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Extra-curricular activities

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

Original poster

Piano or violin

33 replies

sunlightthrough · 29/01/2023 16:15

DD6 would like to pick up an instrument and is showing an interest in the violin although says that she wouldn't mind the piano.

I play the piano (diploma decades ago..) and always thought she would be better off with the piano (if she doesn't mind it) as home help is available.

Her brother has been progressing well with the piano and we found it helpful that I have the knowledge of that instrument especially when the DC is young.

I have no idea about string instruments except that they sound so beautiful. I wonder if she would be better off with her 'parent's' instrument... Or we could have a go at the violin as maybe I could try and learn (how?) how to support her home practice?

Any opinion welcome and appreciated:)

OP posts:
Original poster
sunlightthrough · 02/02/2023 23:35

Thank you so so much for the replies. Most helpful!

Just tossing an idea of staring with the piano and adding a string instrument later.

If we do this, when would be the righty time to add the second study - once on around what grade on piano..? I'm guessing DC would have to be good enough with the piano before adding the next.

Also, if the string becomes the second study instrument largely for group playing opportunities, would we be better off picking something less popular than violin, to increase the chance of being selected for orchestra and etc???

OP posts:
Spanielsarepainless · 02/02/2023 18:03

A sibling took up the violin. After a few months of cat-strangling sounds, the budding Yehudi was made to put a sock in it. Piano to start with.

FluffyYucca · 02/02/2023 17:28

Whichever she is most likely to practise!

I’d personally always tend to go for the more “sociable” instrument as playing in groups is way more motivational to me than solo playing. But depends on what she wants and what she’s like.

Lottsbiffandsmudge · 02/02/2023 17:28

I'd suggest piano to start with. Mine learnt from age 6 and then picked up another instrument a bit later. Benefit of piano is learning both clefs. So could pick up any instrument and be off to a flying start.
DS1 did piano and cello
Ds2 did piano and violin.

mdh2020 · 02/02/2023 17:23

Piano is a solo instrument. If DD learns violin they can play in a school orchestra and string quartet. Schools favour instrumentalists who can join an orchestra.

WhaleTanker · 02/02/2023 17:13

Go for both!!

The violin sounds pretty awful for a long time, but if you keep at it, it's so rewarding and you have so many options to play in an ensemble

Pianos are not portable and harder to get in a group. You also have to be really quite good before you can do anything meaningful like accompany, lead singing, be part of a chamber group.

Piano trains in harmony much better. Violin trains the ear much better.

My DC9 has done both since age 4(vln) and 6 (pno), and it's not overly taxing.

AlexaTrinity · 31/01/2023 22:10

It depends I guess. I started with the violin at age 5 and did ok. My DD is 7 and also plays the violin and is doing well. However my DS - I knew that he would struggle with violin somehow.

How about renting a violin for a couple of months and see how it goes? Do you have a music shop near you where she can have a go?

Practising wise, I'm sure it will be fine if you were playing at diploma level (same here!). If you can sit in the lessons, take notes and learn techniques from the teacher. YouTube is also surprisingly good :)

You don't need to be able to play the instrument as long as you know how to practise an instrument. You'll also be able to teach her how to play musically, which can be difficult with non-musical parents. You can also tell your daughter she can play much better than you and give her tips. Good luck and hope it goes well.

Clymene · 29/01/2023 16:16

Young children learning the piano is far less aurally challenging than the violin.

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