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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

Anyone's child learning more than 2 instruments?

14 replies

marialuisa · 20/09/2009 17:29

DD has just gone into Y4 and already plays 2 instruments at a decentish standard. She briefly had lessons on a third which were shelved when she changed school. She is now (apparently)longing to play the third instrument (oboe) again. She/we have a fairly packed schedule already. Does anyone have a DC playing 3 or more instruments and if so how are they getting on?

OP posts:

LIZS · 20/09/2009 17:33

dd has just started opboe as her second instrument and although she is doing well so far it is a tough one. She certainly would n't have time for a third.

notanidea · 20/09/2009 23:20

Mine does piano and cello -she is in year 4 and wants to start another but I cannot afford the third instrument and also it will be really tough on her as well.She has just changed school so we will let her settle downin her new school and may be send her to school choir next term and learn to sing.

Original poster

marialuisa · 21/09/2009 10:36

Thanks for the replies. She got on really well with the oboe for the term she played but it's fitting in practise that bothers me. She does about 20 mins on each instrument at the moment but I suspect that will go up as she heads towards grade 5 next year? DH is firmly against but if it were left to him she probably wouldn't even go to Brownies so I'm never very sure when his view is reasonable IYSWIM . She already goes to choir and orchestra in school and an ensemble outside so she's not short of musical activities but she still seems to want more!

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notanidea · 21/09/2009 11:58

marialuisa- just out of interest how long and what other instruments does she play?-I thought you cant start oboe before they have all their permanent teeth.My DH would do the same as he is not keen on the ferrying around needed for these activities.

LadyMuck · 21/09/2009 12:04

Do you have an idea about which secondary school she will go to? It may be worth an informal chat with head of music there to see what they think?

DH did 3 at this age - he did his practice first thing in the morning leaving afterschool time relatively free. Would she be learning at school or outside of school? The dcs school policy is that if you learn 2 or more instruments at school then the lessons are at fixed times (lunch or immediately after school) so that you do not miss lessons.

Original poster

marialuisa · 21/09/2009 14:36

She learns violin and harp (3 years and 2 years respectively) and has the option of doing Grade 4 on both this year (she's not into exams). I had thought the same about teeth and oboe but she was assessed as suitable and her arms are ok too.

Her school is part of a foundation and the music school serves the senior schools as well so talking to them is a good idea. I know they will be reluctant to jeopardise her violin playing though! At the moment one instrument is in school and the other is outside, oboe could be either. Unfortunately we're already up horribly early for the school/work run so morning practise not an option. DD has said she'd practise in her lunchtimes but I don't think that's right as she needs time for friends and other activities (I also think the chancews of it being a lasting choice are very slim!)

I'm also wary because I played 3 instruments for quite a while but gave them all up by 14.

OP posts:

Hulababy · 21/09/2009 14:42

Only if you include the recorder, which 7y DD starts learning in school music lessons next week.

She has been learning the piano since January. We take this pretty slowly and gently, not in any rush to get through it.

And she started the violin last week.

notanidea · 21/09/2009 14:58

I am not musical and dd got a form from school last week and they all learn recorder or violin at school as part of music curriculum.I did say no to this but apparently all children has to do it so I gave her 5 pounds to buy the recorder last week. I dont know any senior children doing recorder, it is not in orchestra or separate music written(cant remember seeing one in music shops) so what is the use? Again I am not a musical person.

notanidea · 21/09/2009 15:02

BTW Marialuasa - how nice that she likes and does so well in her choosen instruments.Good luck for her.

snorkie · 21/09/2009 16:16

She is clearly very talented to be doing so well so young. Several of my dcs friends who are very musical play 3 instruments and take it in their stride - they mostly started their 3rd between years 4 and 6 as I recall and all like your dd were very talented. They seem to fit the practice in somehow, if a child really wants to then they seem to manage somehow. Ds wanted to start a third in year 6, but we thought it was too much so he didn't. He does a lot of sport though to a high standard which also takes lots of time so it was the right decision. (In fact he does sort of play 3 instruments as he dabbles in harpsichord, but I don't really count that as different to piano). Generally I'd say that she'll have more time now than later on, could be worth a try, but it is a big commitment.

LadyMuck · 21/09/2009 16:42

Horribly early is relative - ds1 has to be at school by 6:55 for practice on some mornings. But if you are trying to fit in activities, homework and 3 instruments after school then I think it will eventually be too much.

That said I don't see taking an instrument for a few years as a particular disadvantage.

Original poster

marialuisa · 21/09/2009 18:31

Thanks for the comments. I don't think she's particularly talented (she's murdering a mazurka as I type) but she does love it. She's starting to take more interest in sport, especially hockey and although I doubt she'll be like your son Snorkle, it does seem better to have a spread of interests.

Ladymuck-she's up at 6.30am already and there's no way it's getting any earlier, she's only 8 (and I couldn't manage it)! She has suggested staying up later to fit everything in and still have play time .

I have said to DD that I'll talk to her school music teacher at parents' evening in November.

OP posts:

annasmami · 27/09/2009 10:46

marialuisa, as your dd seems very musical and enjoys practicing, I'd agree with snorkie in that she will find time fit it all in.

My dd (7) has been playing the piano for just over a year and has just started the violin. She loves both and seems to find time to practice, even if it's just for a few minutes before school and/or in the evening. If they really enjoy an activity, they'll want to make time for it.

On the other hand, I also realise that this means she has less time for other activities after school and it probably means that she's unlikely to join some of the school's sports teams... but I think the most important thing is that they enjoy whatever they do!

ZZZenAgain · 28/09/2009 10:05

if she loves music, maybe she'd enjoy some type of dance. My dd really didn't get on with ballet at all but yours might - or some other type of dance. perhaps that could be done on a Saturday morning. Or indeed some other type of physical activity - swimming or a team sport.

I find it hard to imagine us fitting in lessons and practice for another 2 instruments tbh. I am feeling a bit faint just at introducing a second instrument. It's so nice she has found something she enjoys so early though. Have you considered just doing more of the 2 instruments she already has?

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