Rare Breeds: The Chimes Guide

The natural instinct may be to stick with what's familiar if you were lucky enough to be encouraged and supported to learn an instrument from an early age. This can be applicable to taking up an instrument as an adult, or choosing an instrument for a child. In many cases, the familiar will be a recorder, piano, guitar, singing or the violin. The instrument is often chosen by parents, school (sadly, much rarer nowadays).

However, making music is about so much more than this rather limited range of instruments allows. Though, of course, there is absolutely nothing inherently ‘wrong' with any of these instruments, there are also some ”rare breeds”. These instruments are less popular among learners, but therefore may lead to more ensemble and performance opportunities for the learner.

Choosing an instrument

Music, at its very best, is a shared experience. Some of the most valued and memorable experiences our staff have had are through making music with others. For example, singing in a choir, playing in a flute ensemble, string ensemble, band, wind orchestra, brass band, concert band or full symphony orchestra.

Many of these experiences would not have been possible, have been restricted or less satisfying if there was not a variety of instruments coming together. Imagine performing at the Proms in a choir, but the orchestra was replaced by a piano♭ Or playing in an orchestra, brass band, wind orchestra or string orchestra when there are no violas, double basses, clarinets or trombones♭

Of course, some instruments are more accessible than others. You don't need anything at all to join and sing in a choir other than your presence. Others are more challenging, either in terms of finding a teacher, an instrument or finances.

Who chooses an instrument

Parents, the School, the Child, Random choice or luck?

Parent

Whilst parental choice is important, it can be a double edged sword.

Parents may choose an instrument based on having learnt that instrument themselves in the past. Potentially, this can be a lovely bonding experience for both the child and parent, and means there is the possibility of passing on experience, which can be wonderful if learning an instrument was a positive parental experience.

While some children (and parents) welcome this, others want to avoid it - this may be if the parent had a bad experience or if the child is particularly independent-minded. Ultimately, the logistics of lessons and finances may be the deciding factor from a parental perspective.

Schools, Music Services or random luck

Where schools or music services are providing an opportunity to learn an instrument, ‘beggars can't be choosers' may be the dominant factor. This leaves little or no option for parents, let alone the child, to have any autonomy. This is where random choice or luck can be the difference between learning the trombone or the recorder.

The child

And finally, the child. Sadly (but understandably), this aspect is often overlooked when beginning to learn an instrument. Which instrument is chosen (and how) is often determined with absolutely no input from the child. This is often one of the reasons why a child may not practice. This is in spite of entreaties from a parent, having paid for lessons, sheet music, the instrument and organised logistics of getting to and from lessons with the child (perhaps with sibling(s) in tow!). Battling against ‘not practising' is wearisome for both parents and children, and frustrating for the teacher too.

Chimes has heard the phrase ‘the instrument chooses the child' meaning that sometimes, the size or physical playing of an instrument is beyond a particular child at the time of choosing an instrument.  For example, if a child's adult front teeth have not yet come through, they may not be ready to start playing certain woodwind instruments.

Personality

Ultimately, learning any instrument is not easy and requires discipline, hard work and commitment over a sustained period, from multiple parties: the parent, the child and the teacher. An uphill battle, so to speak. If a child has expressed an interest in a particular instrument (or instrumental family) it may be easier to go with that. All children are different. Some are delighted (or relieved!) to be part of a larger group. These children may welcome playing a stringed instrument as they feel part of ‘a team'. Others like the idea of ‘standing out from the crowd' - these children may welcome playing a more unusual instrument. For these children, one of the rare breeds listed below might suit!

Decision made

Reflecting on this, Chimes staff have been fortunate to have spoken to countless numbers of parents (and children and teachers!) at the start of their musical journey.

Chimes is fortunate to still have customers who came to rent their first instrument from Chimes, came back for their music (and accessories) over the years with their parents, then carried on with their music lessons either privately, at school or via one of the conservatoires. Some are now working in the music profession, still playing but working in another profession, or still studying. It has to be said that this is one of the best aspects of working at Chimes.

What is interesting is reminiscing (only somewhat tongue in cheek!) on memories of some of the snippets of conversations our staff have had with parents about the start of their child's musical journey over the years ♭

Double Bass

No.
What's that; is it a piece of furniture? I will need to get a new car! Where am I going to put it? I've got a bad back. My chiropractor is not going to be happy.

Harp

No.
Over my dead body.
Which I will be if I have to carry it around.
How many strings♭ Don't they spend their entire lives tuning, not playing♭

Trumpet/Trombone (or indeed any Brass instrument!)

No.
Too loud. What will the neighbours say!
Disgusting - they leak everywhere, don't they? What about my carpets?
Don't they spend most of their time in the pub?

Viola

What's a viola?
Why, What's wrong with learning the violin like everyone else?

Double Reed instruments (Oboe & Bassoon)

I can't rent from you♭ Forget it then. (NB: though we do rent oboes, we do not rent bassoons).
How much did you say an instrument costs?!
The instrument is expensive enough, now I have to buy a reed for nearly £20?

Rare breeds: Why choose one The Chimes Guide

Viola

Some instruments become the butt of every other musician's jokes - this is no reason NOT to take up the viola!

Violas are slightly bigger than a violin, with a deeper sound. Notable violists, present and past, include: Nobuko Imai, Laurence Power, William Primrose, and Karen Tuttle. John Cale of The Velvet Underground played an electric viola in some of the band's tracks, e.g. ″Venus in Furs″, and on his solo work. Many famous composers have also been violists, such as J.S. Bach, Ludwig van Beethoven, Rebecca Clarke, Paul Hindemith, and W.A. Mozart.

Some of the busiest and most popular (both musically and socially!) musicians Chimes knows are viola players. Almost any ensemble involving strings needs a viola player, whether concerning orchestral or chamber music. Opportunities to play are never hard to come by, which makes a difference in the competitive world we all live in now from school-age onwards.

Nowadays it is much easier to rent a ‘proper' viola, i.e. one that is not an adapted violin.

Fun fact: Did you know that the Germans have a word for musicians who started out on the viola, rather than learning the violin then converting♭ Edelbratschist.

Double Bass and Harp

These instruments (mainly for practical reasons in the case of Chimes) are best catered for by specialist retailers under the guidance of a teacher - who may indeed have rental instruments of their own. It is often the case where double bass/harp are offered that the institution - whether a school, music service, or junior conservatoire - has taken on board the cost of starting out. Therefore, some offer their own rental programme to support beginners and early learners. Of course, Chimes can help with sheet music and other musical needs common to all musicians, such as music stands, music theory books, etc. We also sell double bass rosin and other accessories including mutes.

Double bass

Also known as the upright bass, the acoustic bass, the bull fiddle, or simply the bass - is the largest and lowest-pitched string instrument in the standard symphony orchestra (although in rare occasions, more unusual and lower instruments such as the octobass are used!). The double bass is played with a bow (arco), by plucking the strings (pizzicato), or via a variety of extended techniques. In addition to orchestral music, the double bass is used in a range of other genres, such as jazz, blues, rock and roll, rockabilly, country music, bluegrass, tango, and folk music, making it one of the most versatile string instruments. Notable upright bass players include Giovanni Bottesini, Edgar Meyer, Charles Mingus, Chi-chi Nwanoku, and Esperanza Spalding.

Harp

This stringed instrument has individual strings running at an angle to its soundboard; the strings are plucked with the fingers. There are several varieties with differing numbers of strings, including lever harps (between 19 and 40 strings), pedal harps (usually 47 strings) and lap harps (22-27 strings). Harps have cultural significance in several countries, in particular Ireland and Wales. The harp is also a versatile instrument, used in not just classical music, but folk, pop, and jazz. Notable harpists include Alice Coltrane, Yolanda Kondonassis, Joanna Newsom, Amy Turk, and King David (!).

Any Brass Instrument

Much the same that is said about violists may also be said of brass players. If anything, the opportunities to play are even wider than for viola players: brass bands, concert bands, big bands, orchestras. The repertoire of so many different genres is stunning, with brass instruments often at the forefront - just think of almost any film soundtrack of recent years, let alone the highlights of the orchestral and jazz canons.

Within the brass family, the French horn is perhaps to be considered a rare breed amongst rare breeds. The French Horn is a brass instrument made of tubing wrapped into a coil with a flared bell. The most common variety is the double horn in F/B♭, although the descant and triple horn have become increasingly popular, and some hornists play multiple varieties. Notable French horn players include Dennis Brain, Stefan Dohr, Annemarie Federle (finalist in the BBC Young Musician of the Year 2020, and youngest Principal Horn of the Aurora Orchestra), Radovan Vlatkovic, and Sarah Willis.

In terms of cost, brass instruments are initially a little more expensive, but over time (particularly when it comes to buying an instrument) can be a cheaper option than stringed instruments, as they are factory made rather than preserved over generations. This means that investing in a high quality brass instrument when the time arises is usually substantially cheaper than the equivalent string instrument.

A final word

An increasing number of our customers in recent years have been adults returning to play an instrument, and not necessarily the one they learnt as a child.

Following Covid - during which people had time at home to engage with their music - many are working from home and, with the time and money saved on commuting, embarking upon returning to learning an instrument.

Others have sought out a renewed musical journey as part of their efforts to support their mental health. Playing a musical instrument is also a physical activity, so, if you are returning to playing after ‘a break' do please look after yourself - guidance on this can be found here.

Of course, there are many lapsed pianists (one of the, if not the most popular, instruments) who, returning to play as an adult, delight in choosing their own repertoire (instead of existing on a diet of scales, studies or whatever was needed for the grade they were undertaking as a child). But many others visit us at Chimes saying ‘I always wanted to learn to play the ♭ and never had the opportunity as a child.' Although Chimes does not rent instruments to those over 18, we are happy to answer any of your questions, or help however we can as you embark on your new musical endeavour.

Getting in touch

If you're after a specific instrument, please contact either Barbican or Kensington to enquire about stock availability. If you need an instrument urgently, or if you know which instrument you wish to rent or buy, please do call. Staff at either Barbican or Kensington will be happy to reserve an instrument for you. For more information about our rental scheme, click here. Details of some of the instruments we stock, click here.

If you have any questions, do please get in touch via email.

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Photocopies & downloads
Candidates should not perform from unauthorised photocopies (or other kinds of copies) or illegal downloads of copyright music in examinations. There are limited circumstances where can copies be used in an examination the UK. The MPA's Code of Fair Practice gives further guidance. Before making a copy an application should be made to the copyright holder and evidence of permission should be brought to the exam. Candidates and Applicants must act within the law with regard to copyright.