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Extra-curricular activities

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

Original poster

Which instrument for 8 year old

55 replies

ArtOfTheImpossible · 28/06/2022 19:10

From next year my 8 year old daughter can choose any instrument she wants at school. She doesn't know what she wants, any advice on how to pick?

I play the flute myself but knew what i wanted around age 10. I'm wondering whether something like oboe, cello might be a good choice - there seem to be so many violinists already.

OP posts:
motogirl · 29/06/2022 17:46

Oboe is good, not many learn it do orchestras want them but the reeds are pricy

LuluKentGirl · 29/06/2022 19:09

she really needs to be able to try a few to see what she gets on with. my 8yo son is having group trumpet lessons at school and after a term, still cannot get a note out of it. but he's been playing cello for 2 years and just about to take g5.

Summer15coming · 29/06/2022 20:48

I'd start by considering what types of orchestras and/or bands she'd like to play in. Some instruments are included in more types than others, leading to more opportunities.

celestebellman · 29/06/2022 21:46

I learned clarinet, up to grade 8 - although it's a very versatile instrument the big downside is many people play it (I think as they are cheap initially, and portable!) so it becomes very hard to get places in orchestras if that's what you want, due to competition.
Always used to envy the oboe players, as more in demand, so I would go for that.
Other options would be cello, bassoon, French horn or trombone for same reason.
But definitely worth letting them watch the different instruments being played, either live or just on YouTube as if they feel passionate about one they are more likely to stick at it.

cestlavielife · 29/06/2022 21:49

Lso family concerts at barbican
Usually do pre session mert n greet

www.barbican.org.uk/whats-on/2022/event/lso-family-concert-through-the-looking-glass

horseymum · 30/06/2022 11:20

Mine all started on piano but that is quite a lonely instrument. Can you see if a local private teacher would let her try out eg mine tried out oboe, clarinet flute and bassoon and very definitely chose oboe. Yes, it can expensive with reeds but she has never damaged one, it's a regular cost you just factor in. Beginner instruments are fairly pricy and so is the next step up but then you wouldn't need to buy again unless going to Conservatoire, whereas with strings, you would go through several sizes.
Younger dd does bassoon, had always loved it. Thankfully had lessons at home so doesn't need to carry it to school often. She loves being unique and the beautiful sound possibilities. Neither made horrible noises as beginners, I think it's just something people like to say about beginner Oboes/ violins etc.
If she wants to play in an orchestra or wind band, that would suggest clarinet or trumpet being pretty flexible as to what type of music. If she wants a guaranteed place in an orchestra, viola or double bass. You get smaller versions of both. Saxophone is great, several different sizes too but rarely in an orchestra but wind/ jazz bands instead.
Watch the rpo( I think it's them) young person's guide to the orchestra video for some ideas.
Percussion is really varied but can be expensive when you do more than drum kit. You'll always be welcome in lots of types of ensemble.

horseymum · 30/06/2022 11:27

Ukulele is pretty easy to teach yourself from YouTube and instruments start from about £25 up to several hundred. I also love the recorder, so many possibilities, styles of music, different sizes but it's often much maligned and not that well taught. There are some pickets with great teachers and access to good ensembles. Don't be disheartened if they don't stick to the first instrument you try, it doesn't mean they're not musical, just they've not found the right instrument or teacher. Also, get into a regular practice routine from the start will help with progress and ultimately make it more fun. Five minutes each day is better than one mammoth session a week.

mrsmacmc · 30/06/2022 12:17

I wanted to learn the oboe but was told my hands were more suited to a clarinet 🤨 if I could turn the clock back I would've asked about the sax / soprano sax 🎷 didn't get on with any stringed instruments as was a piano / voice major so keyed instruments for me!

Fenella123 · 30/06/2022 12:43

Surprised nobody's saying keyboard or guitar - things that you could quite reasonably be playing tunes for fun on, daily, for the rest of your life.

Cotherstone · 30/06/2022 12:50

DD is loving playing the trumpet. It’s not too difficult to carry around with a good case, and she loves the fact that she’s the only trumpet in the school band. As others have said, there’s loads of different styles of music you can play on it.

Siriusmuggle · 30/06/2022 13:14

Mine got to try them all out at the end of year 2 ready for a year 3 start. He knew he wanted French horn even then (age 7). Luckily that's what he was allocated, he's now 18 and off to conservatoire in September. Horn and oboe are often in high demand as they're rarer instruments, it means they get a lot of opportunities.

Mumsafan · 30/06/2022 13:26

There is a massive shortage of kids playing the oboe and bassoon. Some areas are giving free lessons to get them encouraged.

My daughter started on the cornet and still plays it in a brass band, but also plays trumpet, baritone , flute, and piccollo.

There is also a need for orchestra percussionists but I know it's not everyone's cup of tea having drums around.

Not sure where you are but a lot of the music services have Saturday clubs where kids can go and see what they get one with.

LovelyDogSmell · 30/06/2022 14:01

Jumping in to ask how long it might take for a child who plays piano grade 2 to learn clarinet? Does the clarinet always produce a 'breathy' background sound? Or is this just with beginners?

ObviouslyNotNow · 30/06/2022 14:09

LovelyDogSmell · 30/06/2022 14:01

Jumping in to ask how long it might take for a child who plays piano grade 2 to learn clarinet? Does the clarinet always produce a 'breathy' background sound? Or is this just with beginners?

My dd got G1 level on the piano (hated it), then picked up recorder with the aim of moving on to clarinet if she liked it. That was about three years ago, and she’s working on G5 clarinet now. But she could already read music (chorister) which helped. Though she does very little practice (about 5 minutes a day, about 5 days a week) - she would progress a lot faster if she did more!

LovelyDogSmell · 30/06/2022 14:18

Oh cool, thank you @ObviouslyNotNow ! How old was your dd when started the clarinet! There is hope then as my ds only practices max 10 min piano per day Blush so don't hold my hopes up for extensive addition clarinet practice. Your dd is doing very well!

LovelyDogSmell · 30/06/2022 14:19

*How old was your dd when she started the clarinet?

Lowcarbfest · 30/06/2022 14:24

My granddaughter started with recorder, with a view to progressing to a flute. They're easily transportable and (I think, not being musical myself) relatively easy to learn.

ObviouslyNotNow · 30/06/2022 14:29

@LovelyDogSmell She was 8 when she started recorder, after half a term her teacher said she was ready to move on to the clarinet. Lots of this was over lockdown, so zoom lessons, which made it harder with things like adjusting the reed and when her clarinet needed fixing.

RedPanda2022 · 04/07/2022 12:57

I don’t think it matters which instrument- more important is that the child wants to learn and is enjoying it.

ilovesushi · 10/07/2022 12:07

What does she like the sound of? There are lots of good videos on youtube with musicians introducing their instruments. Very traditional - but I found Peter and the Wolf was a good introduction to different orchestral instruments. DS always loved the sound of a trumpet so that was a no brainer. DD wanted to play the harp after seeing/ hearing one on Young Musician. It was completely out of our price range so she finally settled on the clarinet. If your DD is able to try some out, that could help. I know some music services/ music schools do taster sessions to help you decide. In our area there seem to be lots of kids playing woodwind and brass, not so many strings. In DD's orchestra in secondary school they could def do with more string players all round. But go with what she is drawn to rather than strategising!

londonmummy1966 · 10/07/2022 12:32

Not the harp - unless you're loaded - you need an estate car to move them, a full size one costs about £20k and a full set of strings is a grand.....

If your daughter is someone who likes being part of a team then look at the rarer orchestral instruments so viola, horn, oboe as she is more likely to get in at a lower standard playing those.

Genericusername1234 · 10/07/2022 12:46

Guitar is most popular instrument at my school. It’s practical, portable, affordable and, unlike most instruments, it’s not a horrible sound to listen to kids practice.

Genericusername1234 · 10/07/2022 12:48

Also I know lots of adults who still have and play guitars at home….don’t know anyone who relaxes after work with half an hour of French Horn