Be What You Are - Choosing The Right Instrument

My school motto was `Be what you are`. I never really paid attention to it whilst I was there, you don`t really think about the importance of such statements as a teenager, but after nearly 30 years of life with my cello and the various different directions that has taken me in I now finally understand what they were getting at.

I started learning the piano at the age of 5 after my parents realised I might have something of a musical gene. My father had never had the opportunity to learn as a youngster despite having the will and passion for it so I was given the chances he didn`t have. And I was always keen to tap away at it. Apparently I was considered to be a `good pianist` but I never felt it was the instrument for me. I felt incredibly frustrated because I couldn't do what I wanted to do on the piano and my stretch was too small for it. It still is. I can barely stretch an octave. It was a great musical grounding though, which I`d recommend to anyone with young children who are considering starting music lessons, especially if you have one in the house, but it often leads to another instrument. As a result of having 2 years `headstart` in music when it came to the primary school music test, that was obligatory in those days, I did pretty well. But for some reason it was assumed I had `perfect pitch` and for years afterwards I was told as much.

I don`t have perfect pitch. I have excellent relative pitch but I don`t have perfect pitch. It is a very rare gift and I have never professed to have it, but because I could sing and hear in tune it was assumed I had it. But not having it doesn`t mean you can`t play in tune, so if your child doesn`t have the gift it really doesnt matter. So long as they`re keen, that`s all that matters. Good pitch can be developed even if it`s not apparent at the start.

As a result of my music test result I was expected by my Head of Music at my primary school to take up the violin at the age of seven. My school only taught strings in those days so the choice was fairly limited. For some reason, which still baffles me to this day, one could learn the violin in your first year at primary school and then go on to the cello or something else after that. I thought the rule crackers then and I still do now! So I broke it! There was no way I was going learn an instrument I hated the sound of! I love the violin now obviously, I`d be lost as a cellist without them, but it wasn`t the instrument for me. I`m no violinist, but I AM a cellist. So I broke the mould and afterwards my school changed the rule so everyone could learn the instrument they wanted to. Hoorah! And it was obviously the right decision because I'm still playing and loving it 30 years later!

So when choosing an instrument for your children, remember if your child isn't getting on with a particular instrument, it doesn't necessarily mean they are not trying or that they're not the budding musicians you thought they were. But if the instrument doesn't suit them, then they will lose their initial enthusiasm. Because lets face it we all lose enthusiasm for things that don't suit us, at any age.

So take them to a 'Have a go session' at your local music centre or school if they offer them. Try a new instrument. There may well be an instrument there you'd never even thought of! And with a different instrument they may start to fly.

It is also important to remember the exam route is not for everyone. It is a great tool for progress and goal setting for students, but it is not suitable for everyone and just because other children are doing it, it doesn't necessarily mean it's right for your child. With a good teacher and the right instrument, music lessons can be just as richly rewarding with the same great progress, without the stress ofyet more exams in their lives.

So getting the instrument right the first time doesn`t always happen, but if your child loves music they`ll be an instrument out there that`s right for them. It`s just a matter of giving them a go!