Klarinet Archive - Posting 000133.txt from 2003/02

From: "Patricia A. Smith" <patricia@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [kl] some beginner questions (a tad long)
Date: Wed, 5 Feb 2003 23:51:48 -0500

Anthony Wakefield wrote:
> Rigel,
> You will only learn a little in here about the correct shapes and which
> muscles to use and control. There is too much in your post to be able to put
> it right thru` e-mail contact. I would strongly advise that you seek a good
> teacher, (if you don`t have one already). He/she will put you on the right
> path far quicker than what we can in here. It`s wonderful that you are
> engrossed in the clarinet. With this, and good guidance, you are sure to
> become a winner.

What Anthony says is entirely true. I would like to add that there are
teachers out there who gear their approach to teaching to the needs and
tastes of adult students. I personally enjoy teaching adults, because
it is a much different situation than teaching young people (though they
also have their joys as well). Adults not only have the obvious
advantage of WANTING to be in lessons, and (almost) never being forced
by someone else; they also have a broader base of experiences to draw
from when one has to be descriptive in lessons, or when one needs to go
into the abstract realms to explain concepts. And, of course, there is
often much less explaining, demonstration and reteaching of each concept
that needs to be done, since the majority of adults have better
attention spans than the younger folk. (Not that young folk do NOT have
the attention spans at all- adults focus in a much more intense way, and
can do so for longer periods of time without having to move away then
refocus on the task at hand, at least in my experience) Properly
approached and motivated, with good teaching, I think most adult
beginners learn faster than their juvenile counterparts, on the whole;
exceptions, of course, are out there.

I would look for a teacher by stating your needs, as far as times you
can meet, musical goals (do you want to eventually play in a group of
some sort, or at religious gatherings, or other public places? Are you
looking to gain enough skill so you can guide the education of your
kids? Do you like to play just for fun? What kind of music do you
like to play: classical, jazz, dixieland, klezmer, etc.? What composers
and writers?), amount you expect to pay - or ask what you will need to
budget for - and any other relevant details. Make sure you SPECIFICALLY
state, if you try going through a music store, that you want a person
who likes teaching adults. You may wish to meet the person before hand
to see how you feel about them, and whether you think you could work
with this person. Better finding out over a cup of coffee that it isn't
going to work, than after dropping a sizeable amount on a month's worth
of lessons. Also, some music stores now require you to pay the store,
not the teacher, and you may have to pay monthly. Some folks like this,
some don't. It is something to take into consideration, and what sort
of payment situation would best suit your needs. Some teachers will
want to sign a written contract for a month - six months at a time. You
may also check the local colleges and universities - clarinet majors
often LOVE to teach and get paid for it - it sure beats working at
Mickey D's! And some even teach through a special community outreach
program offered by their university. A school's music department or
school of music office is the place to call.

Another possibility would be to get lessons through a community college
- some do offer private instrumental lessons over each semester, usually
a half hour per week, and the price is paid just as you would any other
class. A certain number of lessons are stipulated per semester, and
there is sometimes a required jury exam (you play for the instructor and
one or two of his/her colleagues) for part of your grade. However, you
may even be able to pay and do this for audit as well, if you don't want
to take the jury exam. Since you are a beginner, this may not be
something to do now, but to keep in mind as you progress.

The idea is that, as an adult learner, you are in charge of the
parameters of your situation - and it is something you definitely want
to take advantage of. You don't have to put up with someone who doesn't
meet your needs, and who you don't enjoy being with. OTOH, don't rule
out lessons for several family member when your children get older -
sometimes teachers will give a discount for multiple family members (I
do - of course, as a mother of four kids, it's called practicing what I
preach! ;-) You may even find a teacher who is also desirous of
bartering some, if not all of your lessons for much needed services in
return, such as housecleaning, etc. or web page design, or a number of
other things. I may possibly be taking on an adult beginner soon in
exchage for cleaning my house. Guess who *I* think is getting the
better deal. However, if you decide on that, I'd get the barter
contract down in writing, so both of you feel you are trading value for
value, and no one comes back later saying the other is unfair.

However you decide to deal with your situation, I think you will find
the expense of lessons will be returned to you and quite a bit more with
the increased enjoyment of your playing.

Good luck, and let us know how you are getting on.

Kindest regards
Patricia Smith

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