Why dont they have piano as an option? With the keyboards available nowadays, it doesn’t really make sense that it’s not an option in the school systems. Does anyone know why?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?

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

Xylophone, vibraphone, glockenspiel, bells, chimes

I realized my kid who played piano liked treble clef instruments where specific fingering produced the note--of these flute was the best fit for her because her mouth shape made reed based woodwinds (e.g. oboe/clarinet) a bit uncomfortable. Saxophone was second choice even though it was reed-based something about the shape/size felt more natural to her. There's sometimes a day when they offer an instrument "zoo" (I can't remember when/where it was offered now--and this was pre-pandemic so who knows if that's no longer a thing) where you go around and try out different instruments and kids can feel which feel right on their mouths, which are uncomfortable to hold because of weight or how you need to stretch your arms etc. Now that she's older she's added guitar to the mix.

Mine played viola.

My piano player chose chorus— Singing is a natural fit, and eventually he had the opportunity to play piano for chorus by accompanying them

My DD started on piano but loves clarinet. I don't think it's necessary to play an instrument that's "like" piano - piano is a good foundation for music reading and music theory.

The only thing is clarinet often doesn't get to play the melody part. Hopefully your band director picks balanced pieces.

I wouldn't do percussion unless you're planning on outside lessons. School band percussion is dull.

Percussion.

Would your DC like to play melody or harmony? A small or large instrument, these are questions of both sound including pitch and volume and also portability?

On the piano, playing a key plays the note. On a string instrument, you can play any note and aural training is important. If your DC didn't like strings, probably should not consider trombone which also can play any note. Other instruments are more like the piano where you play the correct fingering and the proper note comes out.

Any tips for a good FCPS instrument choice for an elementary school student with a few years of piano? I really wish there was a way to do piano at school but from what I can tell it’s not an option in fcps. Can any one advise what has worked well for their piano player as far as a school instrument? We tried strings briefly but it didn’t click. Thanks!