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Extra-curricular activities

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

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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:

gillybeanz · 27/09/2016 21:44

There is a double bass for everyone apparently. It is such a versatile instrument and covers all genres of music, creating so many opportunities.
It isn't a rare instrument though, but certainly in demand.

gillybeanz · 27/09/2016 21:50

This might be handy
www.amromusic.com/bass-sizes

Not the best ref, but tells the basics.

Note very few full size instruments are made let alone played.
The ones you see in most leading orchestras are 3/4 size.

LonnyVonnyWilsonFrickett · 27/09/2016 21:53

I don't even know why I clicked on this thread because DS is not musical but oh marmighty the viola is swoonsome. I even love saying it. I have a whole fantasy life where I'm an introverted viola-playing poet who lives in a (clearly inherited cos I've never met a wealthy violist/poet) tiny little cottage on the Cornish coast called Shell Cottage. I have driftwood fires and I garden....

Ahem. Anyway. As you were.

Has she thought about the viola OP?

PolkadotsAndMoonbeams · 27/09/2016 21:59

Euphonium/baritone - there are some gorgeous solos.

Flugelhorn?

Or, clarinet - not unusual in itself, but do jazz grades.

gillybeanz · 27/09/2016 21:59

Can you do an orchestra listening exercise with her?
Play some oboe pieces modern as well as classical. Look at some of the tv music, but don't confuse with clarinet, if you can.
Play some bass pieces and show her the many different styles she could choose.
Then maybe some beautiful viola pieces, some classical ballet or something. Pick out the best bits and i think something will jump out at her, maybe for no apparent reason.
We still remain shocked that dd started on violin, she was adamant it was the instrument for her, she just must have heard it alot.

Wiifitmama · 27/09/2016 22:03

My son plays the melodeon. Not an orchestral instrument obviously. It's a folk instrument but he loves it and has become hugely talented. He has all his lessons via Skype as we couldn't find a local teacher and he also plays in a folk ensemble. His first instrument (which he still plays and loves) is classical piano.

eurochick · 27/09/2016 22:07

What about classical guitar? It's vastly underrated in my view and sounds beautiful.

Wiifitmama · 27/09/2016 22:08

Oo yes! My elder son plays classical guitar (as well as folk) and it is truly beautiful. I love it!

TheGonnagle · 27/09/2016 22:10

The bassoon is definitely the best choice (said the bassoon teacher!). What's not to love about being able to play Ivor the Engine?

BertrandRussell · 27/09/2016 22:33

My ds plays the didgeridoo. Not much call for it in the LSO...........

Wiifitmama · 27/09/2016 22:38

Bertandrussel- you won the thread! A didgeridoo! I thought my son was unusual with the melodeon but yours wins hands down

BertrandRussell · 27/09/2016 22:58

when he was small we spent quite a lot of time in the sort of circles where playing the didge was quite normal..........We actually have a young melodeon player in the family too.

jo164 · 28/09/2016 20:20

My 7 yr old has just started the harp. She loves it and on the plus side it sounds beautiful even with a beginner! It's not cheap though!

SB3008 · 29/09/2016 22:16

How about recorder? Not unusual instrument wise but unusual to play it really well and a great instrument to play with others

Moominmammacat · 02/10/2016 08:07

SpaceDonosaur, it's a hindrance not a help to learn the violin before cello, clarinet before oboe. Completely different techniques. Go for double bass though, she will be in demand.

Radiodependent · 13/10/2016 15:27

Only just seen this but we have a small double bassist in the house - he started at 6 and plays on a tenth size (we rent it). It's great but yes the transport is a pain as we have a small car. Bassoon or viola maybe more portable!

JaneAustinAllegro · 13/10/2016 15:32

all these replies and not one shout for the mighty piccolo!

drspouse · 13/10/2016 15:36

A school near us has every child learn a brass instrument in, I think, Y5. They get to pick from trombone or trumpet. I'm pretty sure you can't get small size ones so it would just be the same as everyone else uses.

I'd love to have learned the trombone or the double bass as they are both jazz AND classical instruments, and maybe only the trumpet can say that too (I'm not counting jazz violin/flute as they are a bit "tolerated").

drspouse · 13/10/2016 15:37

(Oops I should really have included clarinet in that listing. But I'm still not really counting violin or flute, despite playing one of them, as I've never really felt that welcome in jazz groups).

mumonahottinroof · 14/10/2016 14:07

DD plays bassoon and loves it, but it is bloody heavy and involves a pretty tricky walk to school (drive doesn't work for various reasons). Unless you drive your child everywhere and intend to do so forever, pick something smaller like a piccolo

ImperialBlether · 14/10/2016 14:15

My son studied music and said the students who played the harp could earn a fortune at weekends playing at weddings. Trouble is, you need a vehicle to transport it, too!

ElizabethHoney · 21/10/2016 00:08

Hugely recommend trying to find an opportunity for her to try out lots of different instruments - some schools and music services offer this, otherwise it's a case of many trial lessons over a term.

Children often have an immediate affinity with one instrument which they'd never considered, and don't take so well to the one they thought they'd fallen in love with. Even if it's a term of trial lessons, it's a small price to pay for choosing the right instrument which they could be learning for the next 10 years!

WatchingFromTheWings · 21/10/2016 00:30

My daughter plays the ukulele (self taught via YouTube!). For Christmas I have bought her a set of panpipes and a kalimba!

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