Klarinet Archive - Posting 000254.txt from 1998/04

From: "y.d. romanec" <yromanec@-----.ca>
Subj: Re: lesson motivation
Date: Mon, 6 Apr 1998 23:00:07 -0400

Dan,

I'm not a professor, but I am a student majoring in "music ed" (because
that field interests me, not because I thought high school band was fun
and I didn't have any other interests. . .go fig). Don't worry - no
offense taken. :)
We are graded on technicality in our year-end jury (scales, speed, etc.),
but not necessarily graded that way in our lessons. We're graded on our
improvement and understanding of concepts. It's hard to tell sometimes if
a student is improving to his/her full potential if they're not very
motivated, but we're tested to our full potential by having recitals
during the year where we have to play solo for an audience. How can
anybody in their right mind not be motivated by the fear of making a
fool of him/herself in front of a large audience? Based on the
performance and preparation of these recitals, my prof can assess just how
well a student can play and how fast s/he can improve. I admit, there are
times in the academic year (few and far in between) where I have trouble
staying motivated, and this is what my prof suggests to me: hang around
with someone who is a practice freak. Pick up on some of their energy,
and use it to your advantage. If you hang around with a group of friends
who only practice the morning before their lesson and then put their
instrument away for the rest of the week, then you'll fall into that
groove. On the other hand, if you hang around with people who sometimes
cancel evening plans because they feel they haven't fulfilled their daily
practicing requirements, and you hear them play and you're envious of
their playing ability, then you will inevitably fall into that groove.
Just a thought. Good luck.

Yolanda Romanec

Don't be reckless with other peoples' hearts. Don't put up with
people who are reckless with yours.