There’s a very mumsnet conversation happening on my train…

[UpperLowerMiddleClass]

Two mums discussing their primary school aged children. Distinct frenemy vibes. Of course it goes without saying their initial conversation covered just how well their children are doing academically.

Discussion then moved on to extra curricular activities. Mum A proudly saying what grade piano her daughter is doing, how she’s playing violin in the school orchestra etc, when Mum B pulls out a trump card - her daughter is excelling at the harp! But it’s all such a bother, wouldn’t you know? The logistics of transporting the harp, the cost of replacement strings etc.

Mum A tries to rally with a swerve towards sports and there’s mention of her son making the school hockey team. But I can tell her heart’s not really in it. Deep down she knows she can’t compete with the travails of harp logistics. Mum B has won this round.

And before anyone asks why I’m being so nosy, or why I have nothing better to do: Their conversation is LOUD and PROJECTING. I can’t ignore them. I’d love to be immersed in my book but instead I’m now learning all about the intricacies of harp upkeep and maintenance.

That six year old deserves a medal ! .. 🏅
Watching George Clarke on tv and a mum and her offspring have made a mud hut. Peak mumsnet.
( no sign of any harps though)

A girl at my quite ordinary girls only secondary school played the double base (borrowed from school) . Her parents didn’t have a car so she just brought it in on the bus.

This thread is glorious, I've been on mnet about 22 years and these type of threads are so few and far between nowadays. Made me realise just how much I miss them in amongst all the usual guff.

I'm sorry, you need an Ondes Martenot for real wow value, not simply a theremin!

Ondes

The French knew how to invent an instrument eh!

Welsh people play the big harp as well as the traditional one.

I'm sure they do but I think it is clear from context that the mum probably didn't mean a Welsh harp.

Sounds like a scene from Goodness, Gracious Me!

"Black catters" are so annoying!

Clearly worried about the competition.

As an ex-euphonium player*, a harp is definitely superior.

*Grade 4, two marks off a merit. Pride of place on my CV.

No one can compete with a harp.
Game over
😂

...But applying for medicine, so the music scholarship will be a side hustle.
Yes, I did know someone who achieved that combination.

(Edited: they were also well on their way to their pilot's licence while at university).

Haha! This made me laugh.

I learnt the harp for a very brief time as a child; not because I had expressed any interest in doing so but because my mum had notions and wanted to be seen as middle class. (And also because her colleague’s University student daughter was a harpist who wanted to make a few extra quid teaching harp).

The GP we saw as kids had read medicine at Oxford and been an organ scholar. Then went to be a major in the army. By the time we saw him he was a bit of a pisshead and sewed my brother’s face up wrong because he was half cut. A bit of a scar adds distinction though right??

Perhaps it was the signature sign of the galloping major?

I’m the odd one out, but I don’t understand the appeal of the harp. I find it overly saccharine.

Love it. Bet first mum didn't see that harp trump card coming.

Accordion or bagpipes.... but only for sheer staying power of parents for putting up with it ;)

Not sure why but that made me snigger!

Perhaps an organ! :D

I think harp even trumps horses. So refined and elegant.

I think it's because it appears to be so inaccessible for most kids to try it (unlike piano etc).
Just transporting it - omg
X

Private school!!!