Playing an instrument

[JemimaMop]

DS2 has wanted to learn an instrument for a while. We told him to wait until he was 7, which he now is.

He has the choice of private piano lessons (which DS1 already does), or woodwind, brass or strings through school. Initially he wanted to learn piano the same as his brother, but now he has expressed an interest in the trumpet. I think he would suit the trumpet as he is quite a "character", unlike his older more studious brother who is quite happy to do half an hour's piano practice every morning before school.

The only thing that worries me though is the fact that he doesn't have his top adult teeth yet. Will this mean he can't play brass instruments yet?

I'm not an expert, but the guidelines I was given for trumpets is to have their two top adults teeth in. If they're not in yet, it's recommended to either wait or try the cornet.

Maybe he will be able to play the cornet then (TBH I'm not sure he'll be able to tell the difference so I doubt he'll mind!).

Thanks

I have come to the conclusion that the best way to choose an instrument is by the teacher because some teachers are dreadful, so I would ask around how others find the teachers. I'm not sure if that sounds odd! My daughter is just about to give up on the cornet, the teacher is really discouraging, but wants to carry on the violin with a teacher who praises constantlyu.

At DDs school, the woodwind and brass teachers do a 'tryout' session where anyone interested can see if they can get a note out/are big enough.

I'm sure a brass teacher would be happy to let your DS try trumpet/cornet.

Dh is brass teacher - absolutely need adult top front teeth. He looks dimly at any teacher who takes on a pupil without those teeth. Has he lost his front teeth yet? He wouldn't teach cornet without those front teeth either.

I have all this discussion with DD last year. We settled on the recorder as a starter instrument, it is okay whilst your teeth are settling. They get to learn to read music and develop rhythm. If they then would like to progress to another instrument the have some good music foundations.

At ds's school they start on the ukelele! Nice and small and cheap, not too hideously loud and you can get a tune out of it quite quickly.

Ds is starting the trumpet next week - lord help us!