As I have mentioned in my previous post, DD 9 does piano and cello. She recently won a small competition in the school - singing a song from barbie and the nutcracker java script:emoticon(':lol:',%20'smid_12') She wants to learn singing - My questions are 1. Is it too much to learn two instruments and singing 2. Is she young 3. How much practice she needs to do 4. There is a option of she joining a good choir( pros- free, singing with others, Cons- practical difficulty for us but may be we can manage)

What do you think I should do? Have parents evening today so can discuss it with her class teacher regarding either arranging for singing tuition( at school) or joining a choir

DH does not mind either of the choice as usual java script:emoticon(':D',%20'smid_5')

I'm not a singer or singing teacher but I would think about joining the choir if you can manage the practicalities and its not too much on top of the other instrumental lessons. Its a good way of developing musicianship, making music with other people, having to listen to different parts/voices, learning different types of music and sociable at the same time.

Sounds like she is talented. Make sure she takes all of the opportunities she has (in other words, I think doing piano, cello, and singing is fine)!!

My daughter started singing lessons when she was 7 as she was keen, the possibility arose, and I thought it would help with cello, which she was already learning. She added recorder lessons a couple of terms later and, eventually, clarinet and piano too. So yes it certainly is possible to manage 2 instruments and singing.

Singing practice has never seemed as onerous as that for her other instruments because of the lack of scales to learn! There's no instrument to get out and quite often no music either if it's already memorised. Singing practice can be done pretty much anywhere and anytime, though my daughter has always made time for "proper" practice too - maybe 30 mins 4 or 5 times a week running through the songs she is learning.

Choirs are great and she sings in 2 school and one out of school choirs, but they can be very demanding of time. It is not uncommon for my daughter's to suddenly spring extra rehearsals, extra long rehearsals and concerts on us. They should not be entered into lightly!!! And one choir tends to lead to another.....

What does your daughter think? I agree that choirs are a fantastic way to improve all-round musicianship, what with having to keep perfectly in time, getting the right rhythm and (probably when she gets a little bit older) learning to sight-sing. She sounds very musical, so if you can manage it, give it a try!