Active discussions

Help protect children from gaming harms.

Take our survey

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Extra-curricular activities

Find advice on the best extra curricular activities in secondary schools and primary schools here.

Original poster

What instrument for DD (9)

40 replies

Toomanychoices · 20/08/2012 15:25

My DD plays the piano (grade 3-4 level) and sings (grade 4). She wants to learn an orchestral instrument to join the orchestra when she moves to senior school (will be going into year 5 next month).

She is reasonably musical, but as the piano already requires quite a lot of practice it would be good if the new instrument would be easy at least to start with. Although flute and clarinet would be ideal, they are quite popular so competition for orchestra places would be fierce.

So is there a relatively easy and not very popular instrument out there for her? I should also add that she is very petite and likely to remain so.

OP posts:
Lancelottie · 21/08/2012 11:49

If you're feeling rich -- harp? Seriously. DD has a very petite friend who plays harp, and is welcomed with open arms into most orchestras. A friend's son also plays, and currently has a small one for busking as well.

You do need a big car, though.

Original poster
Toomanychoices · 21/08/2012 11:41

My DS is a beginner violinist and my sister studied the violin to diploma level, so I know what beginner strings sound like. When my DS is playing I pretend that it sounds good. It took many many years for my sister to make beautiful music on her violin, bizarrely I'm not put of by the beginner stage. I have selective hearing loss Grin.
The oboe has also been on my mind, her teacher at school thinks she might be too small to start now.
My DD started the whole orchestra instrument thing, she is very keen to play music with others. Her sister is now moving to secondary school and they have far too many year 7 kids playing the flute, clarinet etc so for someone starting these instruments in year 5 who will still be inexperienced in year 7 they wouldnt stand a chance of playing. That's why i think it may be a good idea to play an unusual instrument for my DD

OP posts:
Sickandsad · 21/08/2012 11:15

I started DD on the oboe as I play myself. She is now 9 and has been playing about a year. She found my old student instrument quite heavy and was not able to reach the lower keys well as her finger stretch is not yet big enough. I have now moved her onto a Howarth Junior Oboe which is much lighter and has no key work on the third joint at all as it has all been moved up slightly to accommodate smaller fingers. The difference in her playing is remarkable. Downside is the cost of the instrument compared with the flute or clarinet. She is in the school orchestra however as they were keen to have an oboe and the secondary schools we have spoken to are also interested in a more unusual second instrument. Grin

ReallyTired · 21/08/2012 11:11

String instruments are fiendish to play in the early stages. I imagine that learning to play the viola would sound like a strangled cat singing alto. It takes a lot of practice to get the violin to sound vaguely respectable.

She is very young being grade 3/4 in piano and singing is a massive achievement. I would not worry to much about competition for orchestra places. Why don't you ask her what instrument she would like to do.

Wafflenose · 21/08/2012 11:04

Before reading the replies, I thought oboe or viola. If she wants to do a stringed instrument particularly, and wants to be able to get a place in orchestras right through school/ college, etc, I'd crack on and learn viola and alto clef right away (I did this!) Another clef will be easy if she can already read two. She will start with a violin strung as a viola though!

I would choose oboe over viola though - I know a child going into Year 4 who's been learning for a year and is doing brilliantly. He's on the tall side, but by no means enormous.

Original poster
Toomanychoices · 21/08/2012 10:34

Thanks flussy. Does the fact that she already knows the treble clef from her piano and singing make any difference? Would you still suggest that she starts on the violin?

OP posts:
flussymummy · 21/08/2012 10:11

I'm a pro viola player and would suggest that at the earlier stages it's sometimes better to start on violin (particularly if your DD is quite small) as viola players need to be able to read treble clef anyway and it would get around the issue of having to learn a different clef. Also, then she has the option of carrying on with violin instead or as well if she enjoys it.

Original poster
Toomanychoices · 21/08/2012 09:07

Thank you all for your very useful advice. I'll try to find a viola teacher

OP posts:
Sastra · 21/08/2012 08:14

Viola. She'd have a much better chance of getting into some decent orchestras when she's older (looks amazing on a Uni application!).

No, she'll pick up another clef easily. It's like languages at her age.

Original poster
Toomanychoices · 21/08/2012 08:10

Strings are very tempting and especially the viola. My concern would be that she has learnt the Bass and treble clef for the piano, would learning another clef for the viola be confusing?

OP posts:
joanofarchitrave · 21/08/2012 00:45

Viola. It's a lot more unusual than violin or cello, and easier to carry than the latter. The only problem is the lack of repertoire.

Colleger · 21/08/2012 00:39

There is a shortage of strings, especially upper strings in many orchestras at the moment.

chocoluvva · 20/08/2012 22:41

I've heard various things about wind instruments having an effect on children's teeth.

Original poster
Toomanychoices · 20/08/2012 21:38

Thanks for the advice choco. Oboe is very tempting but I've heard that they have to be older to start? I think the bassoon will be too big for her, trombone good idea. I'll do some research, thanks

OP posts:
chocoluvva · 20/08/2012 19:46

Oboe, trombone and bassoon are not as popular as flute and clarinet (though her hands will most likely be too small for bassoon).
French horns are sought after (but famously difficult).
Double bass might well be required.