Any of your kids doing dual instrument?

[watmekiasu]

pokemon:

I understand that cello also come in diff sizes, is the smallest the 1/8 size? My boy only 125cm tall, would he be able to fit the smallest cello size? He very cute say cello better cos dun need to rest on the neck so would not feel the ache.

For height of 125cm, he should be able to use the 1/4 size cello. My dd is 132cm and she is already outgrowing the 1/4 size. Sizewise, for the cello, it is more flexible than the violin as the cello has an adjustable rod at the base.

[snowz]

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[pokemon]

watmekiasu:

For height of 125cm, he should be able to use the 1/4 size cello. My dd is 132cm and she is already outgrowing the 1/4 size. Sizewise, for the cello, it is more flexible than the violin as the cello has an adjustable rod at the base.

Thanks for your info. We always think he is too small to fit any cello.Do u kn how much does a beginner cello cost? incase my ds wants to switch in future. Currently he quite happy with his violin cls. Since theres a cello size for him, i do not know if i should switch him to cello where his initial interest lies. :?

[pokemon]

snowz:

Theory is the same for all instrument. However, you need to repeat aural section for the same grade for diff instrument in the prac exams. As both dd's violin & piano are above Gr5, teacher wants her to spend more time on her practice. She brings her cello back home from school. One thing good about cello is dd can play with band, string emsembles and Chinese orchestra for performance in the school.

Sorri, not sure if i hear his teacher correctly, is it 'oral' or 'aural' section need not repeat? In abrsm pract exam is there an 'oral' section?

[liliansim]

Hi, how to handle both instruments successfully? Any tips?


Also, any good violin teacher to recommend - patient & motivating (other than being technically competent)?

Thanks.

[watmekiasu]

Tried to reply to your pms but you're not taking any. :shock: Anyway, here's the jist of my pm :


It wasn't easy when dd was doing both piano and violin. I was very stressed cos it was like my dd didn't have a childhood at all. Her whole life then revolved around school, dance, piano and violin. Something had to give and I made her drop dance and piano. No regrets at all as I believe those lessons have enriched her. Even today, dd will sometimes go to the piano and play a tune, so all is not lost.

Currently, she is learning both violin and cello with ease as her lessons are alternated between the 2 instruments weekly eg week 1 and 3 - violin, week 2 and 4 - cello. Altho the progress is much slower, it suits us fine, so long as she enjoys learning, it is money well-spent. She practices on her own - again, this slows down the progress but at least I don't feel stressed listening to her mistakes and she doesn't get stressed by me, hahaha!

The only advice I can give you is to make sure the child is learning for enjoyment and not just for grades. That way, the love for music stays with them forever and it is worth much more than a piece of Grade 8 or Diploma Cert.

Her teacher is from Ricco Music at Toa Payoh. Very easy-going person. He doesn't seem to take many or any new students as his schedule is always packed.

[sharon1234]

My dd started piano at the age of 5 and violin at the age of 7. As it is, she likes violin as she picks it up very quickly due to her foundation from piano.


It would be hard if you start your child on both instruments at the same time. Also, I don’t let her take exam so far as I don’t want to kill her interest by drilling on the exam pieces all the time. Exam could come later.

[jce]

It’s easier to pick up a 2nd instrument if there’s a foundation (eg start piano first then a few yrs down the road pick up another). Piano is always a good place to start cos it sounds better than the other instruments even right at the start. Those who start with violin will find it easy to pick up the other string instruments at a later stage.

[luckystar]

[karmeleon]

jce:

It's easier to pick up a 2nd instrument if there's a foundation (eg start piano first then a few yrs down the road pick up another). Piano is always a good place to start cos it sounds better than the other instruments even right at the start. Those who start with violin will find it easy to pick up the other string instruments at a later stage.

Fr my observation, kids who start w violin 1st as opposed to piano, have much better intonation than vice versa