Klarinet Archive - Posting 001087.txt from 1997/10

From: Jim Lytthans <lytthans@-----.net>
Subj: School Music Teachers
Date: Sun, 26 Oct 1997 02:20:50 -0500

Regarding school music teacher training and expertise:

I agree with Roger Garrett's comments on what a good school music
teacher should be able to do. But "should" and "can" are really two
different things. When I left USC, I had gone through the regular
teacher training classes in woodwinds, strings, brass and percussion. I
had proficiency on, of course, the clarinets, some flute, and the
saxophones. But after a couple of month's teaching, I realized that my
skills on strings and brass left a lot to be desired, for I could "tell"
them what to do, but not "show" them. What I did was (1) take some
lessons on trumpet, flute and violin, and (2) call in friends who were
proficient on these instruments. They did some "master classes" for my
kids, which freed me up to wotk with the clarinets and saxes. Actually,
my violin playing reached the point where I could sit in on 2nd violin
in the local community orchestra, and not embarrass myself too badly.
Today, my best classes are the strings, for I learned right along with
the kids. In my day to day teaching, I tend to use a trumpet, not a
clarinet, as a demonstrating instrument. No reed to wet, and I sound
pretty good on that ax! Even used to play it occasionally on
polka/dance/lounge jobs years ago.

Really, whatever works for you, do it! So many of my colleagues quit
playing their instruments after college. This always bothered me, for
how can you teach music if you don't play it anymore? And what will you
do after retirement? My zwei pfenning's worth........
--

Jim Lytthans "Primo Arundo Donax!"
Principal Clarinet
La Mirada (CA) Symphony Orchestra
Claremont Symphonic Winds
(http://www.galcit.caltech.edu/~dooley/csw.html)
My home page:
http://home.pacbell.net/lytthans/index.html

   
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