 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: pgporto
Date: 2003-06-30 02:26
For the almost seven years I have been playing the clarinet, I've never taken private lessons (I've been in our school band since the beginning, though). Now that my senior year is coming up, I feel like I lack the technical abilities necessary for someone playing as long as I have. I've learned how to play by just practicing the music provided in regular band and it got me through to section leader. However, when I go to auditions for honor bands and state bands, I'm always humbled by the guys that play incredibly. I don't know any solo pieces or major classical works, just simple etudes from different books. Would taking private lessons be beneficial to my cause(maybe just a year?)...or is it too late? Does someone guiding you really help, or will sitting down and practicing diligently have the same effect? What are your experiences with lessons?
Thanks for any advice,
Paul
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Author: Pam H.
Date: 2003-06-30 02:36
I don't think it's ever too late for lessons. I never had private lessons during my high school days - just whatever I got in school. Now I take private lessons 20+ years later. It think it's helpful - having the motivation of a private teacher and the accountability. He or she can give you guidance as you prepare for auditions or just improve your abilities if that's what you want to do.
For me, at this stage, it's helpful that my teacher and I play together a lot. I think it also helps listening to others that are more accomplished.
Now is probably a good time of year to find a teacher as well. It seems in my area that a lot of students tend to take a break over the summer so the teachers schedules are more open to accepting new students.
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Author: glin
Date: 2003-06-30 03:16
Paul,
I agree with Pam. It never is too late. And likewise, I also was good enough to "get by" in high school with little competition and challenge from a good stand partner. So, I never felt the need for private lessons. I wish I could have changed that. If I had a teacher for just my senior year, I'm sure I would have picked up some valuable insight and appreciation of good clarinet techniques and tone. I didn't have a clue back then. Now, 17 years past high school, I've started with the lessons. You can only gain so much by self-tutelage. Having a qualified instructor gives you so much more.
Definitely consider the lessons.
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Author: JMcAulay
Date: 2003-06-30 03:39
To me, "too late for lessons" means any time after nine PM. Other than that, go get 'em.
Regards,
John
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Author: leonardA
Date: 2003-06-30 04:01
I'm an adult beginner (seven months) and I find that having a teacher and getting feeback is really valuable. He always points out something that I wouldn't have noticed or thought of on my own, like an alternate fingering or just some little adjustment, without which I might have struggled for weeks to clean up what he did in one lesson. So I think a good teacher could be really helpful to you.
Happy playing,
Leonard
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Author: Jerry
Date: 2003-06-30 04:05
I started in fourth grade...we had small group lessons for beginners for a few months... Played in junior high and high school band. Then comes the summer between my junior and senior year in high school...finally I have my first private lessons! I don't recall if taking those lessons was a deal my director made with me that enabled me to play first chair in my senior year. I do know that the junior right behind me was equal or better.
Anyway, 37 years later and I've been taking private lessons for 7 months now. I'm making up for lost time - and I hope I never have to stop. I join with the others in agreeing it is never too late - happy lessoning!
Now for the reality check, however. A good private teacher will do all the things the other posters mentioned. But she will not perform miracles. The "miracles" will come when you spend 3 or 4+ hours a day perfecting your lessons and playing with a group during the summer. Unless you're a lot more 'talanted' than most, you will not have perfected a number of "major solo pieces" in one summer. Two summers, with a lot of work, perhaps.
Jerry
The Villages, FL
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Author: Ed
Date: 2003-06-30 04:09
A good teacher can help you make even better progress than you have made already. He/She can show you the best ways to approach things, select appropriate etudes, methods and repertoire, give feedback or prodding when needed, help with equipment, etc. It is always helpful to work with someone who has lots of experience as a player and teacher so you can learn from their experience. Good Luck!!
Ed
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Author: allencole
Date: 2003-06-30 05:37
Go for it. Because you have gone so long without lessons, you may end up having a greater appreciation for what they have to offer. You'll also have the opportunity to find a fresh approach to playing situations and technical problems that may have frustrated you in the paste.
Good luck! Let us know how it goes.
Allen Cole
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Author: EEBaum
Date: 2003-06-30 06:28
After 6 years of clarinet playing (preceded by 7 years on flute), I've been taking private lessons for just over a year, and I've found myself surprised at how I used to play. For goodness' sake, I just learned to tongue properly last July!
It's never too late. Well, okay, maybe if you're getting your jaw removed next week, it's too late... but otherwise, it's not.
-Alex
www.mostlydifferent.com
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Author: clarinetgiggirl
Date: 2003-06-30 08:02
Lessons can help you to progress faster. A teacher can highlight weak points that you may not even be aware of and provide guidance on how to progress.
They are motivational, providing a focus for daily practice.
Most of all though, I find that they are a highly enjoyable experience. A full hour focused entirely on me and something that I love to do, with a teacher that I both like and respect - I would have a lesson every day if I could afford it!
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Author: Brenda
Date: 2003-06-30 11:15
Another vote for lessons - I had close to a 20-year break between high school and finally taking lessons.
One caution though, lessons should take you somewhere. If you take lessons "just because", you won't get as far as if you had a goal. If it's possible to work your way through some Conservatory or other system where you take exams to reach the next level, that will push you to excel and make you reach further. Playing with an ensemble of some kind will teach you other skills.
Also human chemistry being what it is, you find you'll be able to work well with some teachers and not with others. If you find that you're not comfortable with one or that your progress is stagnant, move along to another teacher.
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Author: BobD
Date: 2003-06-30 12:57
Most definitely......but considering your situation not one who specializes in beginning students..
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Author: Sue
Date: 2003-06-30 14:26
My experience is the same as Pam's and I've been taking lessons now for 2 months and it definitely has helped, right from the beginning. There are so many "little" things, there is no way a self taught player can learn they really can made a difference. My tone has improved and I've learned more about reeds (from my teacher and this board) something they didn't teach me in school, just to name a few. Absolutely find a GOOD teacher and take lessons for a while you don't need to make a long term commitment and talk with the teacher so he/she can find out the "gaps" (if you will) in your knowledge and playing technique.
You'll be surprised how much it can help!
Good luck,
Sue
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Author: Meri
Date: 2003-06-30 15:20
No, it is definitely not too late for lessons. I did not have private lessons until the summer after my second year of university, having been primarily self-taught for about 10 years prior. I had a very strong desire to take lessons when I was in grade 11 (since I was seriously thinking about studying music in university at the time, among other reasons) I couldn't afford to pay for them, and my parents were unwilling as well. Even though I made honours band and all-city symphony orchestra in high school, I felt something was missing from my life; to go beyond what I had learned from self-teaching.
Three years later, I'm on my second private instructor (my first one quit teaching for selling real estate, though we are still on very good terms with each other. I was crying for about 3 days after he told me he decided to quit teaching (almost a year after the last lesson I had with him; he was also dealing with some personal issues during that time; after that, I decided I needed about a couple of months to get over it). I know I learned so much from my first private teacher, especially in correcting some minor bad habits, development of a beautiful sound, and encouraging a love for rubato. I know he taught me a lot more than the clarinet; he taught me a lot about life. I know I will always think of him as "a big guy with a big heart". We really got to know each other as people.
My second teacher is really helping me in improving my staccato tonguing. It's too soon to tell if anything like what happened with my first teacher will happen with my second one (I've been with my new teacher for less than two months), but I have generally been happy with the quality of the teaching I get.
Meri
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Author: yo_dude24
Date: 2003-06-30 17:21
NEVER EVER! to late for lessons? i think not! I believe that lessons help improve your self to get along with other people better, my teacher tells me the truth no matter what, i've been taking them for about 5 months now, and not once has he ever said i did it perfectly, he always wants the best from me cause he knows what i'm capable of doing and knows that i can give him the best! teachers are perfect for anyone whos wanting to learn anything new, interesting or just fun to them, they'll teach it to you in a way you've never thought of looking at things. lessons are never to thought of as "just another thing" there something special to me and i respect my teacher and everything he does to help me, he takes time out of his schedule to teach me what he knows ( and to get paid for it! ). i believe that teacher will help you from your smallest problem which could be flyaway fingers all the way up to attacking your note with an exquisite tone! never take teacher for granted there here to teach and we should respect that!
Jaymz
oh yah and umm...lessons will help!
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Author: pgporto
Date: 2003-07-01 19:14
Thank you very much for all the advice. Since it is the summer, I have a lot of time freed up, and I'll see if there are any teachers available in my area.
Paul
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Author: Clay
Date: 2003-07-01 20:18
It's never too late! Take 'em while they are available!
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