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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think learning a musical instrument is wasted on the young?

47 replies

MovingOnUpMovingOnOut · 31/12/2014 22:05

I'm in my 30s. Neither of my children are remotely musically gifted. I learnt several musical instruments as a child. I was ok but not very good.

I would like my children to learn an instrument. They appear to have
Inheirited Dh's musical abilities ie none. Would I bu to have cello lessons myself and not give the dc any? Or maybe the viola. It's less bulky.

OP posts:
EndoplasmicReticulum · 31/12/2014 22:32

My mum made me have music lessons as she didn't have the opportunity, and boy did I resent her for it.

I am pleased now that she did though, as after rebelling as a teen and giving up I have now started playing again and enjoy it.

Why can't you all have lessons? Are there enough of you for a string quartet?

LapsedTwentysomething · 31/12/2014 22:36

Start yourself off with piano. I began with cello as a kid as my mum never had the opportunity herself Hmm but neither of us had any clue about how to read music. It seemed to be assumed by my teacher that this was imbibed with the alphabet at age 4, so I was utterly confused from the start.

Tobyjugg · 31/12/2014 22:37

Not the viola. All viola players are crazy.

Original poster
MovingOnUpMovingOnOut · 31/12/2014 22:38

I can read music in 3 clefs. Pay the piano fcucking appallingly. Flute pretty good, recorder like a bastard, clarinet quite good.

OP posts:
Original poster
MovingOnUpMovingOnOut · 31/12/2014 22:40

May be pissed. Deffo crazy.

Can read treble, alto and bass clef

OP posts:
BackforGood · 31/12/2014 22:41

Depends how old the children are, and also, to some extent, how easily you can afford them.
I think its been really valuable. None of mine are going to be professional musicians, but I think the ability to read music is great, even if just for singing as an adult. I certainly don't see money spent on lessons to be wasted.

EndoplasmicReticulum · 31/12/2014 22:43

Oi Toby. I'm not crazy.

(didn't want to mention being a viola player as I know that all the jokes will start...)

ClimbingFramePlanningEnquiry · 31/12/2014 22:44

Do it.

I have serious music lesson tuition envy over my dd's music lessons. I played several instruments when at school, but not all of the ones I wanted to. I really want to play the French Horn.

Dd2 plays cello and piano, and to be fair, she is bloody good, takes it seriously and practises hard. But I want lessons too

EndoplasmicReticulum · 31/12/2014 22:45

I would say that string instruments sound really really awful when played by beginners. Especially the violin. Squeaky out of tune noises.

My son is learning the drums. I'm glad he asked for drums not violin.

AllCowsEatGrass · 31/12/2014 22:47

YWNBU to have lessons yourself. But stick to the cello - the viola might be less bulky in its case, but sure doesn't feel like that when you're playing it. It's a huge bastard of a thing under your chin, like playing a coffin. And it sounds like it too Grin

Original poster
MovingOnUpMovingOnOut · 31/12/2014 23:10

Ok. Th cello it is.

OP posts:
Clobbered · 31/12/2014 23:22

If you get started, maybe the kids will see your enjoyment and want to do something musical too. Much better to lead by example!

hiddenhome · 31/12/2014 23:22

Playing the viola gives you a bad back and can cause damage to the nerves in your neck. It sounds lovely, but it's hard to cope with the damage it causes.

Learning an instrument is good at any age. Research had shown that playing for a few years during childhood can have lifelong beneficial effects to the brain inc. dementia prevention.

treaclesoda · 31/12/2014 23:27

I'm hoping to learn viola, will it really damage my back? Already play violin, so not unfamiliar with the 'instrument under the chin' scenario.

I would learn every musical instrument I could find if I had the money for it. I have a particular fancy for a harp, but they aren't exactly compact Grin

puntasticusername · 31/12/2014 23:28

YANBU. I was passively-aggressively forced to learn piano from ages 7-18. Looking back, it was a ridiculously huge waste of time and money. I never had any musical talent and only achieved a modest degree of success through endless, fucking boring, practice. Definitely spend it on someone who will appreciate it more ie yourself...

EndoplasmicReticulum · 31/12/2014 23:30

A bad back? Nerve damage? Really?

Maybe if you try to wedge a cello under your chin. Those things have big spikes on the bottom.

hiddenhome · 31/12/2014 23:32

It depends on what size you get. The bigger the viola, the more potential for damage. Also depends on how long you practise for each day. Do a bit of research on how to avoid damage. They feel massive compared to violins and they're quite a bit heavier. I'd hire one before committing to buying one as if you buy one that's too big you'd end up stuck with it.

Beautiful instrument though Smile

I gave up because I couldn't manage with the alto clef Sad my brain just wouldn't accept it.

hiddenhome · 31/12/2014 23:34

I ended up with frozen shoulder too Grin

EndoplasmicReticulum · 31/12/2014 23:36

Ha that must be why my back is fine, I definitely don't practise every day. I'm also pretty big myself and have huge hands which is why my teacher suggested taking it up in the first place.

Original poster
MovingOnUpMovingOnOut · 31/12/2014 23:37

On. I,have an abnormally long neck

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treaclesoda · 31/12/2014 23:38

oh, I have teeny wee hands, does that mean I'll struggle?

hiddenhome · 31/12/2014 23:39

I think it's mainly professionals that end up chronically injured, but just be aware that it can happen esp. with violas. My teacher had a damaged shoulder too and went for Alexander Technique learning to try and heal it. She was tiny though.

EndoplasmicReticulum · 31/12/2014 23:42

No you'll probably be fine, but as hidden said try one first. If I try to play a violin now they feel much too small, I have also forgotten how to read treble clef. My brain is too old and befuddled to deal with more than one clef in a single piece of music, I don't know how pianists read two simultaneously.

hiddenhome · 31/12/2014 23:42

I couldn't cope with my 15.5 inch, so I sold it to my teacher and I have a 14 inch (I think) one now which is designed for a child. I'm 5'4" with small hands. Mine is the same size as a regular violin. It's all I can manage. I don't play anymore though.

treaclesoda · 31/12/2014 23:44

I am a pianist, it's my main instrument, so I'm hoping that if I can manage two clefs at a time, I should be able to get my head round a different clef. Although weirdly it is quite a daunting prospect, even though the bass and treble clef being different doesn't confuse me at all.