Instrument choice for piano players

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's good to play a less common instrument, as there are more opportunities and it's often less competitive.

What are the less common instruments?

Clarinet, flute, and violin are the worst.

Trumpet, viola and saxophone aren't great, but better.

Trombone, cello and tuba are good.

French horn, oboe, bassoon, string bass, and euphonium are all great, but some are harder to play.

Not everything is about competition. Kids don’t normally select these less common instruments on their own. Some parents think it gives them edge over others during college admissions.

I know siblings that play oboe and euphonium. I don’t think it helped with college selection.. just a torture for them and our ears.

It can be more fun to be a valued, in-demand player, instead of one of many.

There are almost always too many violinists. My son plays viola in a school orchestra and a local youth symphony and enjoys being a player that people actually care to retain. He also was more likely to move up early to the higher-quality of the two in-school orchestras just because of less competition. Viola also has a lower-pitched sound, so early learning/practicing is more tolerable.

My sister played oboe in high school. For the challenge of it, as well as to escape constant seating challenges in the clarinet section. I enjoyed her practicing and playing.

Even without trying to be an exceptional musician, there are indeed benefits from playing a less common instrument in high school that have nothing to do with getting into college.

[Anonymous]

I was a piano player and here are the ways it worked out for me:

-I could read bass cleff so I was able to learn to play the bass clarinet. Tubas and baritone saxes are along the same lines.
-I played the pit instruments in marching band like xylophone because they are structured like a piano.
-In Jazz band, I played the piano in the rhythm section. Or, if there was no electric bassist that semester, played the string bass/electric bass lines on a vibraphone or keyboard.
-Became a drum major because I could look at a score and understand the treble cleff, bass cleff, and percussion rhythm scores.
-Sang 1st alto in chorus because I could read the score and use the piano to practice my harmonies. Those with no music reading experience will rely on their ear only.
-Often did accompianments on flute when a small ensemble was needed for a classical choral work. Again, being able to read a score and how my part fit into the choral part was key.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I was a piano player and here are the ways it worked out for me:

-I could read bass cleff so I was able to learn to play the bass clarinet. Tubas and baritone saxes are along the same lines.
-I played the pit instruments in marching band like xylophone because they are structured like a piano.
-In Jazz band, I played the piano in the rhythm section. Or, if there was no electric bassist that semester, played the string bass/electric bass lines on a vibraphone or keyboard.
-Became a drum major because I could look at a score and understand the treble cleff, bass cleff, and percussion rhythm scores.
-Sang 1st alto in chorus because I could read the score and use the piano to practice my harmonies. Those with no music reading experience will rely on their ear only.
-Often did accompianments on flute when a small ensemble was needed for a classical choral work. Again, being able to read a score and how my part fit into the choral part was key.

PP. I should add that the above happened in MS/HS. ES was all about learning the piano and flute.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's good to play a less common instrument, as there are more opportunities and it's often less competitive.

What are the less common instruments?

Clarinet, flute, and violin are the worst.

Trumpet, viola and saxophone aren't great, but better.

Trombone, cello and tuba are good.

French horn, oboe, bassoon, string bass, and euphonium are all great, but some are harder to play.

Not everything is about competition. Kids don’t normally select these less common instruments on their own. Some parents think it gives them edge over others during college admissions.

I know siblings that play oboe and euphonium. I don’t think it helped with college selection.. just a torture for them and our ears.

Not everything is about college. I had a ton of fun playing an instrument in different groups in middle and high school and know I would have had fewer opportunities if I'd played a common instrument. I'd encourage my kid to consider less common instruments because they may open up more opportunities if they indeed like music and want to play in MS and HS.

I didn't major in music in college so my instrument had no impact on college admissions or my career. But I absolutely loved the experience of playing in All State Orchestra. The feeling of playing incredible music with such impressive musicians was a very moving experience that I'll never forget.

I also absolutely love the sound of both oboe and euphonium. They are both pretty awesome instruments. Good picks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's good to play a less common instrument, as there are more opportunities and it's often less competitive.

Well, I guess if you want to compete for something. Some kids just like playing and learning and having music be a lifelong source of enjoyment.

It's not about competing, but about having opportunities to play in ensembles. Many groups have competitive auditions and, as an example, an average trombone player is going to have a lot more ensemble opportunities available to them than an average violinist.

How would the typical elementary age kid who wants to try a new instrument even know if they would ever want to be in an ensemble? You sound exhausting. If they get serious about it they can look into private lessons. Most kids just try it for a couple of years and quit.

If you were at all familiar with music, you'd know that choosing a less common instrument is actually about choosing a less competitive path. It's far chiller to play euphonium than to be one of many violinists.

[Anonymous]

Chorus!

[Anonymous]

Bassoon, tuba, oboe, French horn

[Anonymous]

Music teacher here— you really can’t go wrong with a school instrument choice. Viola is awesome, but it is the only one with a clef your child probably can’t read. The best instrument for your child is the one they like and will practice. However, I HIGHLY recommend chorus. Chorus trains the ear which only helps with all the other instruments. And, if your child is interested and able, they can express an interest in accompanying on piano.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's good to play a less common instrument, as there are more opportunities and it's often less competitive.

Well, I guess if you want to compete for something. Some kids just like playing and learning and having music be a lifelong source of enjoyment.

It's not about competing, but about having opportunities to play in ensembles. Many groups have competitive auditions and, as an example, an average trombone player is going to have a lot more ensemble opportunities available to them than an average violinist.

How would the typical elementary age kid who wants to try a new instrument even know if they would ever want to be in an ensemble? You sound exhausting. If they get serious about it they can look into private lessons. Most kids just try it for a couple of years and quit.

You are exhausting! Alare you just being contrarian for contrary's same?
If your kid doesn't want to play an instrument, don't torture them with an instrument. If they want to play an instrument, pay attention to the advice in this thread about diverse instruments being better.

FWIW--there are multiple respondents in this thread.

[Anonymous]

Our middle and high school offer piano. But not elementary.