What orchestral instrument to learn?

[tricot39]

Any suggestions for a primary school DS?

No idea if he is musical, but if he liked it it would be nice to have started on an orchestral instrument.

Are any better than others to learn? ie are there rarer ones that make it more likely that you get a place? Or do they tend to be more difficult to learn?

I am clueless as I was drilled for piano grades and got fed up after a few years, but learning to read music has been handy at times.

Thank you - whatever the percentage split, I am sure that all of us have benefitted at some time, in some subject, from a wonderful teacher - and similarly experienced the effects of bad ones! How on earth do I go about finding an inspiring teacher?? Not being linked into a musical "network" I don't have access to sources of gossip. (We are in London.)

There's bound to have been a previous thread on mumsnet on location inspirational teachers I would imagine.

I suppose it depends firstly whether your child's instrument learning is during school hours or if it is a private lesson. The school route is obviously the easier one because you ask other parents. If not then half an hour of google will net you a fair bit of info. Just googling a likely instrument and the area you live might be fruitful. You could check out local music festivals, saturday music centres etc near where you are or see if any music teachers in your area have received commendations, awards etc

have you decided on an instrument tricot?

No decisions yet - probably will not decide until the end of the year after the musicianship classes and family concerts. I will pop back for an update then tho!