what second instrument for 7y dd?

[Hulababy]

Dd has the chance to start individual instrument lessons next academic year. She can borrow the instrument to start with.

She already had piano lessons privately which she loves, and does aural work with tutor too.

We can chose from flute, clarinet, sax, brass, violin, classical guitar, cello, or oboe.

Anyone in the know who can recommend one?

cello is good if you like sitting down to play.

perfectprefect - a LOT harder to move from cello to viola than viola to violin technique-wise. whether violin / viola / cello have different clefs is neither here nor there, because the notes will be in a different place iyswim anyway.

I think the problem with our Fiesta was trying to fit 4 humans, a viola and a cello into the thing! But we still did it.

I was chosen to play viola because I had long arms - a full size viola can be a bit of a stretch, but as a small child you would learn on a violin strung as a viola, so not an issue - and most people start by playing the violin anyway. Agree that there is always a demand for viola players, although there is something called a 'viola joke' which is a bit like jokes aimed at accountants!

I don't think the string thing is especially true pp. viola strings are exactly an octave higher than a cello, but violin has 3 strings the same as a viola (you lose the bottom one & gain a new one at the top), but aside from the bottom string violists can play in the same way as violinists but shifting one string over, whereas cellists are reading different music. Double basses are strung totally differently though (in 4ths rather than 5ths), so it's not easy to switch from say cello to bass.

I do agree that cello is a more comfortable playing position.

I have never heard of anyone moving from cello to viola tbh. But most viola players could also play the violin, as the technique (on the whole) is very similar, whereas very different to playing the cello.

more likely to get neck & shoulder problems with violin & even moreso viola than cello.

but fortunately for ds, 'cello scrotum' was made up by some doctor as a joke - not a real condition.

Ok, I have a different take on this. I played a wind instrument in school, to grade 8. It was great because I easily got a music GCSE and A-level out of it.

BUT - I hate classical music, and always resented being made to play in orchestras, etc, at lunchtime in high school etc.

Now I never play the wind instrument any more, but play guitar instead. I taught myself the guitar, but would have loved to have lessons at school.

A guitar is something that will give your DC pleasure all through life. You can play it on your own and sing along. You don't need an orchestra or piano to accompany you. You can write songs, join bands, play along with your favourite band. Its so much fun! And very cool.

So I think you should look at what type of music your DC likes, and think beyond school with this one. I know it is classical guitar that is in the options, but the principal is the same and then your DC can take it as lessons through school and then do what they want with it in later life, but unless they are into classical or folk music, a violin, cello or wind instrument are likely to be left gathering dust in the loft once your DC is through school.

Lol - I have heard of that one before!

I did develop a gangleon (lump) in my left hand which may have been due to viola playing - as you say, the position for the left hand is quite a strain particularly for viola.

DD just isn't interested in playing the guitar at present, from what she has said anyway. But I can see what you are saying.

As she already plays piano it's less of an issue for her though. Piano also gives you the ability to play loads of music on your own & sing along too. But you can't take it camping!

lol; no she def can't take the piano out and about

My ds2 is learning violin. Dh is a brass teacher, so ds1 learns trombone, but ds2 did not want to do brass - probably wise as if dh was teaching him there would be fireworks!

I dreaded the idea of violin, but the noise he makes is surprisingly tuneful and he absolutely loves it.

Hi Hula,

I learned piano (from 4) and clarinet (from 10) and I have to say that I felt rather hurried into making a decision on the clarinet. We had the choice of taking up flute or clarinet at the age of 10, and were given the 'opportunity' to blow into each one to see which we could make the better noise with! I was keen on the flute at the time, but happened to get a better sound from a clarinet (on first 'blow', IYSWIM) so I was strongly 'encouraged' to learn clarinet. I did, and took it all the way to grade 8 (later got local music scholarship and eventually music degree) but in truth, always hated learning clarinet (hated feel of the reed in my mouth from the outset) and regret not having more time to decide back then. Was the cause of much frustration and resentment for years!

All very personal of course, but with that in mind, I'd say make sure she feels genuinely excited about learning the instrument, and has had time to try a few out if possible. Maybe let her listen to a few different pieces of music featuring that instrument, or better still, take her to an orchestral concert and let her watch and listen.

(or jazz / folk concert, perhaps, depending on what she's showing an interest in)

Hula, does she actually get a choice or is it guided?

At our school, all the Y2 children are trialled on all instruments (from Y3 we offer cornet, trombone, french horn, viola, violin, oboe, clarinet, cello). They spend an afternoon, blowing, bowing and plucking and each peripatetic music teacher grades them A* - C on their specialist instrument.

The music co-ordinator takes into the scores given by the peris, along with their ability on recorder, their academic ability, their musical ability (form her observations of the class music lessons she teaches each week) and whether they play an other instrument already. She would not normally give someone who plays piano the viola, as it's yet another clef to learn.

There are a limited number of places available for each instrument and sometimes thechildren don't get their first choice, because no matter how much they liked it, they couldn't actually do what itshould do with it!

Bassoon, sax, classical guitar, percussion and voice are offered in later years (Y4/5/6).

DD played piano from 5yo and dropped it at about 9/10yo iirc, having reached Grade 3. She took up sax in Y6 and got Grade 4 in March (Y7). She has played violin since Y3, just about to take Grade 4 and played that in a local youth orchestra (training) and then swapped to viola for orchestra and kept violin at school. The viola helped a bit with her Grade 5 theory (passed in March). She can also play the cello a little (altho not recommended for a violin player because of bow technique, like shouldn't play clarinet and french horn for example) and has tried out a friend's harp.

Anyway what I'm trying to say is it might be useful to get some very good professional advice. DD's relationship with the violin is strongest, even though she frequently finds it challenging and it was chosen for her through the school system I mentioned when she actually wanted to play the trombone!

Oh I forgot flute - we also offer flute at school from Y3

Yes, she gets a choice. Had a letter home today to hand in by end of week if she wants individual musc tuition and to say in what and if she wants to use one of their instruments. It is not compulsary - we paay fr the tuition offered if taken up, etc. But DD would like to take up a second instrument.

We offer up to one year's free tuition (20 min one-to-one lessons weekly) reviewed termly, depending on the child's progress on the instrument and in their musical knowledge, and their commitment to practise. They also take part in a weekly ensemble with their peers (organised to take ability/experience into account) and workshops and performances throughout the year. Over 90% of children continue into the second and third years of learning, with a drop in Year 6 to about 75-80% of children still playing an instrument.

I hope she finds something she enjoys

Oboe would be my choice. Really interesting orchestral pieces and lovely sound.

Bearing in mind she is only just 7 and has yet to lose any baby teeth at all (so may be a while waiting for big ones to grow), and the interest DD has shown preference too - she has put down for violin for this first term to start with.

If she has got perfect pitch then violin is an excellent choice and shouldn't sound hideous in the initial stages. She should be reminded to listen to herself though as after piano children often just plonk fingers down (especially if sticky tape is used to show them where) and carry on playing there even if it sounds awful. As soon as they are reminded to listen they make the adjustment themselves and it's soooooooooooo much nicer to listen to.

Oboe: lovely sound when you can play it - sounds like a duck at first!

Our DD has been playing piano from 6yrs and took up cello at 7years(because that was what her piano teacher said she would have liked to have learnt but she learnt piano.french horn and trumpet)tbh I didnot know what cello looks like or how it sounds.I showed the cello being played by yo yo ma and rastropich in you tube. She just fell in love and really enjoys playing them both.Doing her grade 2 in cello on monday

LET HER DECIDE.

didnot know anything about the clef when she started - Cello bass
clef and piano bass and treble clef.So one instrument complements other

Sorry to hijack the thread - she keeps nagging to learn another instrument Do you think it is wise to let her do that?

How old is she notanidea?

My ds played piano & cello & in year 6 wanted to take up saxophone. At the time the head of music told me it was a big undertaking to do 3 instruments & discouraged it. I'm not entirely sure his answer would have been exactly the same if the sax teacher had had any spaces at the time - I suspect it might then have been more of a well it's a big undertaking but you could try it & see .

So ds didn't, and has at times regretted it, but overall not. He has a lot of interests outside music too & appreciates that there are only so many hours in the week. Quite a few of his friends do 3 (or more) though, but they all spend less time doing sport than he does, so it is an individual thing.

It is a big undertaking though. Remember that at senior school homework ramps up a bit too. What level is she at on piano? It might be worth getting to say grade 4 or 5 on one instrument first.

Good luck with the grade 2 btw.