Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums General Discussion Music instrument suggestions

Hello all,

My 8 YO has been playing piano for the last three years, practicing every day and progressing well with her talented piano teacher. She performs once a year at recital. Apart from performing once a year for audience, she doesn't get many opportunities to perform. The school has talent show, but they decided to give performance chance to older grades (as there are many students playing piano)/ In our area, youth orchestra doesn't audition for piano as well.

Do you have any ideas of creating opportunities for her?

Should we add/switch to another instrument to get better chance to shine?

I think it really depends what your/her goals are- what do you mean by "shine?"

I don't know much about competitive piano, but I do know lots of kids around here play in competitions; some travel for it, some of these competitions have cash prizes, etc. It sounds like it could keep one quite busy if one chose that route. I expect your teacher would know more. (Have you asked the teacher's opinion, by the way?).

Some kids here accompany the choral groups/choirs in school. They also are sometimes asked to serve as accompanists for students performing in solo festivals and similar small performances. (However, this is generally at the middle school level, I don't know about students as young as your DD). You could also contact the school music department to see if there are students interested in working in a small ensemble. Our school jazz groups usually have a couple of piano students playing with them (here that is a pretty competitive position, though, through auditions). Some kids play, either through their private teachers or I believe through their own arrangements, in local bookstores, museums/galleries, nursing homes, etc. (I suspect some of these are arranged to fulfill some sort of community service requirements, but some are surely to gain performance experience). Also, I would look ahead in the school/community; she is only 8- will there be more opportunities she is interested in as she gets older?

I think adding a second instrument is wonderful; piano can make that second instrument much easier to learn, but again, it really depends on your DD's goals.

ETA- forgot to mention solo festivals- I think these opportunities vary a lot by region, so you may need to look around for information; here they are primarily run through the schools. These festivals are a great opportunity, and as they get older, most kids here are expected to participate if they are in the school music program. Basically, one prepares and plays a graded/leveled solo for a judge. The kids gets specific, written feedback, and usually a number grade as well (one can ask for ungraded evaluations, too). At older levels, some of these performances are used as auditions for regional performance groups (all state-type stuff).

Have you considered having her perform for those in a nursing home? What about a special song at Christmas if you worship somewhere?

Does she want to perform?

Does she want to try another instrument?

I think it is good to perform to get used to it (so she won't be as nervous later) and it is also good to try another instrument (when does band/orchestra start in your schools?) but also, she has plenty of time for that later.

I would also ask if she wants to perform more? If not, it's really not a big deal. Plenty of people enjoy playing piano just for themselves. If she wants more performances, I think the first thing is to talk to her teacher and see what opportunities she is aware of locally. Maybe the teacher can host more recitals if a number of her students want this; maybe there are local festivals or joint recitals by a few piano teachers; maybe your child can enter exams/competitions etc. Playing at nursing homes is a great ideas almost in any community. There are lots of opportunities if you explore.

Children's hospitals are good too

I agree with talking to her piano teacher. If the teacher is a member of your states Music Teacher's Association there are more opportunities. My DS6 has been playing for almost a year and is progressing rapidly. His teacher totally understands him (she's a very gifted musician and plays multiple instruments) and had him in his first competition this last winter (which he won his division ) and he will be doing a Piano Exam this weekend. I highly recommend the Piano Exam. He will be tested in a variety of areas in piano theory and has to play 3 pieces. It has been very hard! Your DD8 might enjoy the technical challenge! It's been amazing for my son who has not been challenged in school this year and he truly loves it! It's been very empowering for him.

Also, our state piano competition is based on age, not ability. This is why his teacher signed him up for the Piano Exam. There are no age restrictions so your daughter can compete at whatever level she is at. My son thinks this is very cool!

I also agree with a second instrument if she's interested. Or, get a keyboard and she can start a band with some friends! Does she like to perform? She could also try recording and writing her own music at home. My son loves to compose and we purchased an inexpensive recording device and he can now burn his own cd's. He's going to work on mixing in Garage Band this summer. Good luck!

Thank you all for great suggestions.

My DD8 likes to perform. When the school decided to accept only higher grades for talent show, she got upset a bit. That's why I am looking into opportunities for her. I will look into opportunities at nursing homes and children's hospital.

Solo festivals sound very interesting, I will do some research on that that. I hope we have it in WA.

As far as teacher, our teacher is an older teacher who teaches at her home. She doesn't do any Piano Exams. She suggested my daughter to try PAFE competition next year. She is a great teacher, but at some point, it might makes sense to move to a music school where there are Piano Exams and more chances to perform etc.

As far as goals, I would like her take advantage of her music skills when she applies for college. Playing at home and once a year at recital won't add much to her application especially when piano is a very common instrument. I might be overthinking here :-)

And one more thing about additional instrument. She is very social kid. I feel playing at a youth orchestra might be exciting for her. Piano is very competitive and not many opening in the orchestra for piano. In the long term, it might be again limiting.

Hi, Leyla,

You're definitely thinking about the right things. Piano is great, but it can be lonely. The piano competitions are great for developing skills, focusing, performing, and dealing with nerves, and a win always has resume value. But my dc (who has kept up with piano, including competitions) really enjoys playing an orchestra instrument too for the social aspect. There are also different musical conventions: there's less memorization, so it's less stressful on that front too.

Perhaps people have different suggestions for instruments, but here's our experience. Bassoon and French horn are always in demand, and oboe generally too. These are all hard instruments, but they're rewarding. Oboes are expensive (a good one is $11K new, $8K used). You won't have to spend that till your dc is serious, though. Oboe study at a high level requires reed-making (bassoon too), which is essentially a woodworking skill, very difficult.

Brass players generally are in demand in youth orchestras -- so not just French horn but trumpet, tuba, etc.

I am not sure where to find it but a friend of my daughter did chamber music groups for years. These were small groups of kids of varying ages that would practice together and then showcase them. The groups were all different groups of instruments. They were introduced to it from their music teacher so I have no idea where to look for this.

Do you have school or youth orchestra's, choirs or band in your area? As long as she isn't stressed for time adding another instrument or joining a choir can be a good way to add performance time. And probably be easier to find a group that performs often. How about summer camps? My son attended a jazz camp for a few years and they had pianists in their small groups. The camp was only for junior high kids and older though.

If you are really want your daughter to have something to put on collage apps she should look into the Piano Exams. (It's really young to really worry about college apps yet.) Maybe it's time to look at a different piano teacher? It sounds like you like her piano teacher, but if your daughter really wants to perform more perhaps she had grown out of this teacher and she isn't the best fit for her needs.