Klarinet Archive - Posting 000709.txt from 1995/06

From: Tom Izzo <tji@-----.EDU>
Subj: Re: Advice to new clarinetist
Date: Thu, 29 Jun 1995 20:57:34 -0400

On Thu, 29 Jun 1995, Bob Kreisa wrote:

> 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!
Not neccessarily-sometimes that beginning band director may be a drummer,
and you want to start on bassoon or trombone-the basics that he/she had
in college, are enough to help him/her conduct a band but not
neccessarily to start a student on the instrument.

> ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
> > In a message dated 95-06-28 15:34:36 EDT, you write:
> >
> > >I don't think starting private lessons at 11-12 when you're just
> > >starting the instrument is wise. Why not try it and see if you like
> > >it
> > >first? If you find you don't like the clarinet (I don't see why you
> > >wouldn't, but to each his own....), then you don't feel so bad that
> > >you've spent your or your parents money taking lessons that you
> > >didn't
> > >like in addition to rentinguying an instrument. Or maybe I just
> > >feel
> > >guilty more easily than most. I also tend to think that private
> > >lessons
> > >make the already potentially stressful (and often frustrating)
> > >situation
> > >of learning an instrument more difficult, and pressureful. Why not
> > >wait......"
> >
> > I really disagree with this. Getting correct instruction when beginning to
> > play the clarinet (or any instrument, for that matter) will keep the student
> > from developing bad habits. This is especially important in embouchure
> > formation and hand position.. A bad embouchure can create so much
> > frustration, as well as bad sounds, squeaks, sore lips, etc., etc., that a
> > young student might easily be discouraged and quit. There are many teachers
> > out there willing to take beginners. Having a teacher does not mean stress
> > and pressure; it means getting the right start. I think the writer may have
> > had a bad experience early on. Lee Callet

Tom
tji@-----.edu