 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Laurie
Date: 2001-01-13 23:36
Hi all...
I'm ready to crack. Literally.. Within the last 2 weeks, my band director has moved me up from 2nd clarinet, to 1st chair, put me in Orchestra, and in Pit Orchestra. I love it. I've worked for the past 2 years for this moment.. this was my goal, it's all i wanted. - I have all the solo's and he thinks soo highly of me. He wants me to do All State, he wants me to do Gemini - He believes in me 110%.
Everything my Band director wants though.. my private teacher dosn't want me to do. My band director wants me to take an All State audition - I don't even think my private teacher wants me to do a NYSMMA 6. I was all excited at my last lesson, and was telling me how i'm playing first, and how i'm in the top 3 finally, and he just said.. "Has your director ever heard you play.. like solo.." Yeah, I laughed then, but deep down that comment really hurt. I do have problems with rythem. But I am trying really hard and working on it. I do try.
I asked my band director why he put me up, why he's pushing me so hard.. and he just said, "Laur beacuse you have the ability- you have what it takes". And I don't know.. Do I ? I have always felt confident and secure in my playing, but lately I havn't...I'm scared, i'm insecure, and I hate it. Should I listen to my director, or should I listen to my private teacher ? I'm torn.. I don't know what to do.
My band director gave me a new teacher's number.. She has a doctoral degree in clarinet playing, and said that I should try to get a lesson with her.- See what she says. If I like her, switch. I called her and left a message.. I don't want to switch teachers just to hear what I want to hear. My other band director said I could start taking lessons at NYU. I'm not sure on that one tho, that would me a trip to NYC once a week.. One problem is that I also play Flute, and Sax. My current teacher is a Woodwind specialist - so, if i had a question or needed help with my jazz stuff, i could ask him.. If I switch teachers, I won't have that..
So I don't know.. Am I being too sensitive to my private teacher's comments ? Should I just not do all state, concentrate on everything else? ( jazz, orchestra, pit orchestra, gemini auditions, college auditions, summer programs etc.. I'm going to CYO! ) All State isn't really that important to me.. On a college application does it look any different if I do an grade 6 - or an all state audition ? My current private teacher pushes me a lot.. I'm working on impossible music.. At times I struggle.The rose studies were" too easy", so i'm working on Cavallini's 30 caprices, I'm on 15 ~ Should I take a lesson with a new teacher ? Mabye stay with my current teacher, yet time to time take a lesson with another teacher ?
My director told me - No one should stop me from doing what I love.. but how do I know if my private teacher is stopping me or doing what's best for me ?
Sorry so long.. if you're still reading this, Thank You...
laur.
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Author: Gary Van Cott
Date: 2001-01-14 00:25
I think you should take the lesson. Then you will have a basis of comparison between the teachers. What grade are you in? That would be a factor in your decision.
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Author: jbutler
Date: 2001-01-14 00:35
I agree with Gary. What is the problem with you taking clarinet from the new teacher and stay on sax and flute with the other? Aside from the cost, I couldn't see anything wrong with the arrangement. When I was in university, I took lessons from different teachers. I had my woodwinds prof at the university and then I had my other "guru" that taught me what I really wanted to learn. (I was into jazz and the winds prof at the university, of course, thought jazz was a vulgar idiom at best.) The woodwinds professor at the university knew what I was doing and didn't really approve, but he couldn't tell me how to spend my money or time so long as I completed his assignments satisfactorily. Although to get back at me he moved my lesson time to 8:00 a.m on Mondays my Senior year!
John
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Author: Laurie
Date: 2001-01-14 01:14
Gary,
I am a Junior in High School, 11th grade.
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Author: Anji
Date: 2001-01-14 03:08
Um, just who works for whom?
The cross direction from instructors can't help, but you're the player.
A good teacher doesn't like to clean up other instructor's dirty dishes, but should be supportive.
To be blunt, if my teacher was derogating my playing I would dump her like a bad habit. Negative reinforcement leads to meek students.
Time maybe to audition more teachers, it's not just you that is being interviewed.
anji
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Author: D'arce
Date: 2001-01-14 05:43
I agree that you are having a problem. I had the same problem and i am a senior in high schol. Do not let your band director pressure you into anything. It will wear you out. Stay with your instructor though
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Author: Gene Wie
Date: 2001-01-14 07:55
Don't let any person, regardless of pedigree, try to tell you what you can or cannot accomplish in music. They can support you or not support you, but regardless, *you* ultimately make the decisions on how to grow as a player (and who will guide you in that respect).
How anyone that claims to be a teacher can permit themselves to ridicule their own students is beyond me. That doesn't provide any form of support or learning experience.
If you practice hard and hit those auditions, you'll gain experience in such matters. How you end up doing will depend on the effort you've expended to learn the materials. After completing the process, you'll have learned more about it, and be able to (hopefully) use it to your advantage in future auditions. Whether you "make the grade" or not is a moot point. You're not going to know until you go and *do it* will you know if your musical and technical skills are up to par.
From there, you can then say "I need to work on x and y and z in order to meet the standards," or "I did x and y well and I made the grade, but the adjudicators have let me know I need to work on z to be a better musician."
Yes, your band director is pressuring you in a way. By placing you at the top of your performing ensembles, he is giving you the opportunity to refine your solo playing in order to achieve the level of technical and musical skill in order to compete in the field at all-state.
But I digress...
...it's much easier to tell a student "you won't cut it" and not have to help them.
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Author: PAM
Date: 2001-01-14 08:12
The role of the lesson teacher is to identify problems with your playing and do his best to help you correct them. Therefore his job is to criticize what is wrong, not to praise what is right. Obviously it is important to stroke people, but fixing problems is the number one role of the lesson teacher. Your lesson teacher knows your playing better than anyone else. Obviously you have progressed as a player while studying with this person, so he must be an effective teacher. At the same time, he believes that you need to improve more before you start to compete at higher levels. He could be right. Competing for All-State and playing grade 6 solos would make your lessons oriented towards preparing pieces and would take away from improving you fundamentally as a player. You admit to rhythm problems, so obviously you agree with your lesson teacher in part.
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Author: Dee
Date: 2001-01-14 12:39
Yes your teacher's job is to identify and help you correct problems.
No your teacher should not put you down.
If they can't do one without the other, it's time to consider auditioning another teacher.
For example, your teacher should have said something more to the effect of "Congratulations, let's hit those rhythm issues so you can really shine."
Only you can decide how many different things you have the time to do. While the decision is yours, it is appropriate for a teacher (older & wiser head so to speak) to suggest you consider what you can really do.
Your teacher should be focusing on technique and musicianship in general so if he/she doesn't work on the specific things for all these contests & competitions, that doesn't mean he/she is a bad teacher. It's up to you to apply what you are taught.
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Author: Laurie H.
Date: 2001-01-14 12:59
Hello, I'm new here and just read your post. I had the same situation in junior high school. My old teacher was very conservative and didn't want me to move up too quickly because he thought I would be overwhelmed by the difficulty of the music and be disappointed when I didn't do well. I took that lesson with another teacher and I made the switch. The new teacher was honest about my abilities and we spent an entire summer working out some technical problems I was having. I eventually made AllState the final two years in junior high, every year in high school, played in community honors groups and played Atlanta's youth orchestra for three years. With the help of the new teacher, most of my AllState ventures and others were first or second chair as well as the youth symphony. I do not say this to brag but to let you know that the most important decision you have to make is how hard are you willing to work? Will you be able to handle it when someone criticizes your playing? Are you willing to work through the more difficult passages? You will be spending many hours in practice and the new teacher will expect a great deal of commitment. Mine helped me become a better, more confident player. He also knew when he could teach me no more and sent me to another teacher. If you are willing to do these things, there is no reason to stay with a teacher who does not believe in your abilities. You have only one chance to do these things at this time in your life. Will you be able to look back when you're in your thirties and be happy with your decision? I can.
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Author: Anji
Date: 2001-01-14 13:11
As a former software coach, and manager of an integration team I would immediately fire any instructor who belittled a client.
Why on earth should a teen or pre-teen be subjected to such treatment?
Would anyone stay at a beautiful, clean hotel with cold or rude service?
Don't give me any of this "Forging character" or "Boot camp is tough" baloney.
As a former kid myself, I can recall how much I wanted to please. Disparaging remarks belong in the movies, not the classroom.
anji
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Author: Ginny
Date: 2001-01-14 16:36
I believe one should switch teachers periodically anyway. Get a new view every few years! Try the new teacher, if it seems good quit the other. No reason to 'burn bridges' either. Thank them nicely, and say that you hope they will welcome you back in the future should this happen.
I agree that discouragement is to be discouraged.
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Author: Allison
Date: 2001-01-14 17:43
If you are feeling good about the new developments, go all the way...get a new teacher too. The new teacher will give you a fresh and separate perspective from the band and orchestra things. Because the teacher will not know you, they will be giving you an honest opinion (that is unclouded by past politics and history) and will be able to give direction on how to improve from here. Its great to be excited about your accomplishments but keep it in perspective when you go to your lesson. You go to the lesson to improve your playing, climbing the ladder and getting new opportunities is only a result of improved playing.
Most importantly...get the best teacher you can even if it costs more than you can really afford. Its worth it!
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Author: Stefano
Date: 2001-01-15 10:11
Dear Laurie,
I understand your difficulties.
If I can try to help you making your decisions, please consider that:
1) You should always try to get the "best" teacher;
2) However, you can obtain 1 above only if you have some experience on teachers and lessons; therefore,
3) Unless you really trust the guidance of somebody, it would be necessary for you to "shop around" from time to time (once or twice a year) to experience the teaching methods and approch of different instructors.
Getting to my personal comment, I can only say that my first impression is that your teacher is looking to teach you clarinet with a "long-term" view, while the band director is working on a more "immediate" plan. None of them are bad or good.
The point is (and I have experienced this), that during your years of learning you need both approches:
You need some immediate rewards and satisfaction in order to get you going with entusiasm; but you should also work hard on less fun exercises and practice to develop a strong basis for the future.
This balance of two different aims is difficult to find, because sometime one contradicts the other, and because (fortunately) you get better as you go on, and so your goals and determination go forward (or slow down, if you ask too much from yourself).
In general, it may be good to have more than one teacher or practising experience (e.g. your private teacher and your school teacher; playing in a classical ensemble or orchestra and jamming in a jazz group; etc.).
Although time consuming, it can enrich your experience, if you can handle it.
And one last thing.... if you decide to have more than one teacher you should not tell one about the other: it is true that they may have a different learning program for you, but you need to be able to discuss with them "why" they make you do a certain thing and "what" they want to make you achieve. Then you should be able to judge by yourself both the results and what you prefer (always depending on your goals). If you tell a teacher that your are taking lessons with others, his/her behaviour may be biased.
Take care.
Stefano
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Author: Beth
Date: 2001-01-15 18:58
Laurie,
Would you a prom dress with out trying on several before finding the right match? I don't mean to trivialize this, it takes time to build a trusting relationship with a teacher. But I went through this experience with my daughter. All her various teachers agreed, she has natural talent and ability on the oboe and she needed an oboe techniques teacher most urgently. (Had to unlearn clarinet habits, learn oboe technique etc.) Well we live in rural VA on the eastern shore and finding an oboe teacher is very hard. We found one in Maryland. She was very good, but not for my daughter. Her 1st teacher was very traditional, my way or the high way. I actually saw my child start to loose interest in any music (my child doesn't handle heavy handed authority well.) So we looked for a second, and found one in Delaware, but again that didn't work out. Well for our 3rd go we found an instructor in VA Beach. And that one took. (And yes, she was the most expensive one when you take into account bridge toll, time and gas - but as a parent I don't mind the expense because I wanted what was right for my daughter - I bet your parents feel the same way ). I worried about it because her teacher plays in one of the military bands. But her teaching method is great for Kelsey. Yes she critizes and corrects but its done in such a way that Kelsey isn't embarrassed by her mistakes and she takes the time to answer her every question and explain things, sometimes several differnt ways before Kelsey understands it and never ever belittles her efforts. As a result we've seen Kelsey grow tremendously as a player. The point of all this? If an instructor makes YOU feel uncomfortable, most likely that person is not the right teacher for you. Don't let anyone tell you that they're belittling your skills to make you a "better" player. And remember, you may have to shop around and try out many teachers before you get the right fit. Good Luck
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Author: Allen Cole
Date: 2001-01-16 04:40
I can't remember a time when I told a student NOT to try out for something. I recommend that you listen to your band director, and ask your teacher what specifics his comment was addressing.
If your instructor's comments were in reference to your rhythm, I can see where it would be a problem when you participate in so many things. If you can't count, you can't sight-read like you need to. Even so, your teacher should be specific about his concerns.
Consider visiting the other teacher even if just for a second opinion.
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