Klarinet Archive - Posting 000479.txt from 2002/12

From: "Sherwin" <surewin120@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [kl] problem
Date: Fri, 20 Dec 2002 00:03:52 -0500

Rebecca,

I couldn't imagine being stopped almost every measure. First of all, I
wonder about that. Phrasing is very important in music, and technicalities
are only a part of it. So, stopping you at every measure, I think is
rediculous. One thing that my teacher says is to play how you hear it. It's
hard to know what is in your teacher's head, unless he demonstrates.
Somethings are better understood through example than words. But if he
doesn't play clarinet, then what is he judging by?

My teacher used to play professionally, and he's very particular. I don't
always understand him either. So, I ask him to play what he's talking about,
to demonstrate, so I can understand. But, again, learning from someone who
doesn't even play clarinet, well, like Karl said, I too am curious as to
what he is playing. I know you just found out, but, personally, I wouldn't
take lessons from someone who doesn't play the same instrument as me.

As far as his words repeating through your head, block it out and tell
yourself, "Five professionals said I play very well, I WILL NOT listen to
the negativity of this teacher." If you don't do this, then when you
perform, you will (as I'm sure you already know) play like you perform.

Perhaps, it's good to share this with a loved one, and have them encourage
you. My husband does this when I feel negative about myself due to someone
else's harsh critique. It's like medicine to the soul. Personally, I also
read the Bible, which really brings up my spirit.

I hope this helps, and I wish you well.

Ruth Sherwin
surewin120@-----.net

----- Original Message -----
From: "Rebecca Brennan" <rjbrennan1221@-----.com>
Subject: [kl] problem

>
> Lately I have been getting vI need to rant and get a bit of advise.
>
> I have my regular private teacher that I went to and plan to go back to
> after the new year, but right now I am seeing another teacher because I
will
> not see my teacher until after my all-state audition because she only
> teaches the one day of the week that both the winter concert, snow,
> Christmas, New year, and everything else has seemed to fall on this month.
>
> On my all-state pieces I have has 5 professional opinons on it. My private
> teacher, my band director, an army band commander, and the clarinet
teacher
> from Marshall University who all say I do an excellent job at it. Then
there
> is that guy I have been going to. Every measure I play he stops and says
> something. To three of the people I just listed I cross the break very
> smoothly on the Rose study, but to this guy he says it sounds like I am
> chopping it to death. It could be that every time I have a lesson with
this
> guy that I have a nervous breakdown and cry my eyes out and can't play for
a
> day or so. I get very nervous around him and everything just goes blank
and
> it is like I forget everything I know because he was so harsh on me at the
> first lesson. He also puts down my private teacher who plays with the West
> Virginia Symphony and whom is a very good teacher. Then today I learn that
> he doesn't even play clarinet at all.
>
> ery winded after a few minutes of practice and I can't do it anymore. I
sit
> there and sulk because I CAN NOT practice. I don't know exactly what is
> wrong, but I constantly think of the comments I get from him. When I told
> him how I felt and that I didn't want to take lessons with him anymore he
> called me a baby.
>
> Does it sound like I am acting like a baby? I think in a way I am, but I
> really can't help it because I am so tore up over it. I have two weeks
until
> my audition and the last day of school is tomorrow, so this means that I
> will be on my own. Is this a wise of me? I really do think that I should
> stop, but what if I am just a baby? I did make it on my own with no
private
> instruction at all last year, would that make it safe this year?
>
> I don't know what to do! I try to talk to my band direcot about it but all
> he says is that it is because I am his best student and he tries to push
me
> by insulting me.
>
> -Rebecca
>
>
>
>
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