Klarinet Archive - Posting 000148.txt from 1997/07

From: "A.J. and Julie Arisco" <shado11@-----.net>
Subj: clarinet playing
Date: Sat, 5 Jul 1997 21:32:08 -0400

I respectfully acknowledge that both Roger and Neil have made good
points in response to Nick Yip's query regarding his frustration with
his stable of clarinet teachers. For the sake of the conservation of
e-space, I will refrain from snipping, cutting, pasting, etc. and leave
it to the readers to reread their respective posts.
I would like to say to Nick: You have had 4 teachers in five years?
Well, I certainly understand your confusion and frustration: I remember
when I was a highschooler at camp, studying with a well-known player who
shall remain anonymous, he taught that the horn (sorry to purists!)
should be held practically parellel to the body, with the least amount
of angle as possible. To me this was IMpossible, uncomfortable at best
and unproductive to say the least. But I tried it, rejected it, and now
with regards to my own students I can consider that maybe this worked
for one professional, and if I observe this position in a student, can
relate to this teacher's own posturing, physical and otherwise, and
coach the kid with a better understanding than if I had never tried it
or seen it utilized. But I do not consider my time under the tutelage of
this professional a waste of time, nor did I really find this a conflict
of information, only a different approach that worked for this guy,
another possibility to consider in my own playing that I DID try and
soon reject. And the BEST of what I gleaned from him was the thrill of
hearing him perform, with his flair for style and expression, and some
of the most engaging and interactive lessons I have ever enjoyed. The
man had personality plus, and seemed to truly care, and always made you
feel like you were special. THIS was important to me at that time, and
through the years, regardless of what I thought of his positioning, I
look back and smile at the hours spent with these lessons, and I
remember how I was enthralled with his playing of the saxophone as well
as the clarinet. This is only ONE example of the variety of instruction
I have recieved.
My point is, so you have had many teachers, make the most of it. I
missed the original post, so I do not know whether this number of
teachers, not so many actually, is by choice or whether it is a
reflection of the turnover at your school/community. Whatever, make
lemonade from this that you consider a liability. Each has something to
offer; not everyone is a good teacher and you may only learn what NOT
and HOW NOT to teach, but this is also invaluable. Do not think you only
need the perfect teacher and you will succeed, for your search for the
great guru may last a lifetime while you wither on the vine. I speak
from the experience of feeling as if I only needed the perfect teacher
and I would finally "get it", but now I know that you must have drive
from within and the ability to extract whatever crumb of information
from your instructors that they have to offer while you can. One remark
that devastated me as a college student, at the time, was when with a
new instructor, after playing a Rose etude, I waited for comments. None
were forthcoming immediately, and I asked "Well, how can I do this
better? What did I do wrong? What do you think?" and he said "What do
YOU think?" And in my youthful cocksureness, or else insecurity, used
this as a reason not to seriously study from then on, when I should have
instead used this as a beginning to a continuing dialogue of ideas.
Too many students blame their teachers for their own failings, for their
own lack of confidence, and do not take what is offered to them, which
is greater experience, the stories of success, the pathways of their own
learning, and so on. Four teachers? Great!! Get what you can from them,
TAKE from them, and go on to your own ways of playing that are
successful to YOU.
Respectfully submitted as only one viewpoint that is subject to the
slings and arrows of the list!!!
Julie

   
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