Instrumental music in MS and HS

[Anonymous]

My DD currently plays the piano (a few years in) and is learning beginning violin in her ES. She wants to quit the piano, but I'm not sure if I should let her. I always hear adults say, "I used to play the (x), I wish my parents hadn't let me quit." I consider musical education to be part of her education, but it really is pulling teeth getting her to practice and go to her lessons. She has shown some interest in the guitar, and would probably enjoy taking private guitar lessons, at least at first. But if she quits piano, I would rather her start violin lessons because I'd like for her to be able to play in school orchestras or ensembles in MS and HS. Is this even realistic though (for her to be able to play in a school ensemble) or are those spots very competitive and only attainable for kids that have had private lessons since they were five? Also, are there ensembles/classes in MCPS middle schools and high schools where guitars can be played?

What do the more experienced parents think? Should I let her quit the piano? Should I make it conditional upon picking up a new instrument, and for those who value a classical musical education, is guitar an acceptable alternative? And are there opportunities to play it in school?

[Anonymous]

You should start private lesson for violin immediately. If she really hates piano now, tell her she may take a break during summer. A lot of kids started piano at young age but picked up an instrument to join orchestra or band in 4th grade. She will enjoy piano later when she gets better at violin. Find a different piano teacher for if youbreally want her to continue.

[Anonymous]

We let our kids quit piano after they started instrumental music in 4th grade. it was expensive, and I didn't want to keep paying for lessons if it was just making them and the piano teacher miserable. They were also having trouble practicing both instruments each day and still complete their homework. DH and I decided it was too much stress and misery. I took piano lessons for 9 years as a kid and the. Quit the lessons but played in my church choir all through high school. I'm in my 40s now and hardly play the piano.

[Anonymous]

13:33 here. I meant to add that you do not need private violin lessons on top of MoCo so netfumental music classes. As long as your child practices for the recommended amount of time it should be enough.

[Anonymous]

My child attends an MCPS middle school, and private music lessons are absolutely not a requirement to participate in band or orchestra (which are in-school classes). However,, probably only kids who are taking private lessons or practicing a lot on their own qualify for the smaller ensembles at school and/or all County band/orchestra.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My child attends an MCPS middle school, and private music lessons are absolutely not a requirement to participate in band or orchestra (which are in-school classes). However,, probably only kids who are taking private lessons or practicing a lot on their own qualify for the smaller ensembles at school and/or all County band/orchestra.

13:33 here again. My sixth grader participated in one of the bond bands and he doesn't take private lessons. I would guess one out of the ten kids from our MS takes private lessons.

[Anonymous]

My DC mentioned to me that their band teacher encoraged her to take private lesson but I ignored it. Although DC was talented according to her band teacher, she only played one year in HS. Other kids became much better than her because they all took private lessons. It all depends how far you want your child to go in music.

[Anonymous]

I'm a Suzuki violin parent, and I too believe music is simply part of the kid's education so they have to do it, just like they gave to do math. I think it is very hard to keep a child at piano, when the kid doesn't love it, for the long haul, given there is so little communal fun with piano, compared to all the orchestra/band instruments. From what I have seen, more piano kids quit when they hit MS and HS, despite being pretty good, compared to the other instruments that you can play more readily in group situations. While jazz bands usually have a pianist, that is just one kid. Personally, around here where it is so competitive, I would encourage her to do a wind instrument at this point, as people start that later than string instruments, unless she really likes violin. Also, it's so hard to sound good on violin for a long time, compared to piano and wind instruments. Whatever she chooses, I recommend private lessons, to learn good technique from the beginning. But she will be able to be in some group at school even without private lessons, just not the top ones depending on her school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My DD currently plays the piano (a few years in) and is learning beginning violin in her ES. She wants to quit the piano, but I'm not sure if I should let her. I always hear adults say, "I used to play the (x), I wish my parents hadn't let me quit." I consider musical education to be part of her education, but it really is pulling teeth getting her to practice and go to her lessons. She has shown some interest in the guitar, and would probably enjoy taking private guitar lessons, at least at first. But if she quits piano, I would rather her start violin lessons because I'd like for her to be able to play in school orchestras or ensembles in MS and HS. Is this even realistic though (for her to be able to play in a school ensemble) or are those spots very competitive and only attainable for kids that have had private lessons since they were five? Also, are there ensembles/classes in MCPS middle schools and high schools where guitars can be played?

What do the more experienced parents think? Should I let her quit the piano? Should I make it conditional upon picking up a new instrument, and for those who value a classical musical education, is guitar an acceptable alternative? And are there opportunities to play it in school?

Yes, you should let her quit the piano. What is the point of forcing a child to take piano? And no, you shouldn't make it conditional upon picking up a new instrument. The whole point of playing an instrument is enjoyment. If a person hates playing an instrument, there is no point.

(Have you also heard adults say, "My parents forced me to play the (x), I wish my parents had let me quit."? I have.)

-a musician

[Anonymous]

At our MS (Cabin John) pretty much everyone in band is taking private lessons several times a week. Its very competitive and cutthroat.

[Anonymous]

It's not required to take lessons, but it helps kids develop good form and keep up with the increasing difficulty of music over the years.

[Anonymous]

Can kids who have taken private violin lessons for a few years participate in instrumental music in grade 4 or is just for brand new beginners?

[Anonymous]

I agree that piano lacks that communal fun of band. My DD always felt left out of that. I would switch to another instrument in 4th with additional lessons if possible.

[Anonymous]

Guitar and piano can't be played in MS band unless there's a jazz ensemble.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Can kids who have taken private violin lessons for a few years participate in instrumental music in grade 4 or is just for brand new beginners?

Our elementary had two orchestras: beginner (mostly 4th graders) and advanced (mostly 5th graders). Those with previously experience could potentially start in advanced orchestra, though they might still be bored. (In MCPS, instrumental music is once a week for elementary , so it moves slowly. Middle school, with rehearsals every day, moves more quickly.) I'd talk to the teacher at the start of the school year to see what is feasible. It might be more fun to try out a different instrument and move at the same pace as everyone else, at least for elementary.