Klarinet Archive - Posting 000806.txt from 1997/07

From: "Ralph E. Grabowski" <ralph@-----.com>
Subj: clarinetist taking from a flutist
Date: Fri, 25 Jul 1997 15:50:37 -0400

I have been taking clarinet for 5 years, and have had 5 different teachers.
The last teacher I've been taking from has been by far the best teacher I
have ever had. I have been taking from him for a year but I have made more
than a year's worth of progress. He has really taught me how to look at
music with love and insight. The problem: He plays flute. I am his only
student who does not play the flute. (I will save you the boredom of
explaining how I got involved with him). Since he can't teach me things like
alternate fingerings, embouchure, tonguing, reed selection and adjustment,
and repertoire, I make a special effort to read articles on clarinet and go
to master-classes. I feel that as a result of this, I end up being even
more musically well rounded then my peers who take from clarinetists. Yet,
others still press upon me the importance of a teacher who actually plays the
clarinet.

Has anyone else here had similar experiences? What are your opinions on what
I should do?

Juliet
Ape@-----.net

PS: I should note, that despite his virtuosity, he does not charge that much
for lessons. If I were to get any other teacher (clarinet or no) of the same
caliber, I would have to end up spending 2-4 times as much on lessons.