 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Maruja
Date: 2009-12-13 14:39
I'm moving house and want to find a new clarinet teacher. From B boarders' experience, what are the sort of things I should bear in mind when choosing whom to go for?
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Author: clariniano
Date: 2009-12-14 01:19
If your teacher's good, stick with them if possible. I used to travel one and a half hours one way for a really good teacher by public transit about every couple of weeks for 2 1/2 years until he quit teaching to sell real estate when I first started studying, there was a closer teacher 20 min away.
When I first started looking for a teacher (in the very late 1990s to early 2000s), I asked the university music faculty. Well the person I was hoping for wasn't available, but a good friend of his was. I've also gotten calls from the Royal Conservatory of Music when they ask for names of teachers of students who consistently earn high marks on the exam.
One thing you should not go on is price, especially the ones who charge really low rates to try to attract students. Some teachers with moderate to moderately high fees may have a lot of nice extras that are especially helpful to advancing students, like a professional on-site pianist or the abillity to record performances on audio and/or video.
Meri
Please check out my website at: http://donmillsmusicstudio.weebly.com and my blog at: http://clariniano.wordpress.com
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2009-12-14 02:49
Take a trial lesson. Look for someone that has experience, the type of personality you can get along with and are comfortable, works on all aspects of clarinet playing, tone, technique, musicianship, intonation etc. assigns you a balanced program, etudes, solos, scales, duets maybe etc., demanding but understanding of your schedule and ambitions. And of course, affordability. ESP http://eddiesclarinet.com
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Author: Nessie1
Date: 2009-12-14 08:05
You don't say much about your situation in your post (are you dependent on others to pay for and get you to lessons, in which case a certain amount depends on them? And if not, what can you afford to pay in money and time? What are your aims with your playing? Where will you be living? etc) but in general I would say a good teacher is worth travelling a bit further to and paying a bit more for, even if it means that you can't have lessons quite so often, as long as you are prepared to put in the work between lessons.
A trial or consultation lesson before you decide to stick with a teacher for any length of time is a good idea. If you are keen to take exams or aiming for university or college as a clarinettist ask any potential teachers about their success rates and experience in this area. If you have particular types of music which you are interested in, does the teacher share this interest? Most of all, as Ed says, does he or she just seem like someone you could get on with?
If you have time, one way that you may find a good indicator as to a teacher's standards is to go to a local competitive music festival and try and talk to the clarinettists who do well there and their parents. Ask who they learn with and, if the same name comes up several times, the chances are that that teacher is worth approaching.
Vanessa.
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Author: maskedridersean
Date: 2009-12-16 04:01
If you have a good relationship with your teacher, you may ask them for a recommendation.
One of my teachers told me that the law of diminishing returns kicks in at about 3 years. At a certain point under his tutelage he encouraged me to change teachers. We still kept in touch and I went to him for occasional lessons but I changed teachers and the different perspective helped me.
On the other hand some teachers take losing students very badly. So use caution...
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Author: Maruja
Date: 2009-12-16 15:52
Thanks to all replyers - I will take your advice on board. I think you're right that one sometimes just has to move on....
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Author: chorusgirl
Date: 2009-12-16 18:24
This is a great question, and one that I am struggling with right now as well.
I'm curious - what are everyone's thoughts on the following:
We contacted a music studio inquiring about clarinet teachers, were told about a great one they had there and given a rundown of the fellow's accomplishments.
We arrived early for the lesson, and the teacher was practicing his horn in the back room - a trombone. So, when we went in, I casually commented "Oh, so you are a low brass guy?!" and he said he was, trombone was his instrument.
When we called the studio initially, I was quite clear that we were looking for a CLARINET teacher, and I was clear that my child needed someone who could address the issues that I - also a music teacher, but not a clarinetist - could not address, like mouthpieces, reeds, alternate fingerings, embouchure, etc.
I can teach him to read music - to sight read, to play solo pieces, etc - anything that any GOOD music teacher could teach - but I do NOT know the fine points of clarinet playing.
I was very disappointed, to say the least. I am certain that I was clear in what I was looking for, and feel deceived.
They had a good lesson - great guy, very affable, seems to be a good musician, but NOT a clarinetist.
Am I over-reacting?
To answer the original question, I think first and foremost, you need to find an instructor that specialized in the instrument you want to study - or at least, in the family of instruments - like woodwinds, brass, etc.
Secondly, I would look into the experience the instructor has with students of your age/ability level. Younger, beginning clarinetists have different needs than a teenaged student who has been playing for many years, and that is different again from the student who is a music major striving for a performance degree.
After that, I would consider availability - my son's second clarinet teacher was often unavailable and would cancel lessons.
Next, I would consider travel distance. If the quality of instruction is really good, then consider traveling further.
Finally, consider cost - it has to be what you can afford, or there will be underlying anxiety, resentment, or who knows what else if it is a financial stress to pay for the lessons.
Good luck, Maruja, with your quest to find a good clarinet teacher. It's not always an easy thing to do.
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Author: OmarHo
Date: 2009-12-17 04:05
You'll have to "audition" numerous teachers, so start by asking around your area to see who's hot and knows not. Check out your local professional orchestras.
A really great teacher is someone who gently pushes and inspires you to improve. Ideally, they should be able to demonstrate exactly what they mean, and if you don't understand, offer multiple approaches to the same problem.
Also, someone who is able to give you the tools you need to solve your own practicing outside of the lesson is great.
Depending on your level, I've found the best teachers to be the ones who are the most critical, and who are patient enough to spend an hour on a few lines of music, if needed.
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