them but they have to accept that one can cause injury which may impact the other. It depends if they are serious about either of them or just doing them for fun really. Martial arts, rugby etc all do carry more chance of broken bones than some other activities.

[Witchend]

Unless he's similar size to the 12/13yos I would be concerned that he's fighting against them. He's at much greater risk of injury.

[Wafflenose]

Lots of children do high level sport and music, and occasional injuries are just one of those things. My DD is good at music (11 years old and Grade 7 on two instruments, so takes it incredibly seriously) and not so good at sport, but I'm pleased she's trying a variety of sports, because she's keeping fit. Recently, she badly sprained her wrist by falling awkwardly in Dodgeball, and just after recovering from that, hurt her finger playing Rugby - it's twice its usual size, and green, so she had a one-handed piano lesson today, and probably won't be able to play the flute for at least a week. Kids are kids, and accidents happen!

[user789653241]

Thank you for your advice.

Yes, accidents happen. I think I was a bit freaked out since he never got injured all these years except for bit of bruise, and now he has to attend class with older children. He is tiny compared to some of them!
But they are very protective and normally take care of him really well.
I guess I just have to stop worrying too much. Thanks.

[ReallyTired]

In your position I would change his martial arts club.

Dd sprained two if her fingers and her violin teacher worked on music theory with her.

[drummersmum]

DS (15) also very dedicated to music. If he did martial arts I think at this point it would be quite incompatible to be honest. He's forced to to rugby by school but he's stayed in the bottom team where they hardly do any contact and half way through the term they switch them to table tennis . He also goes to badminton club which he loves and it's very safe compared to other sports. So yes, he does a bit of sport but he gravitates towards safer sports where the risk of injury is much lower. Your DS could keep both, but if suddenly piano became a priority/passion for him, you may find yourself cancelling martial arts lessons before a music exam or a concert!

[MonkeypuzzleClimber]

I have a very adventurous, tree climbing (and slightly clumsy) 8yr old violinist. She broke her left wrist a few years ago. Luckily she could still play with her wrist in plaster (though not fourth finger) and it actually improved wrist position when it came off!

That said, I did ban her from trying out the Heelys (lethal wheeled shoes) she got for her birthday until after she went on her National Children's Orchestra summer course the following week. And I almost had a heart attack when I saw teaching herself how to do a one armed cartwheel (while clutching her school bag with the other) 2 days before she was due to re-audition this year . She's always getting into scrapes and I think there's a fair chance she will break something again, but I want her to have a life outside music and not to resent it stopping her doing stuff, so I guess we'll just have to live with that.

[MonkeypuzzleClimber]

P.S. Hi to the other music mums on here. I've been a lurker for a while but will try and join in now

[Fleurdelise]

DD has done ice skating for about 6 months while also taking her piano exam at one point. I used to have this nightmare that she'd fall and get her fingers chopped of, obviously a tragedy exam or not, but it felt like it would be even more serious as we were approaching the exam.

I jumped for joy when she decided to give it up!

Oh and she also decided to join the weekly roller skating disco about 2 weeks before her piano exam having never roller skated before.

The thing is, I prefer less dangerous sports as she enjoys her music and it is pretty serious in our house but I won't ever say no to sports. Just re-direct her to something less...damaging if possible.

PS Monkey [waves] come and join us on the musicians thread.

[MonkeypuzzleClimber]

Thanks Fleur. I will

[user789653241]

Thank you everyone for advice.
I never really liked him doing combat sport in the first place, but if that's what he wants to do, I can't stop him, sadly.
Even the self defence lesson is scary to watch now, they teach children to push/pull the finger the wrong way to let the offender drop weapon or let go of you. And they have to try it on each other...

Piano started to become big part of his life now, but this club is also such a big part of his life as well. He has made lots of good friends over the years, both younger and older.
If music become more important for him in the future, he may stop. But I don't know...
Until then, fingers crossed and I will try not to worry too much.
Thanks again.

[hertsandessex]

My son plays music to a reasonably high level and also karate coming up for his black belt. I am surprised that his club seems to think breaking bones etc is somewhat normal, especially if it meant to be no-contact. It is extremely rare at my son's club and there are a number of British team members. Perhaps different for other martial arts. More generally though there is a risk with lots of sports especially rugby and basketball (which I think is more risky for hands than karate) and the question is just how serious he wants to be about music. I know many musicians who have given up sport completely which it too much but I can see why it is better to focus on less contact sports such as tennis or for team sports perhaps football or even hockey.