Hi

I am a totally non musical parent. My eldest has just turned 8 and plays the piano. Last summer he did grade one and passed with merit and he has just got his marks for Grade 3 which he sat a few weeks ago. He scored 140 and he is delighted and is throwing himself at the grade 4 pieces he has been given. He has always been able to accurately reproduce anything he has heard after a couple of listens, enjoys composing his own music and has what I believe is called perfect pitch. He also plays the recorder a little at school. His piano teacher tells me that she is thinking of putting him in for Grade 5 theory as apparently he has self read and understands enough to pass it comfortably.

As a tone deaf philistine who never displayed an iota of musical ability at any level, I am keen to encourage and support his interest but am unsure of how. Many of the resources available in our area for young people are, understandably aimed at those playing orchestral instruments. He has started playing the cornet but my question is: does anyone have suggestions for which orchestral instruments may best suit a very small 8 year old?

Thanks in advance for any feedback

Nick

I'm adult with no children - so maybe not the best person to advice, but....

Most instruments are OK for 8year olds or have small versions such as 1/2 size violins or trombones or C Clarinets, but I think the most important thing is to ensure he knows what is available - a lot of orchestras do special childrens concerts so he can see (and may be able to try) the instruments. If an instrument sparks interest in your son be it cornet or xylophone then thats the one I suggest you go with.
Also have a look at the BBC website - they used to have a guide to the orchestra with short recordings of the instruments which might be helpful.

(If money is tight and you want to guide him in that sense avoid the xylophone, bassoon and probably several others - you'll have to do some research on that one!)

Best of luck to you and your son.

P.S. Have you considered taking up an instrument yourself? this forum is full of non musicians that have given it a go and really loved it.

My aunt and uncle did this. Their children wanted to learn so they all went along to the music centre together. Think initially they all attended the same class (recorders) before the adults moved into a different one the following year (beginners keyboard) and th egirls went down the woodwind route.

Ask locally for advice as your child will definitely do best with a good teacher who is experienced in bringing on younger musical children. Talk to your child's piano teacher as they will probably have good local knowledge. Another excellent source of advice could be a good, well regarded big music shop if you have one in a town or city nearby as that will be where the good local teachers get their and their pupils' music. Whereabouts in the country are you?

Oxfordshire. I agree with the suggestions about taking up an instrument to share the experience with him...sadly my attempt at this didn't go down well as he didn't have the patience required to put up with my slow progress. Oh to be patronised by a 7 year old :-)

What does he want to play? There's no point in trying to persuade him to play something that doesn't interest him.

Liz

Sorry, can't help you with music shops or teachers, I am much further north. Perhaps someone else can help?

I don't think there's any need to rush to find another instrument for him. Why not take him to a few concerts? They needn't be expensive, professional ones; there are probably some amateur ones you could go to, just to let him see and hear the range of instruments. Or something like the Wantage festival might be worth a visit.

It sounds as if he's having a great time with his piano at the moment, and he'll need to do a fair few theory papers over the next few months. Why not let him set the pace and tell you when he'd like to learn another instrument? If he's keen on strings, then the sooner he starts the better, but for brass or woodwind it wouldn't hurt to wait a year or so.

He already has a second instrument - Recorder.

Why not investigate if your local Music Service have a Recorder ensemble that he could join. If he can teach himself theory then he can surely do the same with Recorder. As he's having lessons at school he will have a teacher so he can work ahead of the rest of the group.

Our Music Service offer some instruments on loan with free tuition. It's definately worth finding out what's in your area.

I agree with letting him choose what he would like to play.

I'm a nonmusical parent with a musical child who hasn't learnt to play an instrument it doesn't mean that I can't support her. Only learn an instrument if it's what you really want to do.

and a third, I think, as cornet was also mentioned, which will presumably lead to trumpet in time. If your son is enjoying these two, as well as piano, I'd be inclined to leave things as they are for now, and see how his interests and enthusiasms develop with time.

My 11 year old is trying to teach me the flute. But she thinks C is a good scale to start on, two octaves of course. We both have a lot to learn.
My daughter attends a Junior Conservatoire. You might want to think about that in due course.
Have fun.
Dora

The other day I said I quite fancied learning Irish fiddle. My daughter's reaction? "Mum, I think you're one of those people who should stick to listening to music, not playing it!". #### cheek!!

Hi Nick,

Isn't it wonderful when something like this comes out of your young child completely out of the blue?

As non musical parents (I can play a lot of instruments impressively badly!) we went through exactly the same as you with our son, who is now grade 6 clarinet at 9, though he finds the piano a lot harder, and even has no interest in any other woodwind - it's clarinet all the way for him!

Our local (Herts) music service has a jazz band and show band that make extensive use of keyboards and pianos, even using 2 in a group sometimes, which would be a good way of expanding his horizons while playing with a group, if there is something similar in your area.

If he carries on at the rate he's going, you could consider the junior departments of any of the London Conservatoires, Royal College of Music, Royal Academy or Guildhall. Our boy is at the RCM, and it's his best day of the week by far! It's a long day, for sure, but he has made many friends, and played 5 concerts in 2 terms to large audiences. The RCM offer trial days, though they are rather full for pianists at the moment, they will still take on anyone showing great musical potential - it's not so much about technical ability or exams there. Some people travel from half way across the country to get there - lots from Kent, some from Birnmingham, and one family from the north of Lincs!!

One of the biggest problems we had was persuading the local music service to let him play in an orchestra that matched his ability, not his age. When I first joined this forum, I ended up creating a very lively discussion topic regarding this subject, which obviously upset quite a lot of the teachers on here! While he enjoyed playing in the primay age junior orchestra, (grade 1-3) once he had his grade 5 they still wouldn't let him play in the senior orchestra (G3-5) or the ensembles. He really wanted more challenging pieces, and eventually they agreed to let him try out for a term, though they kept on citing "social aspects" and concerns that he wouldn't be able to mix with teenagers. Then he got into the RCM, goodbye music service, and was suddenly the youngest again! He has, however, made good friends with other children up to 18 in his ensemle and orchestra, and the older ones all help the little ones, just as it should be. He has even got a violinist friend who lives locally and occasionally comes over to play - I mean really, fraternising with the strings!!

The piano is very important if you want a career in music, though a very lonely life if you keep it as your main instrument. Also you end up having to play on whatever you find in the hall you are performing in, which can be very dispiriting at times, so I am told! The cornet / trumpet seems like a very good idea. If he has perfect pitch, playing a transposing instrument (trumpets are in Bb) could cause him some difficulties, though!

Very best of luck

Burl

He is making remarkably rapid progress for an eight year old. To have taught himself enough theory to be able to pass a grade five theory paper at the age of eight is very unusual. Please make sure that he has lots of fun from his piano playing apart from just working at exam pieces though. If he is a good reader of music it might be a good idea to take him down to the local music shop where he could look through some sheet music and choose some for himself.
The suggestion of taking him along to one of the junior departments at one of the London colleges is an excellent one if you are able to arrange it.

I'm a completely unmusical parent with a musical child, although I do love listening to music, but when I sing, I'm often asked very patiently by my daughter- 'Mum, what are you trying to sing'? and that's when I think that I'm sounding very good. Honestly these kids...!

I have often felt out of my depth as it was such as unfamiliar teritorry for me and it was a little scary but have tried to support my musical daughter as best as I can.

I think there's some good advise here already. I also suggest looking at one of the Junior Conservatoires if that works for you. My daughter goes to one and its the best day of the week for her.

Does he like jazz music? If so, maybe your local music service has a jazz band or something like that where he could play piano for them?

I would agree with a previous post about taking him to a variety of musical conerts of all genres and see which one appeals. I suggested my daughter's first instrument as a flute because i knew a really good teacher. My son had been exposed to bad teachers and so this seemed a good starting point. she willingly agreed and still plays flute but has since taken up another instrument as her first study instrument.