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Primary education

Join our Primary Education forum to discuss starting school and helping your child get the most out of it.

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Original poster

Am I silly being miffed that my DD wasn't offered music lessons?

59 replies

bringbackopalfruits · 02/11/2016 21:19

My DD is in year 2, and I've just found out that some of her class mates have been offered violin lessons. At the moment I don't know anything re: the criteria for who was offered, and will look into it. But, I'm just feeling very annoyed at the moment that lessons weren't offered to all.
Is this standard in schools, that some children would be picked out for this kind of activity? It'd be good to know how to approach this with the school (which I'm very keen to do but in a calm reasonable way!)

OP posts:

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Cakescakescakes · 02/11/2016 22:57

I'd be fairly sure there's and aptitude test involved to gauge a level of natural musical ability.

BackforGood · 02/11/2016 22:58

Let's be honest - we're all speculating really - the only way you are going to know is by going in and asking.

Blu · 02/11/2016 23:04

Banty: my DS has progressed from grade 2 to 6 on free music lessons provided in his state school.

Original poster

bringbackopalfruits · 02/11/2016 23:14

Thanks everyone. BackForGood you're right, it's all speculation, so I'll find out for myself. And of course we can go for private lessons if needed. I'm way too sensitive about this kind of thing, any perceived "injustice" to my child!

OP posts:

Undersmile · 02/11/2016 23:18

Now, now backforgood. Stop being the voice of reason!

BackforGood · 02/11/2016 23:20

Sorry

ErrolTheDragon · 02/11/2016 23:26

In the case of the violin where the notes aren't defined, some sort of aptitude test to see if the kid can pitch a note fairly accurately yet is doing you a favour. . For other instruments there might be some other criteria - eg flute some people simply can't get a squeak out of it.

Undersmile · 02/11/2016 23:28

Trust me, bringback, you've dodged a bullet with the violin...

Wisewisewords · 02/11/2016 23:42

Are the people saying there are free lessons UK? Thought they had finished years ago, sadly. The lessons at school aren't subsidised but can end up being cheaper than private because you have a shared lesson or a short lesson e.g. 15 mins whereas private lessons will often be for an hour. At school, usually you pay per term in advance. With school you can probably hire a violin too which is good if you don't know about violins.
If you can't get lessons at school, you could see if someone locally does group lessons or could do half hour lessons. If you need to buy a violin take advice from the teacher but you can buy beginner violins cheaply second hand on eBay. Google sizes for arm length and also google what are good brands. Check the bow is straight (need to loosen tension in the bow when not playing or it will warp the wood). Ask the teacher if they know anyone selling. If you know someone who knows how to do it, or you can find a YouTube tutorial and feel brave, ask a music shop to recommend some reasonable strings. It will sound better with fresh strings on and you can keep the old ones as spares. You will also need rosin to put on the bow or it will sound scratchy. If your DD is really interested, even a second hand violin would make a nice Christmas present, even if just to play and experiment with and see if the interest is really there. Cases can be bought new quite cheaply online if a second hand case is in poor condition. Hope she can learn if she wants to, it can be so enjoyable and fulfilling.

Wisewisewords · 02/11/2016 23:45

Ps. If you change the strings, do one at s time. If you take more than one off at a time it can all start to go horribly wrong and you'll end up with a pile of violin bits

AllPizzasGreatAndSmall · 02/11/2016 23:45

OP hasn't said the lessons are free.

In my school anyone can have instrument lessons from year 2, although not all instruments are available to the younger children. We have children learning recorder, violin, cello, flute, clarinet, saxophone, guitar, drums, trumpet and probably others I haven't remembered.
If they have got to a reasonable standard they can join the orchestra from year 3 although most don't until year 4 upwards.

Wisewisewords · 03/11/2016 00:07

And you can download apps that help you tune various instruments, play notes etc

Keeptrudging · 03/11/2016 00:18

My daughter got her first year of flute lessons free (Scotland) after an aptitude test. Her class got a letter home which they had to return if they were interested. Maybe you've missed a letter? Instruments offered depends on availability of teachers and which instruments they have to lend. My DD has made excellent progress just with school lessons, her teacher is great. She's now playing in junior orchestra and 2 different bands.

I am wondering if Banty is a private music instructor, given that he/she has just dismissed an entire (hard-working) sector of the teaching profession?

OvO · 03/11/2016 01:09

At my DC's school it's all brass instruments and the criteria seemed to be who was able to coax a note from it!

My strapping 6ft DH can't make more than a pathetic pfft sound so clearly my DS1 takes after me - I think folk streets away heard my attempt.

Lessons used to cost (though not for those on FSM) but this year they're free for everyone.

Though there's rules about it - if you get the lessons, once you reach a certain standard you MUST join the town brass band! It's in the contract we signed!

mouldycheesefan · 03/11/2016 08:20

Ask the school for clarification surely.
Kids come home with all sorts of tales.

TreehouseTales · 03/11/2016 08:23

Our primary school doesn't have an orchestra. Another downside of not living in a naice area I guess...

DoinItFine · 03/11/2016 08:27

I would presume there was some kind of aptitude test.

That's what happens in our school.

Just ask.

And maybe stop perceiving injustices against your child before you know what is going on.

Bluntness100 · 03/11/2016 08:38

If you want your child to do music lessons then just ask the school, I'm sure when a place becomes available they will enable it for you.

But be careful what you wish for, my daughter decided to do it at that age, total pain in the proverbial to lug it round with the rest of her gear , we rented it from the school and she had to practice at home, which was a bun fight every time as she didn't want to, plus it was shocking on the ears to have to supervise and listen.

Painful all round basically, be careful what you wish for...

TreehouseTales · 03/11/2016 08:42

We've said any available instrument except stringed instruments...

Blu · 03/11/2016 08:42

OP, the ONLY way to approach this is to ask. Just have a word with the teacher , say 'I understand that violin lessons are being made available, can you let me know the selection process?'

Your annoyance is premature until you have done this.

It could be ANYTHING. It might be half the class this half term, half next.

Have you looked at the school website and what they say about music tuition?

flupcake · 03/11/2016 12:32

TreehouseTales - our school has a variety of choirs and ensembles and last year formed an orchestra, and we most definitely don't live in a naice area! (outer London). However we do have a really fantastic music coordinator who is passionate about all children being given the opportunity to play music.

I strongly disagree with only children who have passed an aptitude test being allowed to learn an instrument. Yes there are some instruments like violin which are more difficult, but there are plenty of other instruments. For example african drums, ukelele, recorder are lots of fun and easier to learn for children who have less natural ability; or group music activities like choir or steel pans. There are so many benefits to music; it helps with maths, concentration, motor skills, working in a group etc and of course it is enjoyable! At our school we do have to pay for lessons but they are open to everyone, there are no tests. You just chat to the music coordinator and discuss which instrument would be best for your child.

So yes if I was the OP and had noticed that some of the children were being offered music lessons and my child hadn't, then I would definitely be speaking to the school about it. And if its down to aptitude, I would be asking what music opportunities are being given to those who are not learning the violin.

Autumnsky · 03/11/2016 13:32

I think OP should find out what's happened. If it is free, it should be offered to everyone, if it is not free, every children should be informed and has the chance to apply.
DS2's infant school offer free recorder lesson, letters were sent home, then you can decide if your DC want it or not. Now, DS2 is in y4, there are 2 types instrument lesson, one is outside tutor come to school, the fee is expensive but with small group of children. Then the free instrument lesson for eveyone, there are 4 instrument, DC can choose one. The lesson are for 20 children together, so I think it is just give children a chance to know an instrument, if DC want to continue next year, you have to pay, but quite cheap.

my2bundles · 03/11/2016 19:15

If a child is serious about learning it really is best to get private lessons. My son learns two instruments, 30 minute lessons learned n our own home and I can talk to the teacher about lessons. They are tailored to his taste in music , tailored to his level and most importantly fun. He did a few group guitar lessons in school and it was completely soul destroying and sucked the fun out of learning.

DoinItFine · 03/11/2016 19:41

Some schools offer free lessons to children who have shown an aptitude for music.

They can't offer free lessons to everyone, so they are targeted based on ability.

jamdonut · 03/11/2016 20:14

In our area Music lessons are offered to KS 2, never KS1.

Flute lessons are offered after checking the children's embouchure, as not everyone has the right shape for playing the flute. But violin and guitar is open to all. We used to have brass lessons too, but there is not a peripatetic teacher available now.
Maybe too many wanted to do it, and they're operating a 'waiting list' ?

Also free lessons are for children on free school meals...everyone else pays a subsidised termly amount.

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