 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: Chalumeau Joe
Date: 2008-02-06 07:24
I'm an adult re-learner (30+ year hiatus)...started playing in earnest about two years ago and have been quite pleased with my progress. After much procrastination and a overly busy work schedule, I have finally decided to take the plunge to get some private instruction this spring.
So, for adult re-learners, what recommendations do you have for finding a good teacher. Here's what I want to get out of it (at least, for now):
- I believe I know the areas in which I'd like to improve, namely, sight-reading and articulation (who doesn't?)
- I love to play trad jazz and the jazz standards. Very few instructors in my area teach trad jazz. Some teach klez, others say their approach is to emphasize classical (i.e., establish a firm foundation in the classics and go from there). Some are professional musicians with great reputations, but are so busy with their careers are only available once a month; others cater more to the middle- and high-school students and are available weekly.
- How much of a factor should the instructor's availability be? If I can get "the best", but he's only available once a month, is that better than the lesser quality professional who's available a couple of times a week? Does it really matter?
- I known that I should try several instructors before committing. How many should be sufficient (3? More?).
- How different is the quality of education from a true private instructor vs. one who teaches out of a behemoth music store (I've heard horror stories about some of the "big guys" typically hiring inexperienced recent music school grads.)
- What should I expect from a first lesson? Should I tell the instructor where I'd like to improve (thus, potentially biasing his approach to me), or let him hear me play and critique me as to the areas in which he thinks I can benefit.
- What are the danger signs that the match isn't a good one?
- For those instructors out there that already teach adults, how do you change your teaching style, if at all, to accommodate their learning needs. Have you noticed that adults have different needs or respond better to certain teaching techniques that younger students?
- Perhaps most importantly, what are the some good interview questions I should ask of a prospective teacher?
I don't mean to be overly analytical about this (after all, this is for fun and music isn't my profession); I do appreciate any insights and experiences members of this board can share.
Thank you,
Joe
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: skygardener
Date: 2008-02-06 07:50
The main thing I look for in a teacher is the success of their students. I don't care as much how THEY play as much as I care how they can help ME play. As for some of your questions-
Q: How much of a factor should the instructor's availability be? If I can get "the best", but he's only available once a month, is that better than the lesser quality professional who's available a couple of times a week? Does it really matter?
A: There is no crime in having 2 or more teachers in your situation. If you can get good lessons once a week, but great lessons once every 6 weeks, go for both.
Q:- How different is the quality of education from a true private instructor vs. one who teaches out of a behemoth music store (I've heard horror stories about some of the "big guys" typically hiring inexperienced recent music school grads.)
A:Each is a case by case. Since it is a one to one situation, there is no way to generalize quality.
Q:- What should I expect from a first lesson? Should I tell the instructor where I'd like to improve (thus, potentially biasing his approach to me), or let him hear me play and critique me as to the areas in which he thinks I can benefit.
A: You should give any teacher at least 2 lessons to get to know you and you to know them.
Q: - What are the danger signs that the match isn't a good one?
A: If you feel like you want to quit it is not a good match.
Good luck!
Post Edited (2008-02-06 11:52)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: jwiseman114
Date: 2008-02-06 12:40
IMO: Usually a great teacher will already have a great reputation and several successful students. A great teacher will typically have a very strong personality and possibly go against some of your ideas of what kind of player you want to be. If it is too much then you may not fit, but most of the time his/her strength will win you over and you will end up being sold on his/her teaching and the new found technique and beauty you will begin to hear in your own playing. You may end up a totally different player then you thought you wanted to be. You may not learn a lot about the style that you thought you wanted play but with strength of technique and a beautiful tone, you can play anything you want. I don't know much about Klezmer but I think it is probably the same with jazz. Most good players start with a teacher that gives them solid mechanics and uses classical pedagogy. Most players usually learn jazz/improv either from a different source (e.g. jazz program), or from their own individual study.
I recommend you find the very best teacher you can with a strong reputation and trust that they will know what to do with you.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: claritoot26
Date: 2008-02-06 14:12
Joe,
I am a private clarinet and alto saxophone instructor in Laurel, MD and would be available on a weekly basis. I have been playing clarinet for over 25 years, and teaching for several years. Finished my MM at U of Maryland in 2006. I haven't had much experience in traditional jazz, but can certainly help you with the basics of tone, articulation, technique, equipment selection, etc. You can email me directly if interested. ljfow@verizon.net
Alternatively, you might try contacting the US Army Field Band, which isn't far from you. They do tour a lot, so you might be without an instructor for weeks at a time. Jihoon Chang from the Marine Band lives in Ellicott City, and so does Tom Puwalski, both of whom might be good instructors for you. Kyle Coughlin is a jazz performer, and might teach. (http://www.kylecoughlin.com/)
You'll know after a lesson or two if the instructor is good for you. If you're learning a lot, and your personalities get along, you'll be fine. Good luck to you, and welcome back. -Lori
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Brenda ★2017
Date: 2008-02-06 18:55
At first you may not need a "best of the best" teacher to teach you your basics. You could be paying a lot more than necessary otherwise.
In my experience I had an idea what I wanted to do but the teacher would steer me in directions that turned out to be useful to having a well-rounded foundation. I don't accept a teacher who arrogantly thinks he/she has all the answers and that you must do things their way all the time. It's a good idea to follow their line of teaching, but if they start putting their foot down about something they better be able to explain the reasoning behind it. You are a different person and will sometimes interpret things differently.
This BBoard has proven to be a fine standard against which you can judge a teacher. The more impartial information you have the more you'll find that your teacher really does know his stuff, or not.
After having four teachers I can say that if you feel stifled, not listened to and frustrated after several lessons then it's time to move to the next on your list. A good teacher will make you work hard and get you into the uncomfortable zone, but will verbally reward you for any genuine improvements and make you feel you've succeeded. They'll guide you to opportunities to play in bands, contests and otherwise use and improve your skills in new contexts. They'll expose you to other players.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Chalumeau Joe
Date: 2008-02-07 01:04
Thank you for the responses. I'll start contacting some of the names that have been provided (don't be surprised if you hear from me).
Mike
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: claritoot26
Date: 2008-02-07 15:11
You're welcome, Joe.
I agree with Brenda, that you won't need a big symphony-caliber teacher just yet (although, you might contact one of them to make a recommendation for a good teacher in your area). They cost twice as much or more as a very competent teacher who might not have made a big name for him/herself yet. It's worth the price for a budding professional, but you would have to decide if it's worth the price for you. Another resource I thought of for you is Marguerite Baker, the clarinet prof. at Towson University. She is involved in ICA, and knows most of the clarinet players around and would be able to make a good recommendation. Good luck to you.
Lori
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Jaysne
Date: 2008-02-07 15:39
I think the only things you need to look for is somebody who is interested in helping you learn what you want to learn, and who is able to teach you at your level, not his.
Many teachers teach at their own level, in their own words, without realizing that they need to be at the student's level, and teach them with words the student understands.
Last year I took jazz piano and I told my teacher up front what I wanted to learn. But after a couple of months I noticed that he was teaching me what he wanted to teach me, and not what I wanted to learn. I kept on reminding him what I wanted to do, but he kept on returning to his stuff. I then realized that he didn't know how to teach me what I wanted to know, so I terminated the lessons.
He came highly recommended, too (and he was a stunning player). So remember a recommendation doesn't necessarily mean that he's going to be a good teacher for you. The only way to find out if a teacher is right for you is to take a few lessons and see how it goes.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: 53engine
Date: 2008-02-07 17:40
I agree with most of the suggestions in this thread, but let me add, that it is mandatory that the teacher play the clarinet during the lesson. How can a newcomer to Rose, or JeanJean, for example, develop a musical concept of this wonderful music without hearing it played as it should be played? Having a teacher that sits and beats a pencil against the stand to keep time for you is no better than a metronome. You need to have the music in your head in order to play it.
By the way, I understand that at the advanced Conservatory levels, teachers often don't play during a lesson, but I don't think that we are talking about that level of playing in this thread.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
