Klarinet Archive - Posting 000373.txt from 2000/06

From: "Joshua M. Coleman" <joshcole@-----.edu>
Subj: [kl] Thanks and stuff, was Re: [kl] Students in general
Date: Sun, 11 Jun 2000 16:22:03 -0400

A huge thank you for all the responses!!!

Perhaps my viewpoint on my original post was a bit cynical. In my
short career as a private instructor, I've had four students, and all but
one have had the problems I described. These three students came from the
same area as I did; though they did not attend all the same schools that I
attended, they all have had the same three basic problems -- very little
knowledge on advanced and alternate fingerings; problems with note
recognition (i.e. seeing a g2 and knowing immediately how to finger the
note); and little knowledge on breathing techniques. I can say that the
two students I taught while still in high school were very dedicated, and
one of them had already had several years of piano. The other practiced
1-2 hours a day from the beginning. Clearly, in these isolated cases, it
had a little something to do with the instructor.
Now before I continue, I want to say that I am not blaming
instructors entirely, nor was I trying to prtray that in my original post.
Most public school instructors I know of are very dedicated to their work,
and love helping everyone learn to enjoy music. I've had some very
outstanding public school teachers who taught that fundamentals were key,
and stressed those fundamentals everyday. My high school band director
taught individual sections the instrument-specific techniques that I
described above. In fact, though he played low brass proficiently, it
would not be uncommon to see him playing a horn or flute or sax, etc. (he
played the clarinet at a basketball game once when we were low on
numbers). As well, I do also realize that some students are forced into
lessons by their parents, and that some of these same students goof off in
music classes and band rehearsal or are absent, etc.
Now that I think about it, I really needed to ask my question in a
different manner. Ironically, through my first post and the many
responses to it, I can take bits and pieces and find the answer I was
really looking for.
Finally, I'd like to apologize if I unintentionally offended anyone.
I never intended to insult or degrade the public school teacher -- heck,
that's what I'm busting my chops and wallet to become @-----. Though I've
found the answers I was looking for, I'll gladly welcome any additional
input that anyone may have to offer me. That's what this list is for,
after all @-----.

Thanks again!

Joshua M. Coleman
Resident Clarinet Freak
Future Music Educator of America

"Why put off 'til tomorrow what you can put off 'til the day after that?"
-- Mark Twain

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