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Extra-curricular activities

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

Original poster

Piano or violin

33 replies

sunlightthrough · 29/01/2023 16:15

DD6 would like to pick up an instrument and is showing an interest in the violin although says that she wouldn't mind the piano.

I play the piano (diploma decades ago..) and always thought she would be better off with the piano (if she doesn't mind it) as home help is available.

Her brother has been progressing well with the piano and we found it helpful that I have the knowledge of that instrument especially when the DC is young.

I have no idea about string instruments except that they sound so beautiful. I wonder if she would be better off with her 'parent's' instrument... Or we could have a go at the violin as maybe I could try and learn (how?) how to support her home practice?

Any opinion welcome and appreciated:)

OP posts:
Clymene · 29/01/2023 16:16

Young children learning the piano is far less aurally challenging than the violin.

AlexaTrinity · 31/01/2023 22:10

It depends I guess. I started with the violin at age 5 and did ok. My DD is 7 and also plays the violin and is doing well. However my DS - I knew that he would struggle with violin somehow.

How about renting a violin for a couple of months and see how it goes? Do you have a music shop near you where she can have a go?

Practising wise, I'm sure it will be fine if you were playing at diploma level (same here!). If you can sit in the lessons, take notes and learn techniques from the teacher. YouTube is also surprisingly good :)

You don't need to be able to play the instrument as long as you know how to practise an instrument. You'll also be able to teach her how to play musically, which can be difficult with non-musical parents. You can also tell your daughter she can play much better than you and give her tips. Good luck and hope it goes well.

WhaleTanker · 02/02/2023 17:13

Go for both!!

The violin sounds pretty awful for a long time, but if you keep at it, it's so rewarding and you have so many options to play in an ensemble

Pianos are not portable and harder to get in a group. You also have to be really quite good before you can do anything meaningful like accompany, lead singing, be part of a chamber group.

Piano trains in harmony much better. Violin trains the ear much better.

My DC9 has done both since age 4(vln) and 6 (pno), and it's not overly taxing.

mdh2020 · 02/02/2023 17:23

Piano is a solo instrument. If DD learns violin they can play in a school orchestra and string quartet. Schools favour instrumentalists who can join an orchestra.

Lottsbiffandsmudge · 02/02/2023 17:28

I'd suggest piano to start with. Mine learnt from age 6 and then picked up another instrument a bit later. Benefit of piano is learning both clefs. So could pick up any instrument and be off to a flying start.
DS1 did piano and cello
Ds2 did piano and violin.

FluffyYucca · 02/02/2023 17:28

Whichever she is most likely to practise!

I’d personally always tend to go for the more “sociable” instrument as playing in groups is way more motivational to me than solo playing. But depends on what she wants and what she’s like.

Spanielsarepainless · 02/02/2023 18:03

A sibling took up the violin. After a few months of cat-strangling sounds, the budding Yehudi was made to put a sock in it. Piano to start with.

Original poster
sunlightthrough · 02/02/2023 23:35

Thank you so so much for the replies. Most helpful!

Just tossing an idea of staring with the piano and adding a string instrument later.

If we do this, when would be the righty time to add the second study - once on around what grade on piano..? I'm guessing DC would have to be good enough with the piano before adding the next.

Also, if the string becomes the second study instrument largely for group playing opportunities, would we be better off picking something less popular than violin, to increase the chance of being selected for orchestra and etc???

OP posts:
FluffyYucca · 03/02/2023 00:20

I don’t think there’s a specific grade but if she’s going to start on the piano it would make sense to wait for the second study until she has at least a basic grasp of music theory and can read the notes. Piano and strings are very different in terms of playing (obviously) so I’m not sure a specific grade is necessarily something to aim for. (I may be biased with this as I was a high-level string player who never learnt piano formally)

Violin is popular but there are also a lot more opportunities for violinists, and can easily switch to viola at a later point.

Think most people I know who ended up in higher level study started violin at between 6 and 8 years old.

Lottsbiffandsmudge · 03/02/2023 07:27

As I said earlier we did exactly this. Started piano beg Yr 2, started stings beg Yr 3. By which time they could read the relevant clef and understand rhythm etc
One violin, one cello.
Never had a problem getting into groups.
Ds2 (17) playing the piano in Rachmaninovs 2nd piano concerto with shcool orchestra in April and is also G8 violinist. He has just accompanied many friends at open mic night on piano and has played in show bands for shcool productions on both instruments he also plays keyboard in a band and has played at various evets. Piano can be v sociable!!!
And it's great at Xmas!!!

Tescoland · 03/02/2023 07:41

If you consider space in your home and portability, then violin is more practical. Pianos are big and you can’t carry them with you anywhere.

StillWantingADog · 03/02/2023 07:58

I learnt both, piano first though
the obvious question, do you have a piano? Obv they are large.

personally I think much easier to start with piano, you can learn some fundamentals of music much more easily and without having to worry about balancing a thing on your shoulder - being coordinated with a violin is key whilst they can make progress with piano earlier.

violin sounds bloody awful for the first few years. However if you stick at it I can’t recommend it enough. There is no better instrument to get into a orchestra, more violin places than any other. At about 16 I made the switch to viola and I have been in demand as an adult!

I’d say piano for a year or two first but no specific grade to aim for. I started the piano at 6ish and violin at 9- much younger and violin will be too difficult I think.

Original poster
sunlightthrough · 03/02/2023 09:04

Thank you so much. This is all incredibly helpful.

We have the piano at home at DS8 has been playing for a couple years. He's has no interest in other instruments yet.

DD6 would like to try the piano and the violin. Piano probably because she's always had ky around her and violin probably because we have string music on in the background a lot. Also, she's v competitive and likes having things she can do better than her brother.......

So it's a good idea for me to explore that she starts on the piano but add the violin at some point soon. Still not so sure after how many years of piano alone or after what grade it's best to add the violin. But maybe I will know more once she starts? DS is on grade 3 on the piano now but I feel that it's not quite good enough to have a second instrument added? 😅 So we could be looking at many few years before she goes for the violin..

Also.... for primary school aged children with 2 instruments, do they practice both every day and for how long each day..?

Also.... violin - we live in a terraced house. Are neighbours ok with practicing (especially when it doesn't sound nice for a while in the beginning) Our piano has silent function and use that in the mornings and after 7pm. But I believe there isn't a violin with a silent function.

OP posts:
IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 03/02/2023 09:10

Violins sound beautiful when played well....

The piano never sounds too bad (apart from little kids crashing about , but that shouldbt be the case if they are having lessons.

FluffyYucca · 03/02/2023 09:19

Still not so sure after how many years of piano alone or after what grade it's best to add the violin. But maybe I will know more once she starts? DS is on grade 3 on the piano now but I feel that it's not quite good enough to have a second instrument added?

A year or so of piano should give her the basics to be able to read the notes fluently and understand a little bit about how music “works”. I wouldn’t target a particular grade; people can make different progress on different instruments anyway. I’d say the best time to start her on a second study is when she keeps asking to learn it!

SleepingisanArt · 03/02/2023 09:25

The violin is terrible for neighbours to endure when first learning! Unlike the piano it can take a long time before it sounds even ok. Please be kind to your neighbours......

thirdfiddle · 04/02/2023 18:41

I think a good teacher and a reasonable quality violin can stop it sounding awful. DD's teacher went nice and slowly and got her to listen to tuning right from the start, it's when they play out of tune it sounds awful.

In terms of how long between instruments - really up to you and the child. Get the first instrument established with good practice habits and see when child wants to and convinces you they're going to practice both regularly. Grade 3 is absolutely well enough established if he wants a second. Mine both had about two years between. Ds found piano hard going and went faster on his second instrument so ended up taking two grade 2s in the same sitting.

WEEonline · 18/02/2023 00:08

Agree to aim for grade 3 piano before moving on. By then DD also have a much better idea about it all

MrsElijahMikaelson1 · 18/02/2023 00:13

Google a Suzuki teacher for the violin. Start now. The focus is all on technique and they learn by ear. DD can play whole concertos without the music and if she hears a tune, she can play it.

BonjourCrisette · 18/02/2023 00:22

If it was me, I'd start violin first and add piano later if there was enough interest. I play both and the violin is much more rewarding. I feel a deep emotional connection to my violin, to the sound of it and to listening to violin music. Piano is nice but meh. Maybe ask your child which they prefer?

Groutyonehereagain · 18/02/2023 00:28

My son learned both and did well. He’s extremely musical, which helps much more with a violin as you have to play the notes by ear. He also has very long fingers, which means he can stretch an octave plus four. These things are important when learning an instrument.

RiverSkater · 18/02/2023 01:49

Violins are more portable but you are more likely to find pianos in other peoples houses / country homes and random rail stations where you can treat guests and passing commuters to a rousing emotionally wrought piano piece with everyone moved by your talent.*

  • possibly just my piano playing fantasy.
Hope551 · 18/02/2023 04:22

I have a violin and piano I'm going to pass to my LO to try. I find it depends on individual. When I was young I dabbled with a few instruments, I really took to the piano, I loved strings but I was not a natural at all and struggled immensely with my fingering on notes, just naturally couldn't grasp it. Whereas other family members were the other way around, great with strings but couldn't manage piano with the multi tasking of left/right hand. My brother ended up taking to the saxophone as he has great pair of lungs haha. So I always think it's best to try a few and see what you naturally take to :)

thirdfiddle · 19/02/2023 16:55

Also.... for primary school aged children with 2 instruments, do they practice both every day and for how long each day..?

We say if they want lessons they should play every day - within reason, sometimes we're just out or something. Apart from anything else, every day is easier to get to happen routine wise, it's just built into the day.

At the beginner stages it doesn't require a lot of time, say 10 minutes a day. My last remaining primary schooler DD is year 6 and approx grade 6 on her instruments, she does maybe half an hour on each instrument on average. Usually the ones that practice more progress faster (and some do a lot more than DD, but most don't).

Bridgegeek · 01/03/2023 02:49

My son took up violin at 7.5 yrs (he had been asking for about 6mos, but we held off until we were sure he would stick with it). After just over a year he is playing Bach (the Minuets in Suzuki 1) and has joined a beginner orchestra. If I had realized quite how much parent input was required, I might not have signed him up, but I am so glad I did! It is really enjoyable to see how much he has progressed. I did clarinet in school and had no idea about strings, but it is just a case of taking notes during the lessons and supporting during practice and any musical knowledge helps. I got away without much practice on the clarinet and got good enough to play in ensembles which I enjoyed, but I really don’t think that is possible on the violin. He has a wonderful teacher and is progressing well, but daily practice is essential and I really think private lessons are probably pretty necessary too, his teacher packs a generous 1/2 hour each week and I can’t see how he could get that input in a group, whereas 20 minutes group lesson on the clarinet seemed fine.