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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

child 10 yo Double bass - grade 3 / but says does not enjoy it

18 replies

schooling123 · 30/05/2018 06:00

started double bass a few years ago. she says she enjoys playing with others (orchestra), but does not like practise (strongly displikes!) With persuasion, still has lessons (teachers comes home) and now will take grade 3. On hand hand, I think this instrument is in demand so will give her opportunities to get to different orchestras etc, she porbably does not want to do practice, as it would be easier not to do...On the other hand, maybe she really dislikes it and even opportunities in orchestras etc will not be enjoyable to her anyway...?

OP posts:

horseymum · 30/05/2018 08:21

Such a shame as I love double bass and the opportunities it has given me but we don't always use our head when loving an instrument, heart has to be there too! Maybe see if she can meet up with other basses as it can be a little isolating. David Hayes does amazing bass workshops round the country which are so much fun, look up his Facebook page, if you can't find it I will send a link, she would be really inspired. I think the northern college of music may do ' young bass' days too if you can get to Manchester occasionally. Get her to watch some inspiring solos as it is not just about playing in an orchestra. BBC young musician had an amazing bass player, it will probably still be available on iPlayer or the website, it was in the string round but he got a special prize at the end for most promising player I think. Keep going if you can but if she absolutely hates it after trying all that, you may have to accept it that it is not for her.any other questions just ask.

Kerberos · 30/05/2018 08:25

Watching as i have an 11 yr old Tuba player with the same feelings...

PickYerWillyCircus · 30/05/2018 11:40

For what it's worth, my DD(21) says she wishes I'd pushed her to carry on with ballet when she'd got to this age & couldn't be bothered. Every week was a battle.
I too feel that I wish my own DM hadn't given in when I expressed a desire to stop piano lessons. It's my biggest regret, despite the fact its only for my own entertainment & not that I would have wanted a career as a pianist.

raspberryrippleicecream · 30/05/2018 15:04

Does she want to stop completely or switch to something different? Do you have the resources to let her try something different alongside for a while?

My DD started on violin at 8 and switched to cello at 11. She did eventually give it up but the sax she started at 10 is still being played at 18 and she hopes to take it with her to uni.

Similarly my DS2 started clarinet at 7 (and got to grage 6/7 standard) but is now a brass player.

Original poster

schooling123 · 30/05/2018 20:13

I could try and arrange the brass instruments trial for her and see...

OP posts:

SilverHairedCat · 30/05/2018 20:17

I enjoyed the orchestra playing of double bass (over 20 years ago now!) but found the playing of it alone to be dull after the wonderful sensation of being part of the orchestra. Also, DB music is often boring!

Do you want DD to play the DB specifically or would you be happy for her to branch out? I was simultaneously playing the DB, flute (wind band), trumpet (silver band) and piano, and loved it all.

ScattyCharly · 30/05/2018 20:19

Difficult. Kids can be unsure of what they actually want. My dd (10) often gets cross about doing piano practice so I asked her if she wants to give up. She shouted NO. What does your dd day?

ScattyCharly · 30/05/2018 20:19

Say

endofthelinefinally · 30/05/2018 20:28

Maybe a change of instrument would be good plan.
A musical child will find something they love.
My DC hated music at school. It was a chore and tedious.
Now, aged 20 that child works professionally in the music industry and plays 4 instruments well enough to compose and record.
What about some workshops or similar.
Music should be uplifting and enjoyable.

Original poster

schooling123 · 30/05/2018 20:30

she says she would like to give up both double bass and piano...but might come back to it some time in the future. Maybe it is a pressure that she feels ( working towards grades on both instruments)...She loves listening to audio books for hours, biking lessons, so there is something she enjoys.

OP posts:

Trumpetboysmum · 01/06/2018 06:52

If you think it's the exams and pressure that's putting her off maybe sit these exams and then have a break from them ? Then she could see if she likes it with the pressure removed .
As others have suggested trying out different instruments if you can is a good idea - brass instruments are great but try and persuade her to keep the piano going I so wish I'd learnt as a child

horseymum · 01/06/2018 21:11

Just re-reading this and wondering if the issue is that she needs to be challenged more and have some more exciting or beautiful pieces. I was not a talented player but I was grade 3 level in a relatively short time, the earlier grades for double bass are fairly straightforward with not that great pieces. Maybe she needs to skip exam preparation and get some more fun stuff, there is loads out there, can just be a bit harder to find.i never actually did any grade exams, only school exams. Mind you, a little more focus on scales would have helped me now in orchestra!

Ummmmgogo · 01/06/2018 21:15

bless her. let her quit. think of all the money you'll save! or maybe have six months off and see if she misses it?

BellaVida · 01/06/2018 21:18

Does she want to try a different instrument? Some times it just has to 'click' for a child. My DS started out with piano, v v slow progress, lots of resistance, then changed to woodwind instrument and loved it. Has progressed massively since then, joined loads of ensembles/ orchestras. He just found 'his' instrument.

endofagain · 01/06/2018 21:40

I have friend who plays professionally in an orchestra.
He firmly believes that instruments are related to personalities.
He makes us laugh with stories about violinists always wanting to go everywhere together, percussionists being generally loud and attention seeking etc.
Maybe there is something in that?

BringOnTheScience · 02/06/2018 00:14

Radical suggestion - go electric...
Bass guitarists are always in demand. And being able to switch back to double bass because she knows the fingering will be a huge advantage. Could easily play fretless bass too.

MismatchedPJs · 07/06/2018 22:58

Base guitar was my thought too. Give it a whirl if she's interested (and if you can find a teacher), and she can always switch back later.

The3 · 10/06/2018 12:34

A change of instrument could be the thing. I have a child who was very good on a stringed instrument but tried out a woodwind and found that it was his thing. He also plays a brass instrument which he loved right until he started taking lessons, and since then has plodded on in a lukewarm way.

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