Shall I discourage my 11 yr old son?

Question

He is wanting to begin playing the Clarinet in his (beginning) band class, however, I am afraid that being young and impressionable this might make his school life difficult, because I remember when I was in school it was more or less an only girl instrument similar to the flute. I do want him to be happy playing music even if it is the clarinet, however I don't want him to suffer because of it either?

I'm wondering if I should even make him aware of the possiblility that some negative feedback could arrise from his peers.

Answer 1

I was a flute player in a huge band. There was one guy flute player and 2 guys Clarinet players. Those guys were the best players and other kids did make fun of them but they stopped once they noticed that they were better than the rest. They told me that when other kids made fun was a way to motivate them to do better. It all depends on the type of personality your son has. You should encourage him in whatever decision he makes.

Answer 2

Let him know that there may be some grief given to him by the other kids, however, at the same time, get some CD's from the library of some extraordinary clarinet players and let his love of music decide where he wants to go with it.

There were several boys in my class who played the clarinet... some played the flute and so on...

Don't create a prejudice in him that doesn't need to be there... just let him know that there are narrow minded people out there.

Answer 3

Students today are alot more accepting about things than in the past couple of years. Regardless of what instrument he plays, he'll have social problems because some kids dont like "band geeks". There really isnt anything you can do or should do to discourage anything he wants to do because you are worried about him having a difficult school life. It is something every child should go through, sort of like a right of passage to adulthood one could say. The only thing you should do is be there for him when he does encounter these problems and help him to not get discouraged if he gets picked on.

Answer 4

I have a 6th grader in beginning band, too. The only boy-girl comment I've heard him mention is about the fact that the best trumpet players are the girls. I know there a several boy clarinet players in his band, some who are very athletic and popular.

I also taught in middle school for about a decade. I don't think it has the same stigma as when we were younger, at least not from what I've seen. If he's passionate about the clarinet, encourage him. :-)

Answer 5

"Peter Dewey Fountain, Jr. (born July 3, 1930) is a New Orleans clarinetist. According to a Belgian radio program ("La troisieme oreille", produced by Marc Danval)his name was originally Pierre de la Fontaine.


Pete Fountain was born in New Orleans and started playing clarinet heavily influenced by Irving Fazola. Early on he played with the bands of Monk Hazel and Al Hirt. With his long time friend, trumpeter George Girard, Fountain founded The Basin Street Six in 1950. After this band broke up 4 years later Fountain was hired to join the Lawrence Welk band, and became well known for the many solos he took on Welk's national television show, The Lawrence Welk Show. Fountain returned to New Orleans, played with The Dukes of Dixieland, then began leading bands under his own name, owning his own club in the French Quarter in the 1960s and 1970s. He later acquired "Pete Fountain's Jazz Club" at the Riverside Hilton (2 Poydras Street, New Orleans) where he still occasionally leads the band when not on tour.

Fountain's clarinet work is noted for his sweet fluid tone. He has recorded over 100 LPs and CDs under his own name, some in the Dixieland style, many others with only peripheral relevance to any type of jazz.

Fountain was a founder and is the most prominent member of The Half-Fast Walking Club, one of the best known marching Krewes that parades in New Orleans on Mardi Gras Day.

Loyola University New Orleans awarded Fountain an honorary degree in 2006."

http://www.cmt.com/artists/az/dodds_johnny/bio.jhtml

http://www.mp3.com/benny-goodman/artists/5631/similar.html


Now what do you think? Let the boy carry on with it! Great things may happen...:)

Answer 6

i would not discourage him if that is what he wants to do thats your son let him be happy there is no such thing as girl or boy instruments and you never discourage from a type of art and music is a great thing to keep your kids busy and yo should have been teaching him thathe should never listin to what others say that are young because they are just jealuous if he has a good heart and friendly and all peer pressure should not bother him but if his oqn mom believes in what others think then of cousrser he will have that problem it is nothing like theflute it is a woodwind instrument that i know many guys thet play and its his choice you dont ever disciourage your child from what they want to do.

Answer 7

Never,ever discourage a child,even if their choice isn't what we think it should be.There are quite a few male clarinet players in our high school band as well as girls who are playing the tuba and drums.If a child shows interest in music,they should be allowed to play whatever instrument they want.If they are allowed to play the instrument of their choice,they are more likely to continue with it.I've known too many children that were pressured into playing what their parents thought they should play,they lost interest very quickly.

Answer 8

If a child these days shows an interest in anything other than video games - encourage it!!!!!

So what if teasing ensues. Kids are kids. All kids are mean - it is just a passage of growing up. Tell your son that the ones who make fun of him are not his friends. If he decides on his own that he does not want to play anymore - then let him. If he wishes to continue, give him all the support you can.

He could become a great musician. For shame if you kill his hopes and dreams.

Answer 9

The clarinet is a girl's instrument? What are you talking about?
Let him express hisself and just relax. Kids poke fun at each other all the time, so getting a clarinet won't change matters.

Answer 10

That shouldn't even be an issue. Playing any instrument is a great idea for children. There's no need even bringing up what you perceive as the down side, the kids at his school probably don't think anything of it.