 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: Erika
Date: 2001-05-25 01:13
My clarinet teacher that I have been studing with is moving out of state :( He wanted to see me end up with one of two teachers after he left. The one teacher is a retired Cleveland Orchestra Eb clarinetist, and the other is currently in the Cleveland Orchestra. The retired teacher is only going to charge me 35$ an hour, while the current orchestra member is going to charge me 60$ an hour. I can afford either, although 35$ sounds better. The retired member has been known to be a good teacher, but he is older and not as exciting. The current orchestra member is younger and more exciting, and I really liked what he had to say about the methods that he was going to use to teach me. I am only a high school student, but I take clarinet seriously and want to possibly major in the field when I graduate in a few years. Which teacher should I pick?
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Ginny
Date: 2001-05-25 03:22
We have a saying around the house. If you can't tell which is better then you need more information.
Sixty is alot per hour! $1,300 more per year, if you take a lesson each week.
in less than two years that's a decent clarinets price! Better be really exciting.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: ron b
Date: 2001-05-25 04:09
Erika -
Sixty-five smackers would get me pretty excited too :]
- ron b -
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: mw
Date: 2001-05-25 05:51
The Voice of experience brings a lot of excitement --- it's all in the listening!
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: jerry
Date: 2001-05-25 11:43
Have you interviewed each of them? I wish I could afford $60/hr.............I would take the $35/hr and buy a new clarinet with the other half (all things being equal).
Good luck.
~ jerry
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Charlie Coltman
Date: 2001-05-25 12:46
I agree with everyone else. At this stage of your musical career, go for the older teacher.
1. He has more experience as a teacher.
2. The price is right.
3..A new clarinet with the money saved is a great idea.
4. I have heard that the older gentleman is an excellent teacher.
Good luck!
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Anji
Date: 2001-05-25 13:43
The retired player is less likely to cancel lessons due to performance pressures.
Old dogs know all the tricks.
All things being equal, $35 for an hour is inexpensive.
Then again, I pay a premium for my lessons because my teacher gets so much out of me, and clearly pays attention to my progress.
I would recommend a trial of three weeks with each (every other week with both of them for a month and 1/2), then decide.
anji
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Meri
Date: 2001-05-25 16:28
Try two or three lessons with each of your teachers, and see which one you like better.
See if you can negotiate the cost of the lesson with the more expensive teacher though, especially if you are paying for lessons yourself. A good teacher would. I'm guessing you are probably a high school student, so this may be a good idea.
I know it may be possible for you to negotiate your cost per lesson, because I did with mine. If you give it your best at the negotiated fee, then they may not care that you are paying less per lesson than other students. Teachers are more motivated to teach a good student at a lower rate than a mediocre one at full rate!
Meri
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: mw
Date: 2001-05-25 17:21
Meri said:
"See if you can.negotiate the cost of the lesson with the more expensive teacher though, especially if you are paying for lessons yourself. A good teacher would. "
--------------------------------------------
The cost that a teacher charges has _nothing_ to do with how GOOD they are.
No doubt some teachers can afford to be flexible in pricing; some can give the equivalent of full or partial scholarships; some are fixed or rigid in their pricing.
No matter what they charge ... the price will never determine the overall quality, excellence or effectiveness as a *Teacher*.
Pricing can be a (somewhat) subjective attribute, particularly from the student's vantage point.
Best,
mw
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Dave
Date: 2001-05-25 20:38
Study with Johnson, he's a good teacher and has had a great career. He sat next to Marcellus for Gods sakes, and he played under Szell for 12 years. Thats enough in my book. He is still playing very well. I'd go with him and forget about the new guy.
Dave
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: mw
Date: 2001-05-25 22:36
WOW, I had wondered but didn't have the time to lookit it up. This retired clarinetist is a a real muckity-muck ... he has no need to toot his (own) horn ... its all in black 'n white!
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Kim
Date: 2001-05-26 00:24
Try "auditioning" each teacher and see which you like better. Whose ever methods you like more, is the better teacher. It shouldn't be money that matters at this point, but where you go as a musician. Your success should be the most important--not cost.
Personally, I'd choose the younger teacher. You kinda answered your own question. "The current orchestra member is younger and more exciting, and I really liked what he had to say about the methods that he was going to use to teach me. " However, it is your decision.
Good luck and have fun,
Kim
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Bob R
Date: 2001-05-30 18:53
Try to Judge by quality of the teaching if you can. Maybe 1 take a trial lesson from each ? I studied under a glorified PHD once who did very little but listen to my lesson assigments and make corrections. My parents paid 50 bucks for a 1 hour lesson for 6 months, until they finally believed me when I told them I learned very little. I then started taking lessons from a woman who only charged $12.50 for a half hour lesson. She was playing in the Atlanta Ballet symphony and taught me more tons of stuff about the instrument. I really started to advance. So don't judge by money or creditials. Judge by what you learn.
Later
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
