<p>I have been an avid "doubler" for many years now. Through middle school I was on Oboe and mallet percussion and then entering high school I have played a plethora instruments. I currently play Tenor Sax, Bass Clarinet, Flute, and Euphonium. Each for different things. Tenor Sax for Wind Ensemble/Jazz, Bass Clarinet for Youth Symphony, Flute for Jazz and Youth Symphony and Euphonium for marching band. I auditioned on my "principle instrument" (Tenor Saxophone) for the college of my choice and got accepted. Does this mean that throughout college that I can only play this instrument. Don't get me wrong I love my saxophone, but I love my other's as well. I would continue to make Saxophone my "primary instrument" but I would really like to keep at least Euphonium for marching and would like to bring it into concert setting as well. I'm not going to a conservatory but I got accepted to large SEC school. Is there a way normally to get lessons on a secondary instrument? I don't want to make one professor "angry" or be kicked out of the studio because I'm practicing another instrument at the same time. </p>
<p>A plethora might be hard to manage, but many students do secondary study on another instrument. You may have to pay extra for the secondary lessons, though. As to whether your professor is annoyed, it’s really up to the individual.</p>
<p>BTW, I’m planing on being a MusEd major, not Performance.</p>
<p>I think that makes a difference–being able to play multiple instruments is certainly a plus in Music Ed. </p>
<p>Hi JDC, my daughter is also a “doubler”, and is currently a freshman at Peabody Conservatory studying saxophone performance. She was also admitted on oboe as a performance major. What you say about a teacher getting “angry” about playing other instruments sounds very familiar! As you know, most saxophonists who want to make a living out of music do learn most of the other woodwinds; it’s impressive that you play others as well. </p>
<p>I highly recommend you vet the teachers before you accept anywhere. Some teachers are fine with students playing other instruments–this is a big reason why my daughter is at Peabody. Some teachers, especially the oboe teachers, are completely against this concept. I think you’ll find less resistance with the saxophone teachers. So make sure you don’t go to a school where the teachers will fight you on this.</p>
<p>As for lessons, you may need to pay a teacher or maybe a grad student for the lessons. Usually, the regular tuition does not cover a second set of lessons. Same with lessons on a third teacher.</p>
<p>My daughter had a lot trouble with a youth orchestra section director during high school when he found out she was playing bassoon in addition to oboe–she never told him she played saxophone and clarinet as well. It is better to avoid those kind of people (she did, the same guy directs the Wind Ensemble at a nearby large state university). Generally, it is the folks associated with the orchestra that have the biggest problem with this concept. So, besides vetting your primary sax teacher, also check with the clarinet department, the wind ensemble director, and anyplace you want to take lessons. The orchestra will probably be happy to have someone willing to play bass clarinet; just don’t say the word “saxophone” while at orchestra rehearsals.</p>
<p>I think it depends upon the school. My daughter is music ed and plays her main instrument (oboe/English horn) every day, but she has played her other instruments at other times. She did manage to get lessons on a second instrument (violin) for one semester but has not had the room in her schedule since. She plays her other instrument in a “youth band” (flute) and played flute/piccolo in the pep band. (Oboe is not a pep band instrument.) She also managed to sing in the concert choir for a semester. </p>
<p>My son is a piano/composition/music technology major at a different school. He plays the clarinet and sings in the “composers ensembles” but these are not considered serious performance ensembles.</p>
<p>So, playing an instrument other than your main instrument is possible, but it is not always easy. You have to look for the opportunities. They will not be looking for you.</p>
<p>A music school we visited had the expectation that Music Ed majors would be grounded enough in at least one instrument in each music type (e.g., brass, strings, percussion, etc.) and people in this major would receive lessons along those lines. </p>