 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: SuzyQ
Date: 2004-05-02 02:35
~yes, from a "young" clarinet player in 8th grade.
I need some ideas or encouragement here.
My clarinet teacher (a professor at the local college) is moving away, and my last lesson is on Monday. The problem is that this week I've been so busy with band concerts and a band trip that I have had NO time to practice. I don't see how I am going to go to my last lesson like this. I'm afraid I'll be so disgusted at my awful playing, I won't be able to concentrate and my last lesson with my dear teacher will be RUINED! gone forever! the last time I will probably ever see him.
Please does someone have any suggestions for me to help me get through my last lesson? I'm not saying anything will make me play better, but... perhaps there is something you all can encourage me with. I am really distraught over him moving, and so upset with myself for not being the quality student I wanted to be for him. I always figured that I would have time, but this sudden move has left me hopeless. Becuase of this all, I'm having a really hard time handling his move. And now especially, I don't know how I will face this last lesson.
distraught.
Suzy Q
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Hank Lehrer
Date: 2004-05-02 03:11
Hi SQ,
Don't be too upset but above all don't try to "fool" your professor (you obviously have great respect for each other so don't put that in jeopardy). A promise to not let your schedule get in the way of future lessons with future teachers might suffice and absolve some of your guilty feelings (when you get to be a parent/teacher/professor, you'll know more about this from the other end). I'd own up to the busy schedule and the fact that you did not want to dissappoint him and leave it at that for this final lesson.
What you might suggest to him though that there may be a number of things that he might suggest that you work on in the coming months/years. Where does he see you being in a number of months/years in the way of tone, technique, etc.
You can make this a "roadmap" lesson on where you two might have gone musically had he not moved. Promise to work on your "plan" and to keep him informed.
HRL (A parent/teacher/professor also)
Post Edited (2004-05-02 03:18)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Brenda
Date: 2004-05-02 04:01
Upset over not being the quality student you wanted to be, and for HIM? This raises some interesting issues.
I believe that because you have feelings of not being a quality student it means that you indeed are a great student! It's obvious that you care so much about your playing. However, remember that this is real life and there are only 24 hours in one day. As you get older you'll recognize limitations on your schedule before they arise and then advise your teacher ahead of time. So don't beat yourself up too much.
It depends on what's important to you, and what you choose to put first in your life. You may have to choose between lessons and concerts, homework and jobs - you can't do it all.
Now, what's this about wanting to be a good student for him? It's OK to want to please our teacher, but not to the point of attatching ourselves emotionally to one person and forgetting who we're really doing all of this for, ourselves. YOU will always be there for you, but teachers will come and go.
Even a great teacher can't possibly teach you everything. A change is good and a new teacher, even if he/she isn't quite as good, will teach you things that the other one didn't. So as you go through this unwelcome change you'll probably find that it would have been good for you in the end, and that you grew from it.
And it's a great idea that Hank suggested to use the last lesson to discuss a future direction for you, a "where do we go from here" and "what do I need to work on" discussion.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Liquorice
Date: 2004-05-02 06:26
There's still plenty of time before Monday. If it's so important to you then FIND the time to practise. Get up early in the morning for instance. You just have to make the time.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: ron b
Date: 2004-05-02 07:46
Your teacher sounds like a friend as well as your teacher, SuzyQ, and that's a precious combination. Parting ways is never as easy we hope it might be... for anyone. So, tell your teacher the truth; you simply didn't have time to practice as much as you'd've liked to. Reminisce as long as time allows and part friends.
- ron b -
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: LeWhite
Date: 2004-05-02 13:47
Tell him what you've told us here. You obviously have so much respect for each other, so why not tell him? Maybe your last lesson could be just chatting about 'stuff' in general. You never know. A sudden move is probably just as emotional for him.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: hans
Date: 2004-05-02 16:11
By Tuesday it won't be a problem anymore.
There were many good suggestions above; in addition, you might want to give your teacher a little something to remember you by.
Regards,
Hans
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: SuzyQ
Date: 2004-05-02 17:51
~Thank you all~ You are encouraging and I appreciate you all taking the time to reply. Really, I appreciate it more than you know.
I'm planning to tell him I did not get to practice hardly any this week and then go from there.
Brenda, I believe you read into the "for him" situation much different than I intended it. It is simply that I respect him very much. Partly for taking the time out of his busy schedule to teach me -just a middle school student.- and partly for a couple of others issue in which I really look up to him.
I think I will feel much better come Tuesday, and might be able to put it behind me, and then look to the future for as a new challenge.
Thank you all again,
Suz
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Avie
Date: 2004-05-02 23:54
SuzieQ. Your teacher must be very proud of you. After preparing yourself try to relax and not worry so much about the outcome. ATV
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Mark Pinner
Date: 2004-05-03 10:06
Touching! If your 'professor' has been teaching for long enough to be able claim the title 'professor', he, or she, will probably be able to deal with the vagaries you describe.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: coasten1
Date: 2004-05-03 17:00
This post may be too late for you to read but I would just ask your teacher if you could just have a 'fun' lesson. Play some duets and make it a relaxed last lesson. When I had a last lesson with my instructor. We went over my solo piece I was going to perform, then we just reviewed the things to work on for myself until I find a new teacher. It was productive in other ways than just playing my lesson. good luck.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: allencole
Date: 2004-05-03 17:14
Relax! When I know it's a student's last lesson, the last thing I'm worried about is how much they practiced the week before. Last lessons are generally configured to prepare you to work on your own until you hook up with another teacher.
Have a good time and say your goodbyes. Don't get distraught over your preparation for that particular lesson. If you've been a good student all along, I'm sure that your teacher already has a consistently good opinion of you.
Allen Cole
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
