 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: janlynn
Date: 2003-10-14 18:29
i am going to have a new teacher next semester (i think)
i want to meet him first and see if we click. i thot along with my registration form i would send a letter to the teacher giving him some of my music history and personal information. some of that includes coming out of an abusive situation. i have found thru therapy these past 2 years just HOW much my emotional state effects me musically. also i have a learning disability. becuz i play in a wind symphony, clarinet choir , take lessons, give lessons, and work full time - it doesnt give ME much time to practice. but rather than not taking lessons at all, i thot maybe i could be assigned smaller portions or go every other week instead of every week. by the time i got done writing the letter - i wondered - how much is too much. he's going to read all these negative things about me and not want me as a student. but the situation is not as bad as it sounds on paper .. just things i would want him to keep in mind.
the other thing is that i would like 3 free lessons before commiting on the registration. is this asking too much? for past experience - 3 seems to be the magic number. 1st lesson - you get to know each other and see where im at. 2nd - you begin and get an assignment. 3rd - you find out what the teacher expects and he finds out what you give in return.
am i making too big a deal of this? should i just sign the form and say nothing?
any private teachers out there .. what do you think?
JL
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2003-10-14 18:37
janlynn wrote:
> i want to meet him first and see if we click.
Good idea.
> -i thot along with
> my registration form i would send a letter to the teacher
> giving him some of my music history and personal information.
Hmmm. Personal information (snipped below)? I think that's too much; he/she's your music teacher, not therapist or counselor.
> but rather than not taking lessons at
> all, i thot maybe i could be assigned smaller portions or go
> every other week instead of every week.
That depends on the teacher, - which is why a meeting would be a good idea.
> the other thing is that i would like 3 free lessons before
> commiting on the registration. is this asking too much?
Yup. Maybe one freebie; if you continue you should pay. You can always stop and find another teacher if lessons 2 or 3 don't go well.
> am i making too big a deal of this? should i just sign the form
> and say nothing?
Does the form commit you to some number of lessons or prepayment? If so, I wouldn't sign the form and would look elsewhere. Otherwise, if the form just is to get registered with this teacher and start up, it shouldn't be a problem.
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Author: Hank Lehrer
Date: 2003-10-14 18:45
Hi JL,
No, you are not making too big a deal out of this but I think perhaps you might want to re-think a few of your requirements. Not knowing what type of educational situation you are in, I'll just guess at college and make my answer fit that setting.
It is important to have a good relationship with your teacher and vice versa so having an introductory chat is a good idea. Talking about your experience and then revealing your learning disability if you feel comfortable is a good plan. Expecting three free lessons is not a good plan (would you go to a doctor and expect to be healed in three visits or you pay no money?).
It would seem that you can strive to find out in a first meeting what you think should happen in lesson #3. If a student has too many requirements and I don't think I can help them within the framework of what I consider should be done within the structure of lessons, I suggest they find another teacher. Since you give lessons, think how you would react if a new student said to you what you have outlined in your post.
HRL
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Author: janlynn
Date: 2003-10-14 18:47
thanks for the input mark ..what do you think about the learning disability .. its a problem with processing verbal language so the teacher may have to talk a bit slower than normal. not a lot .. but it does take me longer to understand verbal langauge rather than written language. kind of the opposite of dyslexia.
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Author: janlynn
Date: 2003-10-14 18:49
btw - this is a community music school ... for beginners on up.
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2003-10-14 18:52
janlynn wrote:
> its a problem with processing verbal
> language so the teacher may have to talk a bit slower than
> normal. not a lot .. but it does take me longer to understand
> verbal langauge rather than written language.
That's something I'd let a teacher know!
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Author: janlynn
Date: 2003-10-14 18:56
thanks hank ... glad i asked becuz i really want to do whats best and whats reasonable!
what i do is very informal and i welcome as MUCH information as anyone wants to give. i work around things, go an extra half hour free .. i just do it for fun and becuz i enjoy it. but where this man is a hired teacher at this school - thats a bit different.
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2003-10-14 19:12
asking for 3 free lessons is very rude! i personally think that even asking for 1 free lesson is rude. if you go to 1 lesson and don't like it, leave. paying for 1 lesson wouldn't kill you (i hope!).
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Author: janlynn
Date: 2003-10-14 19:24
well, i certainly dont want to be rude and dont mean to be. i just know from past experience, it has taken me 3 lessons to really know how things are going to go. maybe thats just me, and someone else would just know after 1 meeting.
actually, i got the idea of asking for "free" from past posts that i have read here. NOT that anyone suggested THREE - not at all - - but i do think 1 would be okay, as ive seen suggested in the past.
and in defense of my character - i just prefer to think that i was being unreasonable rather than rude ..becuz im not a rude person.
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Author: 'nifer
Date: 2003-10-14 19:35
I typically comp the first lesson for my students, so they can see if we work well together and i am completely honest with new students about my expectations and if i feel that the student will work well with me or not. and i ask new students at the end of their first lesson if they feel that the lesson went well and if they would like to continue working with me or not.
definitely tell the teacher about your learning disability and i am sure they can compensate and possibly use more written notes and diagrams in your lesson (drawing pictures in a notebook to illustrate points) to help you understand more. i have worked with students with dyslexia other types of disabilities and usually as a teacher, as long as you know and begin to understand the specific nature of the disability you can customize your teaching and work better with the student.
'nifer
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Author: hans
Date: 2003-10-14 20:13
janlynn,
IMO you have received excellent advice above.
If I were going to take lessons from a professional, I would expect to pay the full price right from the beginning, just as I would with any other professional or skilled tradesperson. My auto mechanic or clarinet repair tech don't give free work samples.
A longer than normal first meeting with no additional charge for the extra time would be reasonable because there are some "startup" issues that will need to be discussed; i.e., the lesson period should start after the discussion.
Best wishes,
Hans
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Author: janlynn
Date: 2003-10-14 20:25
thank you to all who have replied .. i have a better idea of what i want to do now .. #1, NOT ask for any free lessons lol. #2, combine some written information about myself, but not as much as i was going to. i dont verbalize very well becuz of my disability and i thot it would be easier to write it all out. but on second thot - maybe some limited information would be best and after meeting him i can add some additional stuff if it seems appropriate and he seems receptive to it.
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Author: Henry
Date: 2003-10-14 20:37
Janlynn: That seems like a good approach but, again, limit your comments to your learning disability. Keep it professional and do not write (or talk, even later) about your very personal background/problems. These problems can hopefully be dealt with by others; do not burden your teacher with them.
Good luck!
Henry
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Author: Hank Lehrer
Date: 2003-10-14 21:44
JL,
Yes, as I suggested in my earlier post, mentioning the disbility is very important as it can affect all your learning. However, there is no need to submit a vitae or paper work about all your other qualifications, just tell the teacher if the situation presents itself. Since this is obviously an experienced person, he or she will know what's meaningful to know and may ask as your lessons progresses.
I'm certain though that what all teachers want to hear first is how you play; prepare a little etude or play part of a solo you have been working on. Make this a fun meeting. No pressure, just informative.
HRL
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Author: diz
Date: 2003-10-14 21:58
A free lesson ... come on! Would you go to a new doctor and say to him ... I want a free consultation just because I don't know you ... maybe not. I'm a little against that sort of advice, assuming your teacher is appropriately qualified and has a good track record with students ... when I studied in London I wasn't about to turn up to College and tell my professor that I wanted a rain check. I took her qualifications on board and travelled 12000 miles. As it turned out we didn't "click" particularly but I respected her and she nurtured my talent and, after spending a year with her (almost) I am a much better musician for the experience ... this is MY experience and I'm not necessarily suggesting anyone else should follow it.
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Author: janlynn
Date: 2003-10-14 22:14
yeah diz - i GET it already.. does the free lesson thing need to be pounded into the ground here?
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Author: Hank Lehrer
Date: 2003-10-15 01:34
JL,
As far as the free lesson thing, you asked and should be ready to receive. Don't lay out a problem on the BB and then expect others to be too sympathetic if they don't agree. That's the problem with posting, sometimes you take a little bit of a beating but you did get good advice from several people.
Look at this posting as a learning experience; you hit a nerve with others and you will now know that that is not a place to go. Chaulk it up and move on. You'll be fine. Relax and be appreciative that others were willing to help you with your problem. Consider that you got your answers in less than 4 hours from an international group of clarinet friends. Pretty amazing, right!
HRL
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Author: janlynn
Date: 2003-10-15 02:10
i AM appreciative , had ALREADY chaulked it up to experience as stated in my conclusion as to what i was going to do, not looking for sympathy (for what?) nor do i expect anyone to agree.
its just that i had learned early on in the thread that asking for a free lesson (or 3) was a big no no. i got it, okay - then i get ONE more dig.
god, you guys are all acting like im some horrible person.
THANK YOU EVERYONE - I AM VERY VERY GRATEFUL for all the advice i was able to get from such socially and musically knowlegable people. i will , have taken it all to heart. so can we just stop beating me up about asking for a free lesson. geez!
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2003-10-15 03:16
Wait a second . . . you were gonna ask for a free lesson?! ![[wink]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/smilie3.gif)
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: allencole
Date: 2003-10-15 06:27
JanLynn, I think that you are saying that you are registered for lessons at a community music school. If you signed up for a time slot, you need to confer with your prospective teacher BEFORE lessons begin. That time slot is committed to you and you alone, and the teacher cannot replace the lost revenue. If his time is limited, it may well be that another student has already been turned away because of time that you have reserved. Whether to waste lesson time on your evaluation scheme should be his or her choice exclusively.
Any reputable teacher will be happy to talk to you at length about your situation, but this is what office hours are for--not lesson time. If the teacher will not meet with you at all, cancel your registration if it's not too late.
If you have good basic skills, I don't see a problem with having a small workload--as long as you are not earning academic credit.
Other ideas, like the three-lesson evaluation, bi-weekly lessons, etc. are major red lights and at their mention, I would refer you immediately to my competition.
Allen Cole
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Author: janlynn
Date: 2003-10-15 07:02
sfalexi .. haha .. i know your kiddin
allen ...i plan to register for 'next' semester and was hoping to meet with the teacher 'this' semester so that i can make a decision BEFORE im assigned any time slot.
yes, im at an advanced level and have good basic skills which is why im making a teacher change. the teacher i have now, works mainly with beginners and i dont feel like im getting enough out of the lessons.
last time, i went in with a lot of questions and they were answered in the first half hour, and the teacher talked to me (chatted - not about music) for another 20 min, and when i cut in and said .. uhhh - i havent played anything yet, this person said - "oh thats okay - its good to take a break". NOT when you pay so much an hour it isnt. im not paying to chat.
maybe thats why theres this issue of a free lesson with me (OH NO -WHY did it bring it up - im gonna get bashed again) BUT, if i had to decide in one lesson or one meeting if this teacher i have now would work out, my decision would had been yes (as it was). i would had felt this person is very outgoing, friendly and talkative. but it will tone down once the lessons get going. it never did. a friendly outgoing person is fine. talking is fine too, but not when 30 min of a lesson im paying for is wasted. and im trying to avoid a situation where i make a decision too quickly.
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Author: graham
Date: 2003-10-15 07:30
Your last post is very interesting, because it suggests that you like to have a very focused session (on music), and not one that discourses into other non-relevant aspects. Of course, many pupils like the mixture of music and chat. Teachers are often aware of this difference and seek cues as to which approach to use. If you put a load of non-musical personal information in your appliaction, then a sympathetic person is likely to think you want the chatty/life skills type lesson. This is exactly what you do not want. So I say stick closely to the advice of all these posts, that you stick to the business of learning the music, and do not go in for extraneous distractions.
This reminds me of one of my former teachers who (years after teaching me) instituted a policy with regards to kids who might be his pupils. He would take them on trial for three lessons. If he did not like them, he would call the parents and say it was finished. He agreed this with the parents up front. He carried it through, in several cases. This may seem counter to the usual modern approach, but he was just the sort of no nonsense teacher you would want. Sympathetic to people's issues, yes. But absolutely focused on what pupil and teacher were there to do, and not tolerant of a lack of focus by the pupil.
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Author: janlynn
Date: 2003-10-15 11:18
okay , whats his name - where does he live - i wanna meet him..
just kidding graham .. but you DO bring up an interesting point. that is - i dont like to be chatty. a little bit - yes, but i lose focus and interest becuz of the thing i have when hearing ...words get mixed up to me, i cant distinguish sounds of words, like the written word gets mixed up to a dyslexic. you wouldnt give them a page to read for the fun of it, right? you would verbalize whatever. likewise, its not fun for me to try and use my energy to interpret what i am hearing. it stressful. one reason i play music. its a non-verbal way for me to express myself.
some talking is neccessary and even some chatting, maybe about the day "how are you?" but not like we're having a tea party. i do think there is a happy medium where it doesnt have to be ALL business, nor so laidback that the teacher doesnt care if i learn anything or nor.
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Author: Ed
Date: 2003-10-15 16:26
Janlynn-
Don't think that people are beating a dead horse. On a BB like this you will find that there are many people who want to be helpful. They all want to give their opinions in their own words. If only one or two people gave input it would not be possible to know if everyone else agrees or just did not post. This way it is extremely helpful to know that 12 out of 15 people thought this was a bad idea.
I think it would be a good idea to sign up for the lessons and see how things pan out. Sometimes it takes a while to hit your stride with a teacher. Let it run its own course, and see how it develops. As to giving lots of background info, I would err on the side of less. You can't pull it back once you open that door. Sometimes I find that if I am given TOO much info it can be overwhelming. It also sometimes can seem that the student is setting up excuses for failure. Explain what you need to have to help you work at your best and to process info, but don't tie the teacher up with too much baggage. Often a good teacher will get a feel for you and work accordingly. It can be great to let the teacher learn about you rather than beginning with a preconceived notion.
Good Luck and don't be afraid to ask more questions, everyone here is here to help.
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Author: janlynn
Date: 2003-10-15 17:52
thank you so much Ed .. i see what your saying ...your input is appreciated as well!
JL
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Author: diz
Date: 2003-10-15 22:49
janlynn ... let us know how you get on, ok?
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Author: OboeAtHeart
Date: 2003-10-16 01:59
Good luck with your teacher! It's a very important decision in a musician's life, I would think. Usually, if the teacher in one of my classes and mine do not mix, I have a harder time paying attention and actually caring about what I'm doing in that class. Thankfully, my clarinet instructor and I get along great (we're near clones, it's kind of freaky.) and I've gotten a lot better from having a teacher. Make sure your decision is one you're happy with. *nod* Take care!
-Jenne.
*~"The clarinet, though appropriate to the expression of the most poetic ideas and sentiments, is really an epic instrument- the voice of heroic love."~*
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Author: allencole
Date: 2003-10-16 04:58
JanLynn, I have to say that I'm surprised to see a teacher wanting to talk so much with a well-focused student who wants to work. I don't speak for all music teachers, but feel safe in assuring you that what you have experienced is not the rule. Most teachers are thrilled to see a well-prepared student go through their paces.
You are correct in making your inquiries early.
Allen Cole
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Author: janlynn
Date: 2003-10-16 16:48
well guys ... i have done a complete turn around .. thot a lot about what everyone has said to me. i have considered what each one of you have said, but it was Ed's post that clicked ....
i do NOT want the teacher to think im making excuses for failure before i even begin.and i definately wouldnt want him to get the wrong preconceived notion about me. like Ed said, once something is said - you cant take it back.
what i have decided to do, is not have any pre-lessons. just sign the form and go and see how thing "pan out." there is a place on the form to describe learning disabilities so i will fill that in so he knows he may have to talk a bit slower with me. and i will give a brief music background. i now feel like 'developing' a student/teacher relationship would be interesting and rewarding instead of saying ... heres my problems, can you work with me?
so, if youre still interested in how it all works out, i will let you know, but it will be awhile since i wont be going till next semester.
thanks for the help 'everyone'
Janlynn
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