Klarinet Archive - Posting 000930.txt from 2004/07

From: Nancy Buckman <eefer@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [kl] Advice needed on young clarinet student wanting to
Date: Mon, 26 Jul 2004 20:36:47 -0400

At 07:46 PM 7/26/2004, you wrote: This 8 year old is simply a natural with
a great ear.
> This morning, she came to her lesson with an old Selmer Bundy saxophone
>
> Has anyone had an experience similar to this? Ideas please.
>Christy

Hi Christy,

My own daughter started violin at age eight. At age nine, she started
flute and piccolo in addition to the violin. At age ten, she wanted a
guitar (which is one of the few things I don't play), so we bought her a
guitar and put her in group guitar lessons. At age twelve she began
lessons on the oboe. She played oboe to escape the flute epidemic in
school and played flute in the community orchestra. At age thirteen, she
added the English horn. When she reached high school and had to do
something in marching band or not be allowed into the music program, she
learned mallets. She didn't play all through college because she had to
devote all her time to her studies. She began playing again when she got
pregnant with her first child at age 25. She is now 33 and started piano
last year. She plays all her instruments equally well and has people
calling her all the time to be an extra.

My point here is to let the kids so what they want. Tell your little
student how you view her future as a musician.... that you are sure she can
play whatever she sets her mind to as long as she is patient. Tell her it
might no longer be as easy as just playing one instrument. Then help her
to do everything she wants, even if it is a little more work for you. With
your help, she will probably succeed. With your discouragement, she will
sneak behind your back and do it anyway. When kids want something really
badly enough, they are willing to work hard to get it, as long as they have
support while trying to progress. Who knows, you may have another "Eddie
Daniels" here.

Best of luck,

Nancy

Nancy Buckman
Principal Clarinet / Orchestra AACC
eefer@-----.net

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