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

[MovingOnUpMovingOnOut]

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.

[notauniquename]

The younger you start, the easier it is.

I played an instrument in school, this ended in playing in bands/orchestras, playing regional and national competitions, I went overseas on tour three times. not always convenient. and not for the feint of heart or time light, (I used to practice with bands and orchestras 3 nights a week for 2 hours, do lessons in school.) -I had friends who also did Saturday centre music schools and played in more orchestras... -you're also expected to practice at home!

For me, learning music meant I went to different countries, made great friends had great times and learned a skill...
I have friends who have made a life of playing music professionally, other friends who make a life of playing and teaching...

Music doesn't come naturally, it's learned skill... so of course it takes some time and practice to get any good!
Personally I think that music has so many benefits to growing up. and opens possible avenues for employment etc.

Change the question about, if you can afford it, why would you not give your kids this gift? (if they don't like it they can always quit)

[LaydeeC]

I agree with everything Discopanda has said.

[velourvoyageur]

Everything I learnt to do with music after the age of about 12 is shakier than anything I learnt beforehand. I still have trouble reading the bass clef quickly and reading rhythm is completely beyond me- it all seems so abstract. Chords however, cos I learnt them from the beginning, they're very easy and readable. I got through music exams (up to G7) by memorising all my pieces, it was the only way, my teacher during my teens tried really hard to explain about note values but it wouldn't go in.
I'd start them off young.

[FriendlyLadybird]

Youth is wasted on the young. Give yourself lessons if you want to.

[Discopanda]

It's more than just learning to play the instrument- learning to read music growing up makes it easier to learn foreign languages, there is a social aspect to it if they join bands and groups at schools and you need to learn self-motivation because you need to regularly practice. As long as the child is happy to learn an instrument and doesn't feel forced into it, I think it's a really positive thing.

[PancakesAndMapleSyrup]

Pah go for the Viola, its lovley to hear. Ive not had a bad back through playing and played for years. Still get it out now and again. DS has started on the viola and has been doing it for a couple of years from the age of 4 on an altered violin. He hates practicingbut likes the results. Go for it!!

[Golferman]

On the other hand, you are never too old to start. I'm 61 and I'm having guitar lessons every week through my son's music tuition business. It's great and gives me a real sense of achievement.

[manchestermummy]

Music lessons have been great for my dd1(7). She started piano at 6 and we added violin last term and is developing a confidence and determination I am proud of. I like to think she's musical (because I am, very) but so long as she enjoys it that's all that matters really.

DD2 seems musical so she will start piano at 6 too.

I can read all four clefs and at one stage could score read all four at once so ner.

[hiddenhome]

Yes you can use a violin, but you don't get the depth of sound. You can buy 14" violas. They have a deeper body.

[Glittertwins]

Another crazy one here then :) if a full sized viola is too big, it is possible to tune down a violin. Worked fine for me when I was younger.

[SorchaN]

I mostly play the piano but I'm happy enough with alto and tenor clef as well (the latter for trombone, the former for arranging things for viola, which I can't actually play). It's not that hard to learn different clefs, and it's easy enough to remember if you practise regularly. My kids aren't particularly musical but enjoy learning violin - their teacher is amazing and got them producing a nice tone from the beginning, even though they're never going to win Young Musician of the Year or anything like that. I reckon it's always worth learning an instrument at any age.

[Tobyjugg]

Endo Sorry, couldn't resist.

[YouTheCat]

I learned the violin for 6 months aged 10 and loved it. Hated the viola as I just couldn't get to grips with the clef.

My parents couldn't afford music lessons so I just had to take whatever was free at school so I got a book and taught myself to play the piano when I was 11.

[hiddenhome]

Couldn't you just go when you could manage it?

I was going to join with my flute, but there's always loads of flautists. We're as common as muck I really wanted to be different and more importantly, needed.

[EndoplasmicReticulum]

I joined an amateur orchestra last year and as usual there was only me in the viola section. Was really sad I couldnt keep it up as enjoyed it a lot, but my stupid job meant that committing to a whole evening a week was impossible.

[hiddenhome]

Omg, I don't even dare to think about tenor clef

It's amazing how you can actually feel the brain struggling to figure something out and it hurts too.

[treaclesoda]

It's not as bad as the tenor clef though...not that that matters on a viola, but still, it's an annoying clef.

[hiddenhome]

Bass and treble go together well because they are so different. You don't get them mixed up it just sort of fits.

Alto is the devil's own work. It makes me cross just thinking about it. I loved my viola.

[CrystalSkull]

It's never wasted. Even if they stop playing, there are scientifically proven benefits for the brain, memory, work ethic, etc. Having said that, you should definitely learn if you want to. I teach two adults and they love it and are making great progress.

[Christelle2207]

Eh? Im a viola player and never had a bad back or met another violist that did!
I think violin is a better one to start off with though, the viola clef is an arse for starters. Violins are cheaper and more portable- I happened to be well suited to the viola as I have long arms, but not everyone is.

[hiddenhome]

Bass clef is easy, but alto is too much like treble and my brain got tangled up as I'm firmly stuck in treble mindset I played for a few years and still couldn't read the clef. If it wasn't for that dratted clef I'd have carried on and joined the amateur orchestra as they're always desperate for viola players. Heck, they get down on their knees and worship you if you play viola

[treaclesoda]

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.

[hiddenhome]

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.

[EndoplasmicReticulum]

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.