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Extra-curricular activities

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

Original poster

Multiple Music Instruments?

28 replies

HalloweenCheeseboard · 23/10/2021 12:22

Hi, hoping for some advice from the parents of very musical children.

My youngest DD was just sitting at the piano, looking at the sheet music for Fur Elise and slowly starting to play it. Far from perfect and it took a while to get it right.

But….DD is 8 and has never had a piano lesson. She is working on Grade 3 Flute and has grade one on both recorder and viola. Apparently she had looked at a YouTube tutorial and figured out where the notes were on the piano-treble clef and bass clef and then she went for it.

I am wondering if I should do something about it? However, I am a bit reluctant to have her playing a lot of different instruments.. She plays both the viola and the flute in (different) orchestras and ensembles (and has private lessons in both) She also has a recorder group lesson and apparently an ensemble within that group.

Should I do something about the piano or just let it go…?

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gogohm · 23/10/2021 12:33

Sounds like my dd, she picked up her sisters music and played it without lessons (dd1 asked for violin lessons, Dd2 asked for piano) dd1 is studying music at university and plays 5 instruments to grade 7/8

Original poster
HalloweenCheeseboard · 23/10/2021 12:40

Wow, that sounds amazing gogohm. Do you think I should let her just get on with it or give her piano lessons? What did you do?

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sluj · 23/10/2021 12:40

Once you can read music, its easy to play a simple tune on the piano once you get where the C is. She is probably doing enough at the moment.
Both my DS's can pick out tunes on the piano but they are brass players. They would need lessons to do both hands though Grin

Original poster
HalloweenCheeseboard · 23/10/2021 12:47

Sluj, DD was playing with both hands 😳. I am keen to let her maybe get on with things and she could have piano lessons if she insists.

I totally get that it is easy to pick out tunes from one instrument to the other. Recorder to flute was very quick. I was just amazed at the bass clef figuring out…. But maybe I shouldn’t be. In the string ensemble she is the only viola and the school cannot be bothered to give her the music on the alto clef so she is transposing in her head. “Quite easy” she says 😳

Brass sounds fun! My older DD (12) is preparing grade 8 on the violin but gave up the Oboe after grade 4. DS plays only the violin. We never had brass in the flat (neighbours might kill us if we did more)!

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butterflyze · 23/10/2021 12:53

Lots of musicians play the piano as well as their own instrument.

I'd let her get on with it herself for the time being, but if she asks for lessons then that's the time to do it imo.

Newgirls · 23/10/2021 12:55

Perfectly ok to play piano and another instrument. It gets expensive though for paying parents 😭

Original poster
HalloweenCheeseboard · 23/10/2021 12:55

I am leaning towards that butterflyze. She asked a while ago but if she doesn’t ask again I will just let her be! Thank you all!

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LSSOaudition · 23/10/2021 12:59

My 2 children play six instruments between them. But then they also both play instruments which have other versions of the same instrument within the ‘family’ if you see what I mean (like flute with piccolo).

I dread to think how much money I have spent on lessons, instruments, exam fees, sheet music and course fees over the years. And now that they are older, they are struggling a bit to fit in practice on all the instruments with homework and exam revision.

We did it almost the other way round to you. I insisted they had a couple of years piano lessons as a base before exploring other instruments. IME multi-instrumentalists will usually pick up other instruments more quickly.

If you can afford lessons and your child wants to learn piano then I would say go for it and invest the time in practice now whilst they are still young and before the demands of secondary school get in the way.

londonmummy1966 · 23/10/2021 13:03

I had one doing piano organ cello and voice at one point and it was too much. Given flute and recorder are quite closely related in many ways the three she has are probably fine but I suspect adding piano into the mix will be a bit much. Having said that piano is so useful especially if she is likely to go some way with music (so looking at Grade 5 theory and GCSE etc). If she did start asking for piano lessons might there be an option to stop formally learning recorder so it was just a fun instrument for ensembles etc rather than one where she is learning pieces and taking exams etc?

londonmummy1966 · 23/10/2021 13:05

@ LSSOaudition are your DC in LSSO? Mine has just left as too old but has absolutely adored it.

Sorry for sidetracking the thread.....

LSSOaudition · 23/10/2021 13:09

@londonmummy1966 - hullo! Great that your DC loved it so much! My two are both auditioning this year. They haven’t tried before so have no idea if they will get places. Their teachers suggested auditioning so am crossing fingers as they both really want to do it. Auditions are after half-term.

21budgies · 23/10/2021 13:27

I'd recommend piano plus 1 orchestral instrument for the moment. If she doesn't have a preference, then viola.

chesirecat99 · 23/10/2021 13:28

If you can afford it and she enjoys it, go for it! She's clearly talented.

If she ever wants to study music, from GCSE onwards, or have a career in music, being able to play piano is a huge help. It makes it so much easier to understand harmony and being able to sit down and play multiple parts makes composition easier, being "fluent" in bass clef is another advantage. It's also a pretty essential skill if she ever wants to teach music (academic or practical).

Even if she finds it too much to continue with 3 instruments in the future, having the basics will really make a difference. Although, if anything, I would probably drop flute lessons and just keep it up as a fun instrument to play in ensembles once a week. I speak from experience of being an 8 year old flute/viola/piano player who regretted giving up piano when it got to GCSE Grin

Wrinklyeyes · 23/10/2021 13:36

I agree with others who have suggested dropping flute if there is one instrument you are looking to drop. Piano will always be beneficial. There are lots and lots of very talented young flautists. Not saying your DD is not one of them of course but she will probably have more opportunities with the viola. She may absolutely adore the flute of course and I would never suggest dropping a much-loved instrument in favour of one she likes less just because of still hypothetical opportunities in the future.

She is still very young but should she want to pursue music as a career, piano will be really ‘key’ Grin

SevenOldLadies · 23/10/2021 13:36

Piano is something you can definitely learn by yourself if you’re motivated, particularly with all the YouTube videos around now.

I reckon I play to about Grade 7 level (although only ever took Grade 5, which I passed with distinction), having never had a piano lesson in my life. I do play other instruments, though, some self-taught and some not.

Original poster
HalloweenCheeseboard · 23/10/2021 14:13

There is so much to think about!! I am reluctant to give up the flute for now. She loved it since she was little and she is taking grade 3, so the most advanced on the flute.

I know the opportunities on viola is much bigger but we’ll keep going with both for now. I will see about the piano. My little one is very different from her siblings.

My oldest took piano lessons and hated it, violin she loves but as a fun instrument. She practice way too little but managing to prepare grade 8 and playing in orchestra so she is having fun. Oldest DD is all about sports at the moment.

I totally get that piano is good for music theory. Having said that oldest DD sailed through it with only treble clef instruments. But then again, if piano is good for all music we will take that into consideration. DD2 is so little and I don’t want to pressure her in any way. I just want her to love music.

We may drop the recorder but then again she never practices outside the group lesson. I am trying to resist her taking grade 2 (mainly for the hassle as she is preparing grade 2 viola and grade 3 flute) but her recorder teacher is very keen. I guess all the playing in lessons, practice and orchestra/ensemble makes it easy to progress on an instrument where she already knows the notes….

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chesirecat99 · 23/10/2021 15:24

Your eldest DD must be both very talented and playing more than enough (in groups, if not practising her pieces/scales etc directly) if she is grade 8 at 12 without being a diligent practicer Grin TBH, unless she has ambitions to be a professional, it's probably best to let her coast and learn through having fun making music rather than pushing her to practice. Surely the point of learning music for most people is for pleasure?

Unsurprisingly, I don't think many young DC are skilled at practicing anyway, as in perfecting technique/intonation or working on musicality, they just play things over and over again. They might as well have fun playing in an orchestra rather than on their own in their bedroom!

Original poster
HalloweenCheeseboard · 23/10/2021 15:35

Thank you chesirecat. I am very proud of my oldest and proud of her keeping music as a part of her life - even if she is much more into netball, tennis, lacrosse, trampolining etc. I am letting her coasting along and having fun. We currently have her Head Of Music quite upset about the whole thing. She cannot understand why anyone would drop the Oboe and Singing (both grade 4) and practice so little at grade 8 preparation stage. I do fully support her in her choices, it is her life.

My youngest is puzzling though. She is much less sporty than her siblings and the first to just decide to “teach herself a new clef on a new instrument”.

I love the orchestra/ ensemble playing. They seem to be having fun with music and that is so lovely.

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21budgies · 23/10/2021 17:00

Flute is nice at grade 3. But later on it becomes all about the high notes. And it's very competitive.

Mendingfences · 23/10/2021 17:44

Dd2 started with flute, added double bass, then added euphonium and is fairly competent on the piano (self taught). Flute is competetive in a orchestra setting but it turns out dd is becoming an asked after player in jazz/pop settings (as in adult bands are asking her to guest - she's 13). She plays bass in orchestra.

Didiplanthis · 23/10/2021 17:54

Dd is playing violin grade 5, but also picked up viola along the way, having has one lobbed at her in orchestra and told to give it a go, taught herself alto clef and fingerings as she went along and is now a viola convert. Interestingly as a viola player, she has had no trouble picking up bass and tenor clef pretty naturally in theory lessons as she understands the treble/alto difference etc so I think that has really helped..

Didiplanthis · 23/10/2021 17:57

She also practices far to little but enjoys ensembles and playing tunes she likes for hours at home so we run with it as it keeps music fun, which is kind of the point. I taught myself piano to about grade 5 when I needed it for GCSE and to understand my accompaniment better as my first instrument was clarinet.

Original poster
HalloweenCheeseboard · 23/10/2021 21:00

That is such a good point about flute being competitive and that it increasingly becomes high notes. DD loves it though Sad.

It is very interesting to hear the Jazz aspect. That could suit my DD, she seems to always go for the jazzy or blues like choices in the ABRSM choices.

We will see what happens. I understand that viola is a “good” instrument for getting opportunities. She is the only viola player in her school and she does like it. I am just keen for her to play the instruments she really enjoys…

It is lovely to hear about all your children who loves music and ensembles/orchestra Smile

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londonmummy1966 · 24/10/2021 14:39

@LSSOaudition fingers crossed and good luck with the auditions - I remember the nerves sitting outside and then waiting for the results. Quite a lot don't get in first time round so don't let them be too disheartened. The key to it is to know the orchestral excerpts really really well so that they can look up and watch/react to the conductor as he mucks about with tempo and dynamics etc.

It is an amazing experience and as well as the regular concerts at the Barbican DD has had the opportunity to place in some fantastic venues.

LSSOaudition · 24/10/2021 14:49

Thanks @londonmummy1966 - the audition is online and I think am probably going to take a walk around the block as I hate being able to hear these things Grin. Am the same with exams - I always wait outside.