Klarinet Archive - Posting 001020.txt from 1997/10

From: Roger Garrett <rgarrett@-----.edu>
Subj: Re: bad tone
Date: Sat, 25 Oct 1997 19:10:10 -0400

Sadly, there are many poor music educators out in the public
schools....and universities for that matter. The majority of students I
teach at the 6-9th grade level are first chair students who wish to retain
chair placement....but they come to me horribly set back in terms of sound
production. It takes a good two months or so to reset bad habits to good
habits and begin again. I just took another 7th grader this past week who
wanted to keep first chair. I advised her to voluntarilly step down to
fist chair second or third section for one month, with the stipulation
that she will be reinstated to first chair.....we need to fix her
embouchure/air/tonguing....and first chair will only hinder that process.
It is lucky that I have a track record in my community....they will
listen to me, but....she agreed, and, hopefully, so will the teacher.
Most teachers would not.

Roger Garrett

On Sat, 25 Oct 1997 NETSKE@-----.com wrote:

> Hello all!
>
> I have a problem with the bad tone message. If someone is a teacher of
> woodwinds, on any level, should'nt they know or find out how to solve the
> pupils problems on their instrument? If the teacher does not have a clue,
> how can the student improve? My son had a similar experience in school band.
> The "teacher" did not address the trouble he was having with his instrument
> and he became very frustrated with the entire musical experience. He gave it
> up for the school year and became re-interested in the summer. I decided to
> get him a private instructor and see if he could make better progress. It
> worked! My son found a new love for music and his instument and is
> progressing at a steady rate. I'm sure not all children would be affected
> the way he was, but it worked for him.
> I feel the "bad teacher" problem in some of our schools turns a lot of kids
> off to music and playing instruments. If a student does not know what levels
> of ability are out there, how can they ever aspire to play on a high level?
> Hiring a professional to teach can be very expensive, but a good school
> music teacher can guide them in the right direction initially. There will be
> a time when the student will need to study with a pro on their chosen
> instrument if they want to go beyond playing in community bands. The point
> I'm trying to make is that if you are a music teacher and you can not
> personally help the student, find someone who can. By not helping the
> student, you do exactly the opposite of what your job is supposed to do. A
> music teacher is supposed to help make musicians. Thank you.
>