 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: YCL-450
Date: 2006-05-14 22:58
Well I decided to sign up for clarinet lessons and will have my first one this Sat. So can anyone give me a general idea of what to expect?
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Author: pewd
Date: 2006-05-14 23:09
relax, you'll be fine
depends on the teacher.
first lesson, i ask the student to play something for me , to establish where they are.
I look at their equipment setup, check the horn for leaks, bent keys, see what mouthpiece, type, strength of reed they have, ect.
I make notes to myself about what I find.
I listen to their tone, look at their hand position, embouchure.
I turn a tuner on and check their pitch.
I point to some notes on a page and ask them to name the notes.
I have them sight read, I'm looking for their ability to identify notes and to handle different rhythms. Usually I'll reach up and grab the barrel, jiggle it to see if the mouthpice is held firmly in their mouth
Then I have an idea of where they are, and make a book recommendation.
I give them a piece of music to practice on., and, hopefully, make a few suggestions about what to work on in the coming week.
It usually takes 2,3 weeks before I have a clear idea of their level, and then I put a plan in place to help them improve.
Relax, you worry too much.
Go play something, have fun.
- Paul Dods
Dallas, Texas
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Author: GBK
Date: 2006-05-14 23:25
pewd correctly describes many of the things that a private teacher will assess during the first few lessons. I follow much the same pattern with my new students, including some basic sight reading.
Bring something to play that you have worked on. This will help the teacher establish where your technique and music/rhythm ability presently is.
Remember, that it is a two-way street. Not only is the teacher getting acquainted with you, but you are doing the same with the teacher. He/she may also ask you what your long term goals are. For example: Do you want to learn the "classics" or study jazz? Do you just want to learn to play some tunes for your own entertainment, or do you aspire to play in a community band/orchestra?
It is also quite common for the teacher to change some of the basics of your playing: embouchure, hand position, posture, etc... Being a self-learner, you may have already picked up a few less-than-desirable habits which should be corrected.
Although it may feel awkward at first to get used to, it will ultimately make your playing more efficient and enjoyable ...GBK
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Author: YCL-450
Date: 2006-05-15 00:34
relax, you'll be fine
depends on the teacher.
first lesson, i ask the student to play something for me , to establish where they are.
I look at their equipment setup, check the horn for leaks, bent keys, see what mouthpiece, type, strength of reed they have, ect.
I make notes to myself about what I find.
I listen to their tone, look at their hand position, embouchure.
I turn a tuner on and check their pitch.
I point to some notes on a page and ask them to name the notes.
I have them sight read, I'm looking for their ability to identify notes and to handle different rhythms. Usually I'll reach up and grab the barrel, jiggle it to see if the mouthpice is held firmly in their mouth
Then I have an idea of where they are, and make a book recommendation.
I give them a piece of music to practice on., and, hopefully, make a few suggestions about what to work on in the coming week.
It usually takes 2,3 weeks before I have a clear idea of their level, and then I put a plan in place to help them improve.
Thanks, that gives me an idea of what to expect. I won't be able to identify those notes though because I play by ear. I'm not really interested in learning to read music. I hope he doesn't insist on it.
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Author: GBK
Date: 2006-05-15 00:46
YCL-450 wrote:
> I'm
> not really interested in learning to read music. I hope he
> doesn't insist on it.
Perhaps for a brief lesson or two, but over time, I wouldn't teach a student who wasn't interested in reading music ...GBK
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Author: pewd
Date: 2006-05-15 02:17
>I'm not really interested in learning to read music
a good teacher will attempt to convince you that learning to read music is in your best interest if you truly desire to become a good musician
a good teacher will work with you, guiding you on a path which will help you become competent on the instrument.
go into your lessons with an open mind; you, and your teacher, will both learn things together.
paul
- Paul Dods
Dallas, Texas
Post Edited (2006-05-15 02:26)
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2006-05-15 04:54
"Perhaps for a brief lesson or two, but over time, I wouldn't teach a student who wasn't interested in reading music"
Lucky for you YCL-450 - some teachers would. Also, if you go a teacher who only teaches classical music reading music is almost all you are going to do. If you are more interested in jazz and improvised music you don't necessarily have to read music. For example, one of the best jazz pianists in my country (the best for his age) he a pretty bad reader.
BUT -
When I started clarient I learned with a classical teacher, and I didn't know what I wanted at all other than playing clarinet. It took me 11 years of lessons to decide I prefer not playing classical music, and only now, another 5 years later I am starting to decide what music exactly I want to play.
The thing I value the most from learning classical music is reading music! Eventhough I don't play classical music anymore, I don't regret even for a second that I learned to read music. It helped me a lot, and it helped with music I want to play too!
That jazz pianist I mentioned above, after years of no interest in reading music, and after he was already an amazing player, he started studying in the university as a classical pianist! He suddenly decided he wanted to improve his weaker points.
Good luck.
Post Edited (2006-05-15 05:25)
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Author: GBK
Date: 2006-05-15 05:12
clarnibass -
My exact quote was: "...Perhaps for a brief lesson or two, but over time, I wouldn't teach a student who wasn't interested in reading music..."
Not learning to read music is a handicap - plain and simple.
Those who prefer to play music without any knowledge of how to read it will sooner or later be put into a situation where reading is essential.
That is when they usually change their outlook...GBK
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2006-05-15 05:28
GBK, sorry for not putting the whole quote (I edited it). I think in the rest of my post I completely agree with you, because I do.
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Author: Sean.Perrin
Date: 2006-05-15 08:37
Wait a minute, in another thread you said you were playign 4-5 hours a day... I don't understand what someone would be practicing for that long if they couldn't read music. Do you play a lot of scales and try to play pieces/songs you like by ear or something?
Founder and host of the Clarineat Podcast: http://www.clarineat.com
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Author: YCL-450
Date: 2006-05-15 12:35
Sean.Perrin wrote:
> Wait a minute, in another thread you said you were playign 4-5
> hours a day... I don't understand what someone would be
> practicing for that long if they couldn't read music. Do you
> play a lot of scales and try to play pieces/songs you like by
> ear or something?
>
Most of my practice time is spent just playing and learning songs. Mostly Christmas carols and some old folk type stuff. Fairly easy to play. I do some scales but don't spend much time on them. I just like to play the thing. I have no interest at all in classical music. I like jazz and the other stuff mentioned. I play everything by ear and I'm pretty good at so I don't have need to read music. I have heard stories of poeple who read music become completely lost with out it and even unable to play. Playing by ear I think gives one much more freedom with the music. I guess it woiuld be ideal to be able to do both.
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Author: David Peacham
Date: 2006-05-15 12:52
I'd be interested to know whether there is anyone on this board other than YCL-450 who does not read music.
-----------
If there are so many people on this board unwilling or unable to have a civil and balanced discussion about important issues, then I shan't bother to post here any more.
To the great relief of many of you, no doubt.
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Author: BobD
Date: 2006-05-15 14:02
People made music long before it was written. I have long held the opinion that playing by ear or attempting to do so is or should be an important aspect of music training.
Bob Draznik
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Author: bawa
Date: 2006-05-15 14:23
Actually, there are classical music in other places that are almost totally oral, e.g. Indian, however, traditionally to acquire such leanring, you literally went and lived with your teacher, often as a child!
However, in this context, everyone who plays that I know reads music: whether they play classical or jazz or whatever.
I have cousin who is a rock guitarist, very good one, and he told me that he learned to play by ear and memory, but eventually got to a point where he realisedhad to learn to read music and take solfeggio classes because he was, in his words, "at a dead end" and not making "progress". He plays stuff like Toto, or did the backing for Elton John on one of his tours etc.
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Author: pewd
Date: 2006-05-15 14:29
this will be interesting - let us know how the first lesson goes.
- Paul Dods
Dallas, Texas
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Author: YCL-450
Date: 2006-05-15 15:08
pewd wrote:
> this will be interesting - let us know how the first lesson
> goes.
>
He may toss me out the door.
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Author: Katrina
Date: 2006-05-15 18:43
I don't necessarily require that a student learn to read so that he can play "only" from the page.
For a while I had a flute student who wanted to play jazz. I could teach him the basics of the flute, and managed to get a bunch of note-reading in there. I am not a jazz musician at all, so I could not begin to teach him that. He learned a few scales and simple tunes. Now he's with a teacher who is a "real" flutist and who has jazz experience. I feel good that I got him started though.
In the end, the "dots on the page" are only there so you can begin to figure out what a piece of music sounds like IF YOU'VE NEVER HEARD IT BEFORE. Doesn't mean you have to keep looking at it...just plunk out the notes one by one on a piano or on your clarinet, and begin to get the idea....then make it yours.
Katrina
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