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

If your kids do piano, please could you answer me a couple of questions about them.

40 replies

tortoiseshell · 24/09/2008 10:16

I teach piano, and my kids do piano as well. I'd just like to ask some seemingly random questions, will explain why later! I have a theory that I'd like to prove...

  1. Is your child good at any sport?
  2. If so, which sports?
  3. Do they seem a co-ordinated child or an un-co-ordinated child?
  4. On the piano, did they find it easy or hard to put hands together - particularly when playing something like a scale where the hands are going in the same direction?
  5. Do they find the piano 'easy' or do they have to work hard to sort the notes out.
OP posts:
mehgalegs · 25/09/2008 11:38

Just re read FAq - mine do fencing club and are both very good. DS2 one fencing club trophy last term.

mehgalegs · 25/09/2008 11:37

  1. DS1 -no. DS2 is a good sports all rounder, very nimble and agile.

  2. DS1 is a good swimmer but not so good at ball games. DS2 good at cricket and football.

3)DS1 a liitle absent minded, bungling mad professor type. DS2 very coordinated.

  1. Both found it easy (to my surprise I still struggle)

  2. Both find it easy, very musical DS1 Grade 2 Jazz DS2 to tajke exam soon. they are doing duets at the moment and will take Grade 1 duet exam. Amazingly talented don't know where they get it from. Excellent teacher too.

FAQ · 25/09/2008 11:32

trying to think back to school - we didn't do many sports there - fencing was the big one...

Most of those that were fantastic at the fencing (and thinking back those that did other sports) played the piano, but as their 2nd instrument - best fencers were

a cellist
a trombonist
a percussionist

Seeline · 25/09/2008 11:32

DS, nearly 7 has very little interest in any sport, playing or watching. Catching and kicking etc not particularly skilful, and I would say generallly un-coordinated. He has really only just started hands together, and certainly no scales yet, but does seem to have picked it up remarkably quickly. Generally, I would say he is finding it easy at present, although I'm not sure how much he is actually reading the music or playing by ear IYSWM. What's your theory Tortoise?

Original poster
tortoiseshell · 25/09/2008 11:31

I need a few more answers first!

OP posts:
FAQ · 25/09/2008 11:30

am intrigued as to your theory.......

Original poster
tortoiseshell · 25/09/2008 11:27

lol!

OP posts:
Original poster
tortoiseshell · 25/09/2008 11:27

Aha Faq, you may prove my theory with that!

OP posts:
FAQ · 25/09/2008 11:26
  • just noticed that you started the thread tortoise - so already know about co-ordinating hands and feet on the organ
FAQ · 25/09/2008 11:25

none of my children play (although DS3 showing massive interest - but too young yet)

However I can answer for myself - I play the piano (and organ - so 2 hands and feet need co-ordinating)

  1. Is your child good at any sport? - No totally hopeless - especially if it involves hitting a ball with something in my hand

  2. If so, which sports? N/A

  3. Do they seem a co-ordinated child or an un-co-ordinated child? - wasn't particularly co-ordinated as a child (not much better now)

  4. On the piano, did they find it easy or hard to put hands together - particularly when playing something like a scale where the hands are going in the same direction? Yes I found it easy

  5. Do they find the piano 'easy' or do they have to work hard to sort the notes out. - Found it fairly straight forward

PussinWellies · 25/09/2008 11:18

Okaaaay...
I've had three piano starters, two of whom have given up:
DS1 (has stopped)
(1)and (2) Good at sailing and gokarting
(3)Two left feet
(4)Very frustrating
(5)Sightread from music to keys effortlessly but never knew what the note was called.

DS2 (has stopped)
(1) and (2) Rubbish at most sports, OK at gymnastics
(3) Very badly coordinated, walks into walls
(no, I don't see how he manages balancing on a high beam at all)
(4)Very difficult. Often played one or both hands in the wrong direction
(5) Difficult

DD1 (started 6 mths ago)
(1) Idle child
(2) but OK swimmer
(3) No
(4) Easy
(5) Easy unless tired

Original poster
tortoiseshell · 24/09/2008 18:13

And also is specifically hands together! Co-ordination question is more about gross motor control - whether your child is one who can effortlessly turn a cartwheel/bowl a ball/hit a tennis ball or one who is all arms and legs all over the place when they run - you know what I mean!!!

OP posts:
Original poster
tortoiseshell · 24/09/2008 18:11

Thank you - much appreciated! Any more answers?

In the questions about the piano, it's very specifically how easy they find it to co-ordinate the hands, not reading music etc. Meant to include that before. Thanks!

OP posts:
chipkid · 24/09/2008 16:22

1 and 2. showing some promise at golf but tis all

  1. co-ordinated
  2. Not got there yet
  3. easy so far
AMumInScotland · 24/09/2008 16:16
  1. Not really. Certainly not interested
  2. N/A
  3. Great at fine motor control, average at gross motor control
  4. Easy - but had learned other instruments before piano
  5. Easy - as above
Swipe left for the next trending thread