to think that Learning An Instrument is a bit of a useless skill?

[morningpaper]

.... ?

It seems to be something that cheery middle-class mummies with too much time on their hands foist upon their (mainly female) children.

What is the point of it REALLY in this day and age? They don't need to trill something tuneful on the piano to snare a husband - is it REALLY worth the time and money for some very specific and probably fairly useless skills?

I got my first job (not in anything remotely related to music) because I had Grade 8. The recruiting manager said it demonstrated a level of determination and focus that she needed in the role. And that singled me out from other candidates who otherwise had similar skills, experience and qualifications.

but snorkle, I would argue with the piano being the hardest instrument - it isn't to start with, because the notes will always sound the same when you hit them, unlike most string and brass instruments, and even some woodwind (notes can change according to how you blow). The piano only becomes harder as you get higher up the levels and need to play more notes at once.

The recorder is the classic starting point (or was when I was at school), but early piano playing isn't much harder than that.

Guitar physically hurts to begin with actually and if you don't practise enough - you have to build up charming hard callouses on your fingertips. Even more so if you bite your nails!

same with the double bass, buckets - I was told to soak my fingertips in surgical spirit to help the hardening process (and take some of the bruising out as well, I suppose)

morningpaper, you ask a very good question in your OP.

I was forced to play the cello by my mother, as it was the done middle class thing. I hated it - I cried every morning for the half hour practice I was made to do, and dreaded Wedenesdays, as that was the day of my lesson. When I finally put my foot down and said "NO MORE" I was told I wuold regret my decision. You know what? I have never regretted not being able to play the cello - ever.

If I wanted to learn an instrument now, at the ripe old age of 36, I could, but I don't want to.

Both my children 7/8 have nagged me to let them play an instrument and theyre both doing the piano now and loving every bit..they happily performin front of visitors..their choice not mine..i wouldnt force that on anyone.they both want to do other instruments too so im happy to follow their lead

My brother got into the uni he wanted to go to because he played the trumpet and so did the professor interviewing him. Then when he left he got a job interview and guess what that manager had played the trumpet too.

My brother was never particularly good on the trumpet, but it kept him out of trouble and got him his first job.

My useless musical skill allows me to earn a good hourly rate with 12 weeks holiday a year. It means I can always pick up ds from school. It meant I had the best paid Saturday job of any of my friends (played for a ballet school)

I have a healthly number of adult learners who gave up as children and regret it. They see it as a relaxing leisure activity.

Taking part in organised music and sport have been shown to delay puberty.

Haven't read all the posts, but I've had a lot of fun and even a bit of use out of being able to play the sax very badly - when we lived in Spain I played in the local marching band which (a) was paid (b) involved going to all the fiestas round about and getting free beer and (c) helped me get to know loads more people and become much more part of the town.
I was never forced to learn - had lessons while keen on the flute as a small child, gave up age 11 because I didn't want to play anymore, took up sax age 14 when free lessons were on offer at school. Parents best described as reluctantly tolerant (sax is not a quiet instrument)

Only a big chavo would say something like that.

pah

[disgruntle music teacher who hears this often]

same here mumblecrumble

I also hear - well my DD doesn't need to take GCSE/A Level because she is grade 3/4/5/6 etc and just enjoys playing it at home

and....

(for A Level discussions) well what can you do with music anyway???

...well what can you do with blinking sociology/media/psychology i feel like saying back

My personal favourite is: "whats the point of teaching year 7,8 and 9s music when most of them wont take it at GCSE."

Nice one twenty pence - I too spent my teenage years earning triple the minimum wage sat in my cosing house teaching music to kids an sdults who got lots of pleasure out of it........

I never learnt an instrument and I'm very jealous of musical DP who learnt violin and piano. He appreciates music so much more than me and when we listen to clasic fm in the car he says 'I played this in whatever orchestra' and I'm all

I looooooovvvvvveeeed youth orchestra - best years eva!!!!!!

My dp is very working class,but a very talented musician who can play quite a few instruments.He is self taught and has a natural flair .I can play nothing.I think it is a lovely skill to have and very beneficial.DP gets totally "Lost" in his music,and it gives him great pleasure.He is currently teaching ds guitar,not too full on but they are having a great time with it.I think it is a lovely ability to nurture.

YABVVVVVVVU. I cannot believe that kind of mindset. You have got to be shit-stirring.

Music is liking breathing for many many people and I for one used it as a form of therapy throughout my teens when it was my only true friend, and I have been obsessed with it ever since. Most musicians I know are the most rounded intelligent people I know, due to the many skills that one gains from learning and performing music. My son who has asperger's has benefited greatly from listening and being involved with either my music or my partner's (both of us are opera singers). DS does piano lessons, and whilst I know he will never make a concert pianist, he gains a lot from the lessons.

Life is not all about making sure you can get a job that pays the most money. We only have one life, and what a sad life that would be without some form of creative and spiritual feeding from music or other art forms.

liking breathing? 'Like' of course!

BTW, I am utterly appalled at the lack of music in the educational system in this country. IMHO, there needs to be more music at primary level, not less, and attitudes like MP's just serve to deaden and dumb down society.

Actually,I don't think MP was totally being serious,just trying to generate an interesting thread,TBH.I agree re music teaching.Mine was dire,I never really had the opportunity.I have grown to love all types of music though,mainly through DP.I don't know much about opera,but the part in the film "Shawshank redemption" when the lead character plays that aria (?) has me in tears with its beauty.I think music is a very positiver thing.It crosses all boundaries.i visited Peru and witnessed the local teen lads getting together on an evening and jamming in the square.My dd has sn and loves music totally.I wish I had the ability.Its a lovely thing to be able to play/sing.

My SIL's 13 year old son is learning the guitar and is writing songs to help him cope with his mum's brain tumor - really gets a lot off his chest and says it makes him feel much better.

DD1 (aged 5) has asked to learn the piano or violin so her dad will be teaching her piano. Most people, except Anna, love listening to or dancing to music - why shouldn't they get the chance to make it for themselves.

Very sad that it is seen as an exclusively middle class thing. I don't think that is true though - lots of kids round here into making music.

Think the response to music begins with the echoes of your mother's heart moving through your bones before you are born.

Haha, how did you guess WW! Yes, I feel very strongly about this. If a child decides it is not for them, that is fine, but at least they should be given the chance. Music can be enjoyed at so many different levels. The effects on children with ASD are profound and can instill discipline and increased EQ in other kids. The show 'The Choir' (think that was what it was called) was so telling in the sense of self worth that a child can get from being involved in music. My partner just toured with an opera company around different schools and the response he got was overwhelming.

In terms of my SN child,Music is one of the things she relates to the most.She has no speech but she is rapt and squels with excitement when Daddy gets his guitar out.She has a little keyboard which she loves and lots of percussion instruments.She signs "Music" when we are sitting at table for dinner and we HAVE to put radio on !!!Ds who is NT is always singing!I hope they have inherited their dads musicality!