Hey
I play the oboe and I'm grade 5, and because I'm doing GCSE music and heading towards being a music teacher, I want to take up more instruments that I would enjoy. For this Christmas I'm getting singing lessons and piano lessons and I'm just wondering whether it's safe to take up more or whether I will out-do myself too easily because I do something every single day of the week except for Sunday, so it might tire me out. But I just want to do something I enjoy!

piano would be a good one because lots of music colleges need you to have at least grade 5 on a keyboard instrument.

Does jazz piano as the 2nd instrument count? Does this compulsory keyboard requirement apply in Europe, say, in countries like Russia, Germany and Austria?

When you say you want to be a music teacher, is that a classroom music teacher or an instrumental teacher? FOr either piano would be VERY benificial. If you wanted to be an instrumental teacher, being an oboist, you would need to be able to do flute clarinet and sax really as well, so one fo those would be a good option. Talk to your teacher though, as it may disturb your embouchure too much at the mo. My flute teacher always told me that I could take up clarinet and sax after I'd done my grade 8, when I was more established and able to seperate what I had to do for the different instruments.

I would think about how good you are at time management and also how much you actually love the instruments you are plannig on learning as that helps.
If time will be a problem and/or you are taking up other instruments just because you think it will be a good idea then maybe you are better just excelling at one (or 2) than being mediocre at several?

Exactly what I would say...

I think piano is one of the most useful instruments to have as a teacher... you'll frequently have to accompany students and it's very useful to be able to play the piano if you want to be a classroom teacher too.

On the other hand, if it's going to be putting strain it might not be worth it... are there any other commitments you are prepared to give up in expence of your singing/piano lessons? Do you want to do both piano/voice or would you be happy with one?

you should really take some piano lessons coz it's really useful and also learn a string instrument so you can know how to play instrument in keyboard , wind and string. I play 4 different insturments because i love it but there's times where you can't find anytime to practise so time management its really important. Good luck

Thanks people! Yeah I wanna take up both voice and piano and I think I could find time, cause we've just finished our school production which should give me plenty of free time

Hey Stephie!

I play oboe too, i've been learning for nearly 4 years and i'll probably do grade 7 next year. I think the best instrument for you to pick up is piano, because it helps you understand the basics of music better.... i've been learning piano for nearly 10 years and it's been soo helpful for oboe!! Also i do think it would be silly to take up another wind instrument, especially a woodwind one, because it will probably ruin your embouchure (did i spell that right?! ) i'm not allowed to learn any other wind instruments because my oboe teacher wont let me

i really want to learn voice too, but i'm too busy you're so lucky that you're allowed to learn more instruments!! anyway good luck with whichever instrument you decide to pick up and let us all know what you choose!

luv musicmouse

PS which school production did you do?

Man, thats harsh! You should be allowed to take it up, if you have the time ...?



You would ask that!!

But Stephie, What production was it...?

Lol thanks guys =D =D It was the Little Shop of Horrors and it was so fun... it's so sad that it's all over! But it's gonig on sale in our school on DVD which should be good !

I think that you should take up new instruments but only if you have the time to practise them properly. Don't do what I'm doing and dig yourself into a hole by doing too much.... I can't repeat how important it is to have enough time to do everything plus a bit of 'me time'.... I've made myself ill before from trying to do too much and it's not very good.

Piano is very useful whether you are going to become a classroom music teacher or an instrumental teacher. If you are going to become an instrumental teacher then playing another woodwind instrument would be useful.

hope this helps (although it's not very cheerful!)

Emma