Klarinet Archive - Posting 000707.txt from 1995/06

From: "Lorne G. Buick" <lgbuick@-----.CA>
Subj: Re: Advice to a young clarinetist
Date: Thu, 29 Jun 1995 20:57:32 -0400

Dear Abby, Chad, et al:

It's reassuring (sort of) to see that this argument started (as almost all
of them do) with a misunderstanding. Obviously Abby meant that it was
unnecessary for a beginner to take private lessons _in addition to_ lessons
in a small group situation, provided by the school. Abby, one thing that's
almost sure to start an argument is to assume that your experience applies
to everybody. Having visited literally hundreds of schools all over the US
and Canada over the last ten years, I can assure you that it's quite rare
(and increasingly so) to find school music programs where students get
semi-private instruction like you describe. In fact, in many parts of
Canada in the last few years, all elementary school music programs have
been cut entirely, and the high school ones have less time during school
hours. In most cases, all the students get is the band class, with many
students playing many different instruments, and a teacher who only really
plays one or two of the instruments. He or she does not have enough time to
pay attention to individual students, and often has only had a few months
worth of lessons in a classroom situation on other instruments. Thus, most
of us who teach privately have had many students who have played for years
without ever having a lesson or coaching from a clarinet player (because
their band teacher was a brass player, pianist, etc.) and as a result have
all sorts of horrible habits. Even worse, because they play 1st chair and
have always gotten by, they get very upset when you suggest that they
really should touch the reed with their tongue instead of stopping the air
in the back of their throat (to use just one example).

>Due to all of the (negative) reaction to one of my postings, I feel I
>possibly mis-stated my point. Allow me to clarify. I was writing with
>the assumption that the 11 year old who posted about starting clarinet
>would be taking lessons at school.

[snip]

[from a previous message]

>Is there a rule that you can't get good beginning instruction from an
>elementary school band teacher? Later on, in JH, when the lessons are
>only for 10 minutes, I can see having private lessons (I DO have private
>lessons). But when the lessons are thirty minutes long, and you're not
>sure whether you like it or not, WHY do you need private lessons? Seems
>like a lot of money to spend when you can get good, free instruction at
>school. Especially if you discover you don't like the instrument!

>P.S.- One of my private lesson teachers is an elementary school band
>teacher, so obviously beginner band teachers are just as good as private
>ones!

This is another one of those generalizations that's sure to get you in
trouble. As I pointed out above, many band teachers only get a few lessons
on clarinet, and don't learn enough to teach it effectively even if they
had time, which in most school situations they don't.

I'm glad you had good experiences with your band/ clarinet teachers, I hope
you have more to come, and I wish everybody's experiences were as good!

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
LGB Lorne G Buick Draft III Music
lgbuick@-----.ca Wind Music
Arranging, Copying, Publishing
Have basset horn, will travel