What is your opinion on the best musical instrument to encourage children to learn... I've heard too many stories of people learning an instrument and giving it up early due to the stress they felt. We'd never pressurise the kids (I hope!) but I'm also conscious that I never had the opportunity to learn an instrument and would love to know how to play one now!

Speaking as one of the generation of children who were actually given access to free music lessons at school, I would have to say- pick anything and everything that there is opportunity to do.

I started out with piano and violin lessons, but ended up in the National Youth Orchestra on viola, touring half a dozen countries and playing for the queen, but also singing in the county choir (learning to read music served me well), playing cello and tuba/bass sax/bass guitar in a multitude of groups and fiddle and mandolin in a ceilidh band, and passing grade 8 in 4 instruments and music theory.

My sister started in the same way and chose not to pursue playing in a serious way, but enjoys playing violin, piano, penny whistle and guitar for fun.

Whatever instrument they learn, they will learn to read music, and that will open many doors for them, and learning one instrument makes picking up another much easier if they decide to change from one to another.

Be warned though- it takes ages before you get to the stage where you can smile and listen to the playing at the same time!

Just avoid the bassoon.

I was railroaded in to learning an instrument at school and unfortunately the guy before me got the Oboe - a much more manageable piece of kit.

I got the bassoon. The darn thing was bigger thn I was and you needed a degree in plumbing to put it together. It came in an enormous case - I once left it on a bus, but it came back to me.

The teacher was not a pleasant fellow either; the only thing I would say is please make sure that they want to learn a musical instrument - otherwise it's hell.

The irony is I LOVE music! :)

Joe

I also benefitted from many years of free tuition at school from the weekly visit of the perepatetic ? music teacher. When I left school I paid him for some extra private lessons.
I played Baritone and Eb Tuba, and thoroughly enjoyed it. I also played in a couple of brass bands and a wind band after school, right into my mid 20s.

And at school I played in brass bands wind bands, jazz band and quartets etc.
During my years as a player in brass bands I played in the Albert hall, The Royal festival hall, Sheffield City hall, on TV for royalty, In loads of competitions and in loads of pubs, clubs and bandstands. I was involved with earning loads of money for charidee.

Playing an instrument for a school pupil is about being comfortable with what you do. I was always musical and jumped at the chance to play an instrument and to play in extra curricular and local brass bands too.
Brass banding is a very rewarding social activity and there are hundreds of bands around the UK of varying standards. It's something you can do all your life, although it can be quite intimidating if you are new to it and it helps to go with a friend. I am sure this is true for any type of orchestra or ensamble.

The years of training and concerts I put into at school has helped me later with playing in rock bands. I can play various instruments and sing and have been in loads of those bands too. I am self taught with Guitar and Bass guitar and keyboards, but the classical training and grounding I had when young has left me with a superior knowledge of theory of music and ability to entertain.

My advice for someone who is thinking of taking up an instrument is try a few instruments until you find something which you find easy to play, or you are desparite to play. As you get older you will find it quite straight forward to change between other instruments in various groups [ woodwind / strings / brass ] , but it is extremely advantageous to be very proficient in sight reading and performance on one instrument. And easy marks for a practical exam when you get to 16 if you have done it for 2-3 years at least.

I began lessons on the clarinet when I was about 9, and took to it instantly. Particularly for kids who've had a tootle on a recorder, it's not much of a step-up and is very rewarding as it's possible to improve hugely in the first year.

Leah xx

I tried to learn the cello but found I couldn't sit with my legs so wide apart for such a length of time.

I liked polishing my bow with the resin though!

I started on a violin but didn't take to it - it takes a long time to sound good on it if you know what I mean - I started learning to play the clarinet at secondary school after years of recorder club and loved it - went all the way to grade 8, made a recording with the Sandwell Youth Concert Band and had the opportunity to go on tour all over europe... Best of all I made some fantastic friends that I am lucky to still know today...

Best experience of my young life and I would definately recommend it!

Like most kids I started with the recorder but then started playing the flute from age 8. Ended up playing in orchestra's and wind bands until I left school at 18.

I loved playing the flute and really wish I still played it - typical 'I don't have the time anymore'! Although learning to read music is definitely a good thing and it gave me an appreciation of classical music.

I would go for a piano even though I'm a guitarist myself. Equally important is learning to read music and getting you ear trained. Once you start getting to a decent level other instuments are not to difficult to pick up.

guitar is a great instrument to learn-

simple to play simply, massive number of different styles, classical / folk / rock / blues / jazz etc etc,

it's portable, cheap to buy- you pay hundreds for a good guitar, but will have to pay thousands for a good piano or brass / woodwind instrument.

It's also quiet and inoffensive when learning, unlike a clarinet or violin!

good combo is guitar and piano.

JOhn

I think the drums are the best instrument. You can get stressed with them because they are a great stress relief. If i have had a busy day at work its great to just take all they frustration out and make alot of noise:thumbsup:

Can anyone give me any advice on learning to play the saxophone?
I can read music and used to play the recorder at school many years ago.
Is it an instrument you can take up as a more "mature" student?
I have always wanted to play the sax piece from Baker Street.

I have always wanted to play the sax piece from Baker Street

If you find a sax teacher, whatever you do don't say that, if he/she has a claw-hammer in easy reach....

Pete Lyons who is one of the tutors of the sheffield Jazz Workshop used to take students and is highly rated - not sure if he's taking people now, but plenty of tutors around

John

What's wrong with Baker Street?:?:

nothing wrong with Baker St, it's just that if you ask any sax tutor what is the request that is likely to make them self-immolate, it will be that tune.....

it's a "classic" way to wind up sax players.

John

Bagpipes! I gave it a try at a highland festival a couple of weeks ago and was quite impressed. You can always make money playing at weddings, funerals, parades, etc...

The only problem is the volume but if you don't care much for your neighbours... :D

Originally posted by Chicago
Bagpipes! I gave it a try at a highland festival a couple of weeks ago and was quite impressed. You can always make money playing at weddings, funerals, parades, etc...
:D

The way you make money is simple.
People will gladly pay you to GO AWAY with such an awful noise. :hihi: Bagpipes, whether you can play them properly or not, Always sound like you have just trod on the Cat.

Piano is good, its a very visable instrument. You can see which note is which and you just press it with your hands - simple, easy and obvious.

My Grandad once told me the best instrument to play was a big bass drum.

He said there was once this band who went to play for a arab prince. When they had finished the prince was so pleased by their music he took the to his vaults where he kept all his gems. He told themto go in and fill there instruments with diamonds and rubys etc.

Grandad reliably informed me at this point the the flute player was well p****d off.

"See son always remeber what your old Grandad say's....play the base drum and you'll not go wrong"

I cant play the drum but then I've never met a prince so Im not too worried.




ttfn

it's portable, cheap to buy- you pay hundreds for a good guitar, but will have to pay thousands for a good piano or brass / woodwind instrument.


Woodwind instruments don't have to be expensive - My parents bought my clarinet through a school purchase scheme and I think it was £180 quid or something - you can pick them up fairly cheaply on the second hand market... You don't have to pay megabucks until you get to grade 7 standard but to be honest I did my grade 8 on my cheap plastic clarinet and did just fine! Usually the school will loan an instrument for a year or so until you are sure your child wants to learn it long term...

Sounds like as long as we go with the kids on this one in terms of enthusiasm we'll be ok! Thanks for advice folks!

Originally posted by Floe
Can anyone give me any advice on learning to play the saxophone?
I can read music and used to play the recorder at school many years ago.
Is it an instrument you can take up as a more "mature" student?
I have always wanted to play the sax piece from Baker Street.
I've got a tenor sax, I always wanted to own one and learn to play it... at least I own one, can't say as much for the second part of the dream! I had some lessons with a guy up in Crosspool then was lucky enough to have a lesson with a musician called Snake Davis, amazing saxophonist. All I'd say is breathing and lung control seem to be key to the instrument and don't assume, like I did, that you can pick it up and start playing tunes within days!

penny whistle (tin whistle) gets my vote

they are cheap - a tenner with a beginners music book, a CD and the whistle.

anyone, with or without the ability to read music can be playing recognisable tunes within half an hour (ok, ok twinkle twinkle little star lol but its still a tune!)

forgot to mention - much easier to learn than a recorder as it only has 6 holes down the front

I try to play the alto sax and have two lessons a week.
One lesson with a school teacher and another with a jazz musician. It's dam hard.
I never learned to play anything at school because I was put off by the head of music, who I hope is now dead. One morning at school there was an anouncement in assembly that there were places to learn the violin, so I went round at lunch time to be told I wasn't clever enough. After that lost interest.
However I have always loved the sound a sax makes so I got one earlier this year and enjoy "playing" it. The main drawback is the huge sound level. It's not the thing to play in a built up area.

Guitar, akthough I should realy say piano as its the only one I can play, guitars are just cool, lol.

I think guitars are a good instrument to play but I'm hopeless at it so for now I'll say violin and Keyboard

Originally posted by FilthFan
I think guitars are a good instrument to play but I'm hopeless at it so for now I'll say violin and Keyboard

Yep, keyboeards are pretty cool and fairly easy to pick up too.

I started learning the cello at primary school (because there werent enough clarinets) and I always said that i didnt like it because it was so big, and uncool! however I carried on playing right up to last year when i got too pregnant to fit behind it. I have tried me hand (or mouth) at severl other instruments though and this is the only one that I really stuck with (which suggest maybe i do like it somewhre deep down!) It isnt hard to play, and you dont have to pass out from not breathing properly to get it right (trumpet etc..) just dont try playing it if you have a long way to carry it home!

I must be crazy!

My son starts trumpet lessons tomorrow!!!

Not one for a quiet life am I? lol! :loopy:

I learnt the clarinet at school and took to it really well. I think children should have a go at any instrument that they want to to find out which instrument best suits them.

I dont think there is any maximum age to learning an instrument. i think if you learn something then go for it

How about the voice?

You always have it with you, and it doesn't cost a lot. There are not enough schools that provide the opportunity for youngsters to experience the enjoyment of singing in a large group. It doesn't take much to teach children to sing relatively well. All you need is a good teacher with the enthusiasm and ability to guide them in the right direction. A little work at an early age can have really remarkable results ..... and it's FUN!!!

I’ve had 25yrs experience teaching woodwind and I admit I’m a little bias but
I will always recommend Woodwind. From a playing perspective, nothing’s more accessible than a saxophone. They look very complicated but all that mechanism is there to make life easier- not harder!

Don’t hesitate to get in contact if you still need assistance. Sheff 2303400
http://bluenoteinstruments.com

Bagpipes! I gave it a try at a highland festival a couple of weeks ago and was quite impressed. You can always make money playing at weddings, funerals, parades, etc...

The only problem is the volume but if you don't care much for your neighbours... :D




http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qWkhGen6MOA

What is your opinion on the best musical instrument to encourage children to learn... I've heard too many stories of people learning an instrument and giving it up early due to the stress they felt. We'd never pressurise the kids (I hope!) but I'm also conscious that I never had the opportunity to learn an instrument and would love to know how to play one now!

I would love to say guitar because that's what i play!, theres nothing like a bit of rhythm and blues.
But the guitar is not an easy instrument it takes a lot of work and calluses on the ends of your fretting fingers "it hurts until you get them", you can certainly get a bit of a tune in a short time and it's the only instrument worth playing if you like to play songs not just music "pianos are alright".
So for a start i'd start where i started on the recorder.