 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: theclarinetist
Date: 2003-12-18 13:41
Hello,
I just wanted to post this for no apparent reason. I think the Christmas spirit has gotten the best of me, but I'm just in a really good mood right now. Much of what I'm thinking will probably qualify as "understatement of the year", but here goes.
Being able to play the clarinet has really been a positive force in my life. I was teaching the other day, and I just thought about how happy it makes me (despite having 45 students, which plus a full college course load can at times be a strain time-wise). I've done my share of "normal" jobs, waiting tables, working at stores, and a brief time of telemarketing (I quite after 4 days, I just couldn't live with myself!!). All those jobs were tolerable and even fun at times, but none of them gave me the sense of satisfaction and personal accomplishment that teaching does.
I think the best part of teaching is that with many students you can sort of see yourself in them. Even with sixth graders who can only play a few notes, you see the seeds of something great and you can help them grow (sorry for the corny metaphor). With older kids, high school age, I can aid them in experiencing all the musical things that made my own high school experience fun and memorable (like all-region and all-state, solo and ensemble, etc...).
Oh well, I have to go teach in a few minutes (last week before Xmas break!). I know many people may have probably expressed similar sentiments in the past, and I apologize if I'm just repeating the same old thing. I just wanted to interject some X-mas cheer into the board.
Even with all the "bad" stuff we often discuss (bad reeds, pieces we hate...), at the end of the day playing the clarinet is a positive experience (I know we all realize that, but when the weather changes and all one's reeds simultaneously go bad, a little reminder is sometimes helpful).
Don Hite
theclarinetist@yahoo.com
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Author: William Hughes ★2017
Date: 2003-12-18 14:30
Don:
I appreciate your thoughts. Our son will enter college next year and plans to major in music education. I hope he can bring the enthusiasm, encouragement and personal empathy you describe to his future endeavors, the very same qualities his teachers have offered him throughout his high school career. So thank you to all teachers of music and have a very Merry Christmas.
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Author: jo.clarinet
Date: 2003-12-18 14:43
I love teaching too, though I hesitated a little before posting here as I don't teach clarinet - yet! I teach recorders and piano, but I reckon that before too long I could take on some clarinet beginners (I certainly know more about clarinet playing than a lot of the general woodwind teachers round my area!)
A lot of people I know hanker for early retirement etc, and think I'm weird when I say I'd like to keep on teaching as long as possible!
Must go - my first pupil of the evening is due any moment...
Joanna Brown
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Author: Liquorice
Date: 2003-12-18 21:58
Don- wonderful to hear your enthusiam for doing the thing that we all love. Thanks for sharing it with us!
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Author: leonardA
Date: 2003-12-19 12:39
As a new adult student (one year) I share your enthusiasm but from the student's viewpoint. I have a wonderful teacher who has really helped me progress and added to my new-found joy of playing the clarinet--something I never thought I would be doing. So, thanks to teachers like you who are such a great help.
Leonard
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