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Extra-curricular activities

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Bassoon or cello?

27 replies

horseymum · 19/04/2018 08:48

Bit of a lurker on music thread but thought this was a separate question. Youngest is toying with which instrument to take up. She is nearly 8 and does piano lessons and recorder informally. She likes cello or bassoon for orchestral instrument and I know I should let her have free choice I can steer a bit! Pros of bassoon- her sister plays oboe with a fab teacher who comes to the house, he is actually a bassoon player anyway so would be very convenient. No other bassoon players in the area so easy to get into things . Which is also a con as no bassoon friends, but her sister copes with no oboe friends. Cons- v. expensive to buy ( might hire/ borrow) a lifetime of being a slave to reed issues! ( Just learning about this with sister!) Teacher had said it is possible to grow out of small instrument capabilities before growing into full size instrument, not sure how quickly she would progress so not sure if this would be an issue.
Cello pros - cheaper to start, may be able to get school lessons with great teacher ( but if not would have to find someone) size not a problem, easier maintenance?
I play double bass so would have a bit of a clue.
Cello cons - loads of good cellos around locally ( as food teacher in the schools!) so harder to get into things.
Anyone got any thoughts?

OP posts:
Wafflenose · 19/04/2018 09:47

Bassoon!

MidLifeCrisis007 · 19/04/2018 09:45

If you know the price of a bassoon and are still considering cello or bassoon, then I'd definitely go for bassoon!

There are lots of opportunities for bassoon players in orchestras and ensembles given how few of them there are. And you have a teacher who comes to the house - it's so much better to learn at home as you get your full 30 minutes worth and aren't pulled out of lessons etc and can have 52 lessons a year rather than lessons just in term time...