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Extra-curricular activities

Find advice on the best extra curricular activities in secondary schools and primary schools here.

Original poster

Dd wants to learn an unusual instrument

48 replies

Dancergirl · 27/09/2016 13:47

What would you recommend? She is 9.5, Year 5. She's learnt piano in the past and passed Grade 1.

She was talking about the double bass but I don't think she is old enough for that! Plus she has no experience with violin which I imagine you need to learn first...?

OP posts:
MissPattie · 27/09/2016 13:48

No you don't have to learn the violin first.

It's more dependent on how big she is

MissPattie · 27/09/2016 13:48

Also... How big your car is

Original poster
Dancergirl · 27/09/2016 13:49

Grin We have a big car so that's not a problem!

OP posts:
Wafflenose · 27/09/2016 14:11

Go for it!

Alternatively... bassoon, trombone, tuba or harp! They are unusual for good reason though - they are all large and expensive!

CryingShame · 27/09/2016 14:14

Having had a friend at school who played the double bass, the instrument tended to stay at school and she stayed after school to practise there, rather than taking it home. Could your school facilitate that?

Lancelottie · 27/09/2016 14:16

Our secondary school had 4 bassoonists at the last count. And tubas are not just big, they're bloody heavy. Go for the double bass (you can get half-sizes).

Original poster
Dancergirl · 27/09/2016 15:29

Thank you! I am amused by the idea of a half size double bass....is that a single bass? Grin

OP posts:
everywhichway · 27/09/2016 15:37

Oboe?

Lancelottie · 27/09/2016 15:41

Grin I guess so!

Sunnydawn · 27/09/2016 15:43

DS is 9 years old and learning the double bass. The junior size is manageable - I just have to lower the back seat of our car. You have to carry a stool around too.

It's great fun.

Sunnydawn · 27/09/2016 15:45

Oh, and he plays the piano but has never touched a violin. Do you have a decent local music school where she could try it out?

BertrandRussell · 27/09/2016 15:48

Bassoon or oboe.

Or viola?

Or a serpent. I've always wanted to play the serpent.

AmeliaJack · 27/09/2016 15:49

Harp?

SheepyFun · 27/09/2016 15:52

My parents insisted on us learning instruments we could take places ourselves (and yes, my lucky brother did walk to school carrying his bassoon!). It's definitely a consideration for us when DD is older, though your lifestyle might be rather different. Which leaves oboe, viola, church organ (you don't take them with you!), french horn (if she's strong!), triangle...

Waitingfordolly · 27/09/2016 15:55

I was going to say harp too. I played the oboe, which was unusual-ish. I loved it but it's not very versatile to play different types of music. I guess whether she's interested mainly in orchestral music or other types too will influence the decision.

SpaceDinosaur · 27/09/2016 15:55

She has grade 1 piano.
Is she still learning or has she "quit"?
Piano lends itself very well to tuned percussion. What about a marimba? Xylophone, gloc? Timpani?
Or untuned? Fancy a drum kit?
Harp? (Basically a finger plucked piano!!!)
^^ I play all of the above Grin

Also, do you play anything OP? If so, apologies if I'm preaching to the choir.
There's a reason some instruments are more widely learnt than others. They provide a great foundation which can be transferred to other instruments within the same "family"
Clarinet is a wonderful foundation into the oboe, cor anglais, sax or even the soprano sax (that's VERY unusual)
Violin is a nice gateway to the cello. Trumpet to the euphonium?!!
Most musicians who play something "unusual" or cool play a "normal" instrument first and foremost.

It's really reliant on what teachers you have near to you.

Exciting!!!

ExitPursuedBySpartacus · 27/09/2016 16:00

Comb and paper?

LooseSeal · 27/09/2016 16:04

One of my nephews plays euphonium. It's turned out to be a great choice because it's unusual he's managed to get places in a couple of youth orchestras which he probably wouldn't have done with a more usual instrument.

Pythonesque · 27/09/2016 16:12

She's a great age for taking up any number of less common instruments. If she can get some "taster" sessions somewhere that would probably help her enormously, narrow her choice down towards something that will really catch her interest and thus motivate her long term. Good luck!

Balletgirlmum · 27/09/2016 20:37

Oboe or cor anglais.

lapsedorienteerer · 27/09/2016 20:50

Bagpipes of course Grin. I suggest this with 'a pince f salt) as DS played this for 3-4 years (age 9-13).......and has now given up

NeverEverAnythingEver · 27/09/2016 20:55

The sousaphone?

The alpine horn?

How big is your car again?

Grin
emwithme · 27/09/2016 21:13

I played the double bass for a couple of years they emptied a store room at school for renovations and found one and it was fabulous, except moving it around school (from music block to hall for concerts/performances etc) or from school to home was a total PITA.

I always wanted to play the french horn. Or the bassoon. Or the cor anglais. What am I saying "or"...I very much mean "and". I would play EVERYTHING if I was given the chance except the violin

I am contemplating teaching myself the clarinet (I can play all the recorders and the flute)

Marmighty · 27/09/2016 21:17

Viola. It's a lovely instrument and always in demand. I've been able to play in great orchestras and ensembles at a much higher standard than me just because they always need violas. And you sit right in the middle of the orchestra so hear all the other instruments around you. It's also not too big to cart around.

Eroica · 27/09/2016 21:18

DD did NCO U10 this summer- some of the double-bassists were absolutely teeny dots! They all managed (except the little girl that had broken her arm!)

I would suggest oboe (but it's hard for beginners I believe), French horn, bassoon.