In thinking the teacher is being ridiculous?

[maggii]

At my ds school they hold a music concert in April every year, students who take music lessons at the school will automatically get invited to perform and those who have lessons out of school will have to ask the music teacher if they can be invited too. My son who’s 12, has been playing bass guitar since he was 8, he really tries hard to improve his playing and puts a lot of effort and time in practicing, he’s self taught, and he’s actually very good for his age!

For the four years he’s been playing, he finally feels confident to perform at the concert, he asked the music teacher if he could be invited and he told my son to get me to email him, so I did. I’ve got an email back today saying he isn’t allowed to perform as they don’t approve of the instrument!? He said that the bass isn’t as interesting as the other instruments, and that they don’t want to encourage other students to play it and that it’s not a good instrument for a solo piece (ds planned to have a backing track with the drums playing, which students are allowed). Am I missing something? Is the bass guitar considered a negative instrument?

Ds is heartbroken, any student who asks to do the concert always gets a yes, so he’s feeling very down about it all. Very tempted to reply but I know I’m going to come across argumentative, as to be honest, I am feeling very argumentative about this situation. The music teacher flat out said no, and that was the final decision. Ds was so excited to finally play to people other than me, dh and his sister, so I’m frantically looking online at some local music concerts or events he can play at as he wants to take the next step.

So my real question is aibu in thinking the music teacher is being ridiculous over the bass guitar? Is the bass a bad instrument, will it have a negative influence on the other students?? Do I reply to his email?!?

Sorry for the long post, I’m just very upset for my son!

If the teacher said that that is awful. I'm a music teacher and would encourage interest in any instrument. Being self taught is amazing. I would definitely question them about this.

That's such a shame! My DS2 taught himself to play acoustic and electric guitars and after a quick audition, was always invite to play at school concerts.

Could the school not see if they have pair him up with an acoustic player, so they can come up with a tune between them?

What a downer! Does your son know a guitarist? Maybe they could play together?

In this case, I'd be telling my son what I thought of the teacher. I'd normally back school, but this is just mean.

Yes teacher out of order . Can you take it to the head? Surely they should be inclusive?

That is very unfair. Could you find a local group like an orchestra that performs for him to attend?

This is so sad and music teacher is being unreasonable.

I would say something and also consider speaking to headteacher

YANBU. I'd be furious and be emailing back saying you absolutely don't accept his response. My DC go to a prep school where the headteacher plays a string instrument and encourages all the kids towards strings but everyone is encouraged to perform whatever they play.

Go above him. Ask the Head to explain why the school feels it appropriate to refuse one pupil on the basis of the music teacher's personal opinion on the validity of an instrument. Bass is so prevalent his response is actually comical.

Your son is amazing to teach himself to play. A teacher should be encouraging yours sons interests in music. I hope you take this further op. As far as teachers go this one sounds like they're in the wrong job

I'd simply forward that onto the the school, marked for attention of the head teacher, and ask if this is the sort of the attitude the school are not supporting. To leave a musician out because the music teacher doesn't understand or appreciate the instrument. His opinion is also very much wrong and bass is as valid a choice as any other.

If I were you I would forward his email to the deputy head who line manages Music, and just ask for confirmation that this is school policy. Don’t moan, don’t say anything else, and just wait and see what happens.

That teacher needs introduced to Geddy Lee if they think bass isn't interesting!

In years to come your DS will have loads of opportunities to play some kick ass music as bassists are in demand but far less common than guitar players.

I’m frantically looking online at some local music concerts or events he can play at as he wants to take the next step
Your local music service may well provide sessions to bring together bass players, guitars, drums etc. Or there is very likely to be an after school or evening session he could go to, specifically for young players. Can he read music? If so this will open up the possibility of playing in jazz bands etc. Again, your local music service should be able to help, I guess it depends what sort of music he wants to play?

I'd be fuming. Totally unreasonable. They should absolutely be encouraging your DS and using him as a good example to his peers. Sounds like he's letting his music snobbery get in the way of being a good teacher. Definitely take this up with the head teacher. Anyone would think he'd asked to play the bloody maracas FFS.

As a teacher, that is awful. Take it further.

That's appalling! I'd definitely be emailing back / contacting the head.

Surely a music teacher should encourage any child who enjoys playing any instrument and what the heck is wrong with a bass guitar - plenty of millionaires from that talent ... I would speak to the head

Unfortunate, but schools have their educational strategies. A friend of mine, in the 1980's, was newly employed as a music teacher in a London school. Her qualifications were skills in traditional musical instruments. The school, before she was employed, had a Trinidadian steel band. The school just abolished it.
The school had obviously discussed it, they had their reasons...….it just happened.
We parents should just "bite the bullet". No more could we criticise a school's Maths or English strategy.
Sorry.
Good luck with alternatives for your DS, OP!

Whether you take this to the Head/Deputy Head or Head of Music, depending on the structure of your school, I definitely agree with those posters who advise simply forwarding his email with a request for confirmation that this is the school's policy. They need to see what he has written.

And frankly I'm appalled that the teacher said no without even hearing him play. Yes, he might be shite but he might also be the next Paul McCartney. What a tit!
And as for saying he doesn't want to encourage others to play the bass ... that really beggars belief and most definitely should be escalated to the Head.

Survey a musical instrument is just that.

Music is music.

Anyone would think he'd asked to play the bloody maracas FFS
Hey, no dissing the maracas! They're not as easy as you think to play well.

What an awful music teacher. Your son sounds lovely, and he's chosen a fantastic instrument. The bass is such an important element of any band. Take it up with the head!