Klarinet Archive - Posting 000727.txt from 1995/06

From: Lisa Gartrell Yeo <ux403@-----.CA>
Subj: Re: Advice to a young clarinetist
Date: Fri, 30 Jun 1995 15:37:38 -0400

Abby,

Your situation at school is very unusual, at least compared with the
school system in Canada. Here you start in a band class with all
instruments; it is impossible for the teacher to help all the students
with their individual problems on the instruments. I have an
education degree and in my student teaching experience I have
witnessed some appalling things (such as a student playing the
clarinet with reversed hand positions, unnoticed by the
teacher).
In this kind of situation, private lessons are crucial for any serious
student to get a good start. From what you described, it sounds like you
have a great set-up that is economical for the student and
parents and yet provides a good beginner learning environment. I agree
that private lessons could wait for awhile.
However, I maintain that private lessons need not be too stressful
for young students. From my experience, most of the pressure often comes
from the parents rather than the teacher.
One final thought, you sound a trifle upset in the past few postings.
This list is known for its less than merciful criticism of others'
ideas. Don't take it personally; we just all love a good argument!
Keep contributing to the List,

Lisa Gartrell Yeo

>
>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. If she isn't, then by all means take
>private lessons! I agree that you need lessons when you're starting,
>where we disagree is where to get them from. I'm starting to think that
>my school district is more unique than I had thought. Here, when you
>start in 6th grade, at least this was how it was handled three years ago,
>you took a lesson with, at most, 2 other people that played the same
>instrument. The lessons were about a half an hour long. We played at
>least one or two exercises on our own so the teacher could see that we
>were progressing properly. We were reminded (those who had problems
>could have considered it nagging) of proper posture, hand position, etc.
>>From your messages this is more unusual than I thought. With this lesson
>style there's not much necessity for private lessons. Also, private
>teachers aren't easy to find around here.
>
>P.S.- I did not have a negative experience with a teacher early on, and
>if anyone else says I did, I'll be very upset!
>
>------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>Abby Kreisa
>bkreisa@-----.edu
>
>