Nigel H

My 8 year old for reasons that we've been unable to fathom has suddenly he wants to play the violin. He can do this through lessons at school. He'd have to buy a violin and we'd pay for the lessons but that's not an issue.

What worries we about this is that he's never shown any interest in doing this before; indeed when he went to recorder lessons he got bored and didn't want to do it. So my hunch is that this is his latest fad, he'll get bored with it after 3/4 weeks and we'll have a violin to flog on e-bay I'm not prepared to make him go through with it if he gets bored, it's not worth the grief.

But.....I don't want to discourage him. So any advice please? I'm tempted to draw up some rules that he will agree to before we do it, but I can't think of any reasonable consequences if he gives up.

DCI Gene Hunt

Name a famous violin player...

1. Sherlock Holmes
2. Nigel Kennedy
3. Vanessa Mae

Nuff said

what would scooby do

PeteBrant

I should think Nigel Kennedy would be more than enough to warn people of the dangers of letting your children play the violin.

I mean just look at his neck for ****s sake.

OllyK

If you think he'll get bored, wait a couple of months and see if he's got bored before he starts, if he's still interested then, pick up a second hand one and make him stick with it, letting kids give up when it gets a little tough isn't always the kindest way

Scoobydid

Our daughter took up the Flute so we rented one on a term by term basis for the first 6 months or so. I would think most music shops would do it, or speak to the teacher to see if they can help, they might have a scheme running.

My middle daughter is also 8 and has just started, she has just started plucking the strings to begin with, I have the ear defenders to hand for when the bow work starts

SJ_Skyline

My mother in law plays the viola.

It's like listening to a donkey being chainsawed in half

Kieran_Burns

iTrader: (1)

You can rent from Music schemes (such as Music for Schools - mind you they don't do string!) Or from a Music shop. A shop will allow you to rent for a period and if you choose to keep going then the money paid in rent is offset against the final cost.

My wife is a perapetetic music teacher and heavily involved in teaching in many schools mainly through MFSF - schemes such that are available all over the country

A quick search found this which might be of interest:

Essex County Council - Instrument hire scheme

Hope it helps!

David Lock

My lad's just started today teaching in schools (guitar) and, as said, the County offer a hire scheme so should be same where you are but otherwise do it through a shop. He seems a bit young to have taken a shine to some fit 8 year old who is also learning the violin - but you never know these days!!

I'd try and get him to stick it out for a term as I am sure it will get better and easier for him week by week. Don't forget the ear plugs for practice time dl

boxst

Hello

My daughter plays Violin. We hire one from the local council music department for £18 per term including insurance. The local music shop does it for £8.50 per month.

So there are various options until he decided whether or not he likes it.

To warn you, my daughter is actually quite good now but her practicing still sounds like a cat being castrated.

Steve

J4CKO

iTrader: (1)

We havent had a Violin but currently we have,

3 Guitars
Trumpet
Recorders
Electronic eyboard
and a honking great ancient ugly Piano.

Nearly ended up with a f*cking drum kit

Nobody can play anything, too many distractions.

I have got sick of paying for lessons, in future they can forget it, I have wasted so much money, they wont practice and avoid the lessons.

So bollocks to them !

CrisPDuk

You missed one


4. CrisPDuk

I started my lessons at 11 with a renter from the school, despite my parents thinking it was a fad I kept it up until I was 17, when other interests came to the fore
I can still play one 20 years later, but I'm a tad rusty

New_scooby_04

iTrader: (4)

Advice?

Get earplugs!!

Clarebabes

My daughter has been "playing" the cello for a year now and yesterday she came home with a clarinet!! At least I don't have to pay for it, but if it gets broken, I have to pay to repair it.

If she gave up, I would be annoyed, but there would be nothing I could do and I wouldn't be out of pocket. I find it difficult to get her to practice though, so perhaps a timetable to include that would be a good idea.

Iwan

Just be careful if you tell people you have a kiddie fiddler in the family.

Sorry.

scoob_babe

Violins are a LOT worse when played by beginners.

I'm sure all the parents sat with ear plugs in when the most junior section of our local orchestra played their mini concerts. You've heard of the phrase 'a a face only a mother could love' ? Same goes for the screeching a badly played violin makes - I know, I was guilty of it at that age although I did stick with it and viola till I was 16 (at which point Motley Crue was more interesting than Mozart!)

Our primary and comprehensive school had instruments that we could permanently borrow, providing we took music lessons through the school.

Nigel H

Thanks for the tips on the hire - think we'll try that one to start with. Had a look on ebay and its littered with violins for £25 quid 'son doesn't like etc. etc.' If he sticks out for a term then we'll buy one from there.

TBH I hope he jacks it in soon, don't like the thought of all that practicing at home

J4CKO

iTrader: (1)

Very good !

VoteConservative!

Of course he will get bored of it. Buy him a petrol R/C car that comes in bits and needs to be assembled by the customer. Some good bonding time there to be had with you and your son, and a hell of alot cheaper

ScoobyDoo555

The thing that seems to have been glossed over is the practice issue.

I teach keyboards/piano in my spare time, and I can't stress enough that the practice issue is a family-support thing. The family MUST encourage the "student" to practice - even in times where they don't want to.

IMHO, it's all too easy to say, "S0d it - can't be bothered". Nothing rewarding in life is given to you on a plate.

I have memories of my parents forcing me to practice, which at the time, like most kids, I wasn't exactly too chuffed about.

HOwever, I have now played for the last 30 years. My talent/skill has earnt me a pretty decent wage through related production/programming work, and session work on both Top 5 albums and live work.

None of this would have been possible without the moral (and financial!) support of my Mum & Dad. And for that, I will be eternally grateful.

My daughter has asked me to teach her, and I will gladly do so, but on the basis that she has to work at it.

Just my 2p

Dan

VoteConservative!

Or you can lay the foundations of your son being a great engineer by buying him a petrol RC subaru impreza. What would you rather have. A girly blouse musician who plays for some crap and overrated artist or a manly and well respected enginner.

What would you rather say?

"My son builds space ships"
"My son plays the violin for some poxy band"

The country needs engineers, and therefore the country needs YOU!

Nigel H

He already has 4 r/c cars

VoteConservative!

R/C plane then. One with a real jet engine that can do 300mph!

Or better yet get him a membership with the conservative party. They can never start too early!

vindaloo

Yehudi Menuin (sp)

To the OP, try asking your son why he wants to play. Don't discourage him but let him know it takes time and effort and patience and discipline. Maybe also buy him an electric guitar and a marshall stack... Not to play, but you could say he played it if anyone asks, rather than admit to the violin.

falkster

2 choices!

You can either let him play the violin and get him a barbie or get him a bass guitar and watch him kick ***!!

Nigel H

Vindaloo,

We asked him that (doesn't know!) and explained the effort required ('Yes OK Dad I'll do it')

Thing is, given his track record, I just can't see him following through with the practice. I don't want to discourage it 'cos it seems a good idea, but I just can't see it lasting for more than a few weeks.

OllyK

Well what do you know???
Netto

ScoobyDoo555

As I said, this is where you and the rest of the family have to support him.....

It really is that simple

Dan

j4ckos mate

get him a football

scoob_babe

Learning a musical instrument can also be good for a child though. Different skills, discipline with daily practice, linguistic skills - picking up Italian through all the music terms.