She's thinking about the upright bass so she could stay in orchestra (but orchestra teacher says 6th grade is too late to change).
I agree with others, this is absolutely nuts. In fact, my daughter's middle school band teacher has been actively encouraging some of the kids to switch instruments to fill in some needs. One of DD's good friends recently switched from clarinet to oboe and is coming up to speed quickly. Others have switched to baritone and tuba with similar positive results. My nephew switched from saxophone to bassoon when he started high school. As a junior, he is now playing bassoon with a university-level wind ensemble.
Maybe the teacher has another agenda, i.e. he/she only has one bass to lend out? I wouldn't let the teacher's comments hold your DD back from making a switch if that is what she wants to do.
