 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Sara
Date: 2001-04-16 03:22
Hey I was just curious, this might be interesting, how many of you go through teachers like water, I mean, I've read a couple of times on this BBS that people like to change teachers every year or so. While at one time, I thought I should try another teachers I decided against it. I've been with the same teacher since I started. While that wasn't that long ago, I think this will be my fourth year, I think I've benefited from sticking with that same teacher, I mean I know his teaching stle and what he expects and he knows my playing style and my personallity, so he can explain things to me to where I can understand them on the first try.
And now that I'm beginning to teach my own students, I can relate to how hard is to teach other people how to do things that are easy to you but really hard for them.
Anyways back to my thing, which do you guys prefer to switch around teachers or stick with one? Oh and actually I have another question would having whose playing time is as short as mine, would you still take lessons from them, I mean if they were good. I mean i consider myself a good player, but one of my students had to quite when her mom found out that I only had 4years of experience behind me. Well, I just thought 'd ask
Sara
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Author: LBH
Date: 2001-04-16 04:16
I decided to switch private teachers about 3 months ago. I started having problems with my old private teacher last year around this time. I got a 99 on my NYSSMA solo and he was mad at me and was like, I'm very dissappointed in you etc. I gave it time, thinking mabye things would get better, but they didn't.. He wouldn't let me take an all state audition this year and he just didn't believe in me.. That hurt, i cannot be with someone that isn't behind me 110% - My band director saw how unhappy I was, and found me a wonderful new teacher. I was kinda weary that things wouldn't work out.. I was with my old teacher for 3 years... but things are better then ever. I have improved and lessons are now again fun. I still take lessons with my old teacher on Jazz - He's a wonderful saxophonist. Different teachers are always good. It's a new outlook on your playing and everone has different insites, and techniques. If you arn't happy switch. You don't know unless you try.
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Author: Mindy
Date: 2001-04-16 12:03
When I started clarinet I was in 5th grade and I was being taught by a college student. I loved taking from her she was really cool. But now she was couldn't come back every wekend to teach me so she had to quit :( I was pretty sad. I then went to Stetson University and was being taught by the professor of oboe (she also plays the clarinet). Then she was saying that I needed to go to the professor of clarinet the she (oboe professor) could only take me so far on the clarinet so...... now I am taking from the professor of clarinet and I love her. I don't like changing teachers. I like staying with one teacher because then I can know what her/he teaching is like. (does that make sence?)
Mindy
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Author: Anji
Date: 2001-04-16 14:05
This whole NYSSMA business chaps my hide.
Are there any other states that drum all the fun out of learning an instrument?
I can't think of anything more dreary than preparing to judge 8 hours of the same intermediate level playing, oog.
As a general notion, THE STUDENT is paying for the instruction.
Maybe in the old East German system, it paid to submit to derision. But that, and caning, have never taken hold in the US educational circle.
Me, I pay for results and to feel good about the instrument. It is clear enough to me when the playing needs help, I don't need a coach running me down.
There are a few factors that lead to a logical change;
The teacher admits to being surpassed by the student.
The teacher frequently cancels lessons, without notice.
The teacher interrupts lessons for other issues (you wouldn't tolerate this anywhere else, no would you?).
Just remember who works for whom.
anji
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Author: Jo
Date: 2001-04-16 16:11
I make it very clear to my students that I do not get paid, nor is it my job to make them a better player. It is my job to give them tools so THEY can make themselves better players.
I see it as going both ways- If the teacher isn't helping you, move on. If the student is showing no dedication and it's becoming a waste of time, drop them. (I feel both must be put under large amounts of consideration.)
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Author: Ginny
Date: 2001-04-16 16:55
I don't see this as a 'one-size-fits-all' issue. Personally, I have stayed too long with some teachers, but never left too soon.
As to the post above, I feel that a great teacher is also a great motivator. I suppose some studio instructors cater only to the aspiring pros...and do not need to do anything along the inspirational line. However, I certainly expect my children's teachers, (and have worked hard to do this too, as a parent) to inspire and excite them about learning, as well as provide the technical where with all.
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Author: Ken Shaw
Date: 2001-04-16 17:44
Sara -
You can learn a lot from one teacher or from many teachers. Ask yourself how you like your present teacher's playing and teaching style? Do you feel your progress is better for having taken lessons?
A good teacher will welcome a discussion of where you are and where you're going -- of your weaknesses and strenghths and what you want from him/her.
The sign of a good teacher is that no two students sound the same, but they all sound good. This shows that each student is making his/her own sound rather than copying the teacher.
I spent four summers at Interlochen and studied with four separate teachers. Two of them I learned a tremendous amount from. The other two insisted that I play in a way that didn't suit me, or at least I though so at the time. These days, I realize that I picked up a lot from them all.
The best teacher is the one that helps you do what you want to do, but also pushes you to reach a higher level -- to make you do thing's you couldn't do before. Therefore, the best teachers don't necessarily make you comfortable. If you get too comfortable, you probably need more challenges.
There's no right or wrong. It's all in doing your best, with the best help possible.
Best regards.
Ken Shaw
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Author: Dee
Date: 2001-04-16 21:23
I wouldn't change just for the sake of change. There should be a fairly specific reason to change (i.e. they've taken you as far as they are capable, personality clash, etc) as long term relationships are usually more beneficial than "teacher hopping." However one can learn a great deal from different teachers but I feel that you can get the needed variety by attending clinics and master classes while staying with your long term teacher.
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Author: Mike Irish
Date: 2001-04-17 04:18
something a person may think about is if they have learned all they can learn from one person, it might be time to change instructors......
every person, will have different thoughts and ideas.....
every person will be on a different level with different areas....
one may push classical, and be good with jazz, but be lacking in marches..
another may be into marches, and lacking in Jazz or classicl....
soak up every thing you can with your instructors, learn all you can...
MIke
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Author: Daniel Bouwmeester
Date: 2001-04-17 15:00
I've always thought that one teacher was sufficient to learn technique. but that different opinions are usefull for the music.
Anyway that's my philosophy. I have a regular teacher, and I have four unregular teachers. I'm lucky because all five persons are extremely respected clarinetists and teachers, and I always respect their opinions. I take what I want from it, and then make my ideas. Records are usefull also when you want to have another good opinion. It's cheaper than flying all around Europe to go to people. But, I guess some a really worth travelling for.
If you are just starting clarinet or restarting, I guess the important thing is that you have a patient teacher, which will not disgust you from it, and make you improve, by making you enjoy it.
You may take lessons with him, until you feel he's not got anything to say anymore.
Ïf a teacher says to you... that's perfect ! Then change teacher, and work with him until he's says perfect again.
The teachers I work with will probably never say perfect to me, I may change teachers, not because I can't learn from them, but because I would argue too much. And we would end up killing ourselves.
But that's another business. The better you get, the harder it becomes.
:-) Dan
(Geneva, Switzerland)
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2001-04-17 15:49
Before taking from my last professor I went to hear him play. I was absolutely blown away by his remarkable tone and performing style. I knew right away he had something I wanted to learn. The advantage I had with him was that he was a fairly well-known soloist with tons of credentials and also taught at a local university. We met through mutual music friends and everyone had high respect for him.
I stopped taking from him when I felt overwhelmed with the load he put on me for practicing. I just couldn't do 4-5 hours a day of practicing and continue my schedule in other areas. But, I'll never forget the great things he taught me and I still try to build upon those today.
A great teacher is a valuable asset to a clarinetist. It's such a hard instrument to master. Those teachers can help us get "across the bridge" with things we just couldn't do on our own.
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Author: Daniel
Date: 2001-04-18 06:33
I think for the first several years of instruction, it's good to stay with only a couple of different teachers.
My junior high years (6th through 8th) i was at the mercy of whoever my band director hired to teach clarinet. I had a new teacher every year. I studied with my third teacher for my freshman year, then studied with my current teacher as well as a former student of his (she had gotten her degree many years earlier). I studied with her for 3 years and with my current teacher for those same three years and the past three years (my first three years of college).
I feel the first 3 years aren't as important as far as WHO you study with, as long as they make sure you get the basics down. The high school years should be stuck with the one good teacher (if possible) to solidify aspects of one's playing: technique (mostly, as we pretty much spend the first semester on all-state etudes, and the second semester on concert music and solo&ensemble).
Then in college and beyond, it depends on the person. I think a change every few years (3-4) is good. After this year i am transferring to UNT to finish my undergrad and study with Dr Scott. Then i will stay for my masters (or part of it) and study with Dr Gillespie. Then beyond that i'm not sure yet. In the mean time, i've taken lessons with various other people, and will continue to do so, to broaden my ideas of clarinet (and my other instruments), and get a better feel of the world of music.
I'm a bit of a staunch when it comes to junior high lessons. I don't believe students dhould be doing solo&ensemble and UIL Concert & Sightreading competitions and Region band, etc... until highschool. Pretty much everything they learn, they learn in their first year, beyond that it's Region band music and then Solo, then Band music. And what they DO learn in 6th grade, they are usually rushed through because of the number of students and usually only one teacher (all the schools i teach for havd three directors, one WW, one Brass and one Perc.)
I feel the first two years (preferably 3) should be spent teaching basic principals of music, making sure students are learning proper technique on their instrument and not being drilled through too-hard pieces of band music just to make the band directors look good. If atleast two years were spent doing basics, they could have a better Symphonic Band.
But then again, that would be in a perfect world, where kids were going to stick with clarinet for more than a semester or year. And willing to put forth some effort.
As for my personal teaching. I'll take anyone that's willing to fork out the money and that pays on time. If they're willing to put some time and energy into the lessons, i'm willing to do the same. But if someone isn't practicing or even trying, then they can pay me for supervised practice and i'll just tell them what to play and it's their money they're wasting.
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Author: David Kinder
Date: 2001-04-18 07:22
Sara,
I wanted to write some ideas about you teaching your own students. First, that's GREAT! I wish I could do that right now. (No time = much later in life)
Are you teaching elementary school kids? That's who I would focus on myself (and I've been playing for 12+ years.) My technicality just won't help many aspiring high school students.
Do you help make music fun? That will make more of a lasting inpact on the student than "I learned to play a G perfectly in tune!".
Do they like being taught by you? Do they respect you? Honestly, I think that if you can inspire a young person's mind and be a role model for them, you're doing much more than just teaching clarinet. You're having an impact on their life.
This is the way I'd like to teach elementary kids, if I could. If the parents say that "you don't have enough experience", then the parents are looking at their 10 year olds and expecting them to be Mozarts for their $15 per half hour sessions. They're also the parents that get in fights at little league baseball games!
Inspire young minds, and you'll never know how much of a difference you'll make in their lives!
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Author: Cass
Date: 2001-04-18 14:03
I like what Dee said about not changing just for the sake of changing but only for a good reason. When I decided to take some lessons again I made a mistake with my first choice. I signed up for some lessons at a music store. They were by the rote lessons where they were giving everybody the same set of books. The books were meant for kids.
They really did not know what to do with an adult coming in who already can play. The lessons were boring me to sleep, too slow paced and elementary. The teacher was not creative or had no flexibility in the program to deal with someone who didn't fit in their set plan. All they did was start me in one of the last books in the series instead of the first one.
I got the feeling they thought if you're an adult and not already a great player then why bother, but who cares, we will be happy to take your money. I quit there after my first month of paid for lessons were finished. No regrets because I was not going to learn anything there.
I got a better teacher but he was too far away to go. I was sorry to leave him and said so but with two kids who were preschool then I could not be driving an hour to a lesson. It was just too much.
Finally I found a woman in my neighborhood who retired from teaching. I talked her into giving me some lessons which she was glad to do because she said she was bored with being retired anyway. I am so glad I found her. She pushes me but in a positive way, and she is an experienced teacher and good communicator. Changing teachers was the right thing to do, but changing now would be the wrong move because this teacher and I are on the same wave length. My two cents, if you find a good teacher don't give them up for anything!
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Author: Bob Rausch
Date: 2001-04-20 20:45
I think it depends on how your students progress. I teach beginners up through High School. Some of my students could take from me for years and I would still have something to teach them. However, there are others that I know I will have to refer to someone else once they progress to a certain point. There are some students that are just gifted need something more than I can teach them.
In my opinion its best to stay with one teacher as long as possible. Remeber teachers don't turn students into master clarinet players. Teachers, give students the tools to become master clarinet players.
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