Klarinet Archive - Posting 001369.txt from 1997/10

From: Fred Jacobowitz <fredj@-----.edu>
Subj: Re: your mail
Date: Wed, 29 Oct 1997 22:54:52 -0500

Erica,
A good college for clarinet majors is one which has a great
teacher. A strong orchestra program helps, of course, but ultimately,
your teacher should be the main factor. There are quite a few teachers
with big reputations and doubtless
you've heard of most of them. The way to decide is to see who their
students are and if you like the way those people play. However, the
ultimate deciding way is to take a lesson with them. Ask questions like,
"What do you want to correct/improve about my playing?" "What will we
work on for the first two years?" "Do you feel that I have the talent to
make it professionally?". These are very pointed questions and you have to
be ready for some surprising, and sometimes discouraging, answers. However
you should be able to see whether this person will be a good mentor.
Some teachers are renown for teaching technique; some for
tone production to the exclusion of many other facets; some for NOT
teaching musicality, etc. Be aware of these tendencies. As an example I
will cite Stanley Drucker. He is known to be better for advanced players
who already have their techniqe formed. He doesn't really work on tone but
he is fabulous for technical and musical insights on orchestral playing,
as well as a very exciting soloist. However, he has never been one to
teach someone with undeveloped technique (but plenty of raw talent).

Fred Jacobowitz
Clarinet/Sax Instructor, Peabody Preparatory

On Tue, 28 Oct 1997, Erica Adams wrote:

> I need some advice! I need to know the name of a good college for
> clarinet majors. Right now I am attending the University of Tennessee at
> Martin. I am a sophomore. The music department here is mostly geared to
> voice majors so I feel I am not getting what I need to excel in my
> playing.
>
> ERICA ADAMS
>
>