Hi

I am having a problem. I would like to learn another instrument but I don't know how to ask my parents. I already have piano lessons once a week and have recently done my grade 6 exam. Some of the problems I am facing are the added costs that we would have to pay to have the lessons. I was thinking to help pay for the lessons to get a job.

The next problem would be choosing which instrument to learn. I was thinking something different to what I already learn. Nothing in the strings department because I have already had a go and decided that it wasn't for me. Woodwind sounds like a good area of music but then theres brass.

However, in the brass section the only instrument that I may decide to learn is the trumpet.

Could anyone help me in my decision and how to ask my parents.

Thanks

Piano Dude15

Have you thought about doing an award audition for the chance to receive free teaching for two yrs?
You have to be about gr.5 standard. You would probably get in as you are gr.6 on piano.
This way you can fund the teaching on another instrument without having to pay for your piano teaching aswell.

I'll say exactly the same as I said in the other thread

Just say that you want to start an instrument casualy.
I was very shy when I told my mum I wanted to start the oboe 8 months ago.


It depeds what music/tone of instrument you like realy

for woodwind:

Flute
about 3 octave range
Not too expencive for a begginer instrument
Not too difficult to start
need a lot of breath

Clarinet
3~4 octave range
a tiny bit expencive. not too much though
not too difficult to start
Don't know how much breath/puff needed for clari and sax
reed aren't expensive(about 1 pound per reed)and last a long time(a few months)

Sax
about 3 octave range
about same price as clari, if not more
similar technique to clarinet, but a more relaxed embouchure than clarinet
reeds aren't expencive(less than 2 pounds per reed)and last a long time(a few months)

Oboe
2 and a bit octave range
expencive
difficult to start
not that much breath, but a lot of air pressure
reeds are expencive (7~10 pounds per reed)and last a short time(2 months or so)

Bassoon
about 4 octave range
VERY expencive
a bit difficult to start i think
a lot of air pressure
reeds are expencive (8~10 puonds per reed)don't know how long there'll last


Don't let the price put you off. e.g If you REALY want to learn a expencive instrument like the oboe/bassoon because you like the sound, then GO FOR IT unless it's 100% impossible.(which it usualy isn't, because you can always borrow one from your county councill or school or something) If you're not sure you know the tone of an instrumet, listen to a CD, or search on youtube, and listen to a GOOD player playing the instrument. If youre serching on youtube, search for a concerto for that instrument. A concerto 'll be likely to be good.


And as someone said in the other thread, pick the instrument that motivates you.

I speak as a mother here...
if you tell your parents how much you would like to do this (so much that you would contribute to it with a part time job) they would probably do what they can to help you (I certainly would especially as it's something 'proper' you are asking for, not to blow money on drinks etc ), give it a go, you might get surprised. It could be that if they say no it's really just because they can't afford it, but having said that you could settle for one to two lessons a month on your new instrument (surely better than nothing at all) rather than weekly.
Not sure what instrument to suggest as I am 'string person' so I'll leave that to the others.
Jo

Wish I could make a reed last that long! Mine last 2-3 weeks max, but then I guess I play a lot!

my friend who playes the sax sais she playes with it 'till it goes mouldy

Thanks for all the advice.

I have narrowed it down to just two instruments. The oboe or the saxophone and I just need some help on deciding between these. For this I would like some in depth information on both instruments.

Such as how much the good ones cost new and the price for second hand ones. How much the sheet music costs? How much the lessons may cost? How much any other parts and features may cost?

Thanks for all the detailed infromation

Piano Dude15

Yeuch

Don't go purely on cost. There are so many other things to consider as well.

Think about the kind of music you would like to play - not just on your own, but with others as well. If there are loads of 'orchestral greats' that you would like to play, then you'd probably be better off on the oboe - whereas if you like wind band music and jazz, then you'd be better off on the saxophone.

These are incredibly stereotypical views, which I wouldn't normally stand by. However, if you're looking for groups to play with when you're just starting out, then you're going to be more limited for choice - and these are more likely to be your options.

As a pianist you may not have had much of an opportunity to play in groups, so you may find that that's something you want to do more of. Why not see what's around, and what you might like to take part in - and then see what would be best.

As a double reed player, I'm biased - and I'd say go for the oboe. But then I tend to like playing the instrument that the least people play. You're more likely to get work that way!

Listen to lots of recordings - see what jumps out at you more. If you can, TRY both instruments first before deciding. See if you can get a consultation lesson with a teacher - you might find it considerably easier and more comfortable playing one instrument over the other - and that will no doubt seriously affect your decision.

I've waffled again. Sorry.

I'd say learn the sax, but then I'm biased as it is my favourite instrument

what type of music do you like playing?