Article about the French Horn and Double Bass becoming less popular

[CruCru]

There’s an article here about children being put off certain instruments in favour of things like the ukelele. I think this may have been in the Times but that is behind a paywall.

Is it weird that the article doesn’t seem to mention that instruments like French Horns are heavy / bulky and ukeleles are quite light? I used to play the trumpet and one of the main reasons for giving up was that I had to take it on the bus and carry it from classroom to classroom (nowhere to store it).

I'd say the main reason ukulele is more popular is that it's waaaay cheaper than a brass or large string instrument - schools can't afford to buy a whole load of brass instruments for children to borrow, whereas ukuleles are a lot more affordable. If parents have to buy them, the same logic applies - less money wasted if child gives up the instrument.

Ah yes, I hadn’t thought of that. I know that my Mum bought my trumpet on hire purchase but I don’t know exactly how much it was (she wasn’t very well off). My son plays it now (same instrument so I’ve only had to replace the mouthpiece).

It's mainly cost, fewer schools or parents can afford large expensive instruments.
transport can be difficult too, heavy if kids transporting and if they progress with Double Bass, they tend to grow with the kid, along with size of instrument and car

At least the ukelele isn’t too loud when kids are still learning. I remember my brother trying to learn the trumpet. The sound went right through my skull.

Double bass is a cool instrument. I’d never get my kids into it though as it’s such a pain in the arse to carry around! A nice flute or clarinet is ideal.

That's really sad though isn't it. My kids don't play either of those instruments, but one plays an obscure and somewhat heavy instrument. I would have hated for him to choose his instrument based on size and weight!

Also, it's relatively easy to master a couple of simple chords on a uke. You could get a class strumming along quite happily in a lesson. It is way more difficult to master a Double Bass and, IMO, harder still French Horn and neither instrument lends itself to whole class teaching the way a uke does.