Klarinet Archive - Posting 000730.txt from 1995/06

From: Bob Kreisa <bkreisa@-----.EDU>
Subj: Re: Advice to new clarinetist
Date: Fri, 30 Jun 1995 17:12:30 -0400

Not to be nasty or anything, but why would someone intentionally take
private lessons with someone who didn't know how to play your instrument
that well? Additionally, around here a beginning band teacher not being
familiar with all the instruments is the exception, not the rule. I now
know for certain from others' messages that this is unusual.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Robert Kreisa
bkreisa@-----.edu

On Thu, 29 Jun 1995, Tom Izzo wrote:

> 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
>