Klarinet Archive - Posting 000906.txt from 1997/12

From: DGross1226 <DGross1226@-----.com>
Subj: Re: lessons
Date: Sun, 21 Dec 1997 13:54:35 -0500

In a message dated 97-12-21 11:33:47 EST, Fred Jacobowitz wrote:

<< ...we take people at all levels. I am a generalist - not a specialist.
Obviously, this person is a specialist and doesn't want to be bothered with
beginners. Therefore, he is not the right person to be taking lessons with, no
matter how big his reputation. I strongly recommend your wife simply find a
generalist (such as me, e.g.) with a
good reputation (ask around - I'm SURE some players in the band can recommend
someone). >>

May I suggest another possibility. When I returned to the clarinet after a
31-year break, I had the great fortune to study with Franklin Sabin, a
"retired" professor of clarinet at Occidental College, and former principal
clarinet with the Pasadena Symphony. Rumor has it that he was also offered
the Boston Symphony Orchestra principal job in the early 1940s (he would have
been about the same age as Ricardo Morales) but his parents didn't want him to
leave Southern California.

Frank's studio had the entire range of students from young beginners, to
community players, to retreads like me, to seasoned pros who just needed an
understanding colleague to work with them on very specific technical and/or
interpretation issues. Frank was a contemporary of Kalman Bloch and godfather
to Kalman's daughter, Michele Zukowsky, co-principal clarinet with the LA
Phil. Many times Frank would tell about Michele simply stopping by the studio
to talk clarinet, test new musical ideas, and share their mutual love of the
instrument.

Lessons were a shear delight. No matter how well, or how poorly, prepared you
were for lesson, Frank always could find the good and praise it. Had I
"restarted" with a less understanding mentor, I doubt that 11 years later I'd
still be with the clarinet. The musical foundation he rebuilt has served me
very well indeed.

Because Frank has since formally retired for health reasons, once again I too
am facing the issue of needing lessons not only to maintain the level that I
reached with Frank, but to advance to the next level which may require a
"specialist." The key is to find a "teacher" in the best sense of the word.

Don Gross
La Canada, California