 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Susie
Date: 2001-12-13 14:55
I mentioned in a post a few months ago that I've started to play the clarinet again after a 20 year hiatus. I realized quickly that I would benefit from a teacher but it took awhile to find someone where schedules, etc. would work out.
I'm going to meet with her on Saturday to talk and it occured to me that other than cost/lesson times/etc. I'm not sure if there are things I should try to find out from her... questions I need to ask... etc.
Any thoughts? I just don't want to miss asking something and regret it 6 wks later.
thanks,
Susie
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Author: Bob Arney
Date: 2001-12-13 15:19
Susie, I am more or less in the same boat and the first question I asked was:
1. Have you ever worked with an undisciplined adult who hates to practice scales, etc.? Bob A
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Author: Emms
Date: 2001-12-13 16:40
What do you want from a teacher? To take exams, learn for pleasure? What sort of pupils does she normally teach? How advanced are her pupils? Do you want to learn your own material, or learn what she recommends? How good do you want to become and can she get you there? How much practise does she expect you to do? Can you do this? Do you both get on? Do you want a teacher who you can get on with in a friendly way or would you rather have a teacher who is more business like and will push you on? Has she taught many adults before? What will she expect from you? Will she need to accept the fact that sometimes you will not have as much time to practise during the week due to other responsibilities?
Have a really good think about what you're after. She may not fill all your criteria, but you should have a good idea if it will work. Maybe she will offer you a trial period in which to get to know each other.
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Author: Susie
Date: 2001-12-13 17:43
Thank you Bob and Emms,
I don't know if I was just drawing a blank but your comments help me think about more questions. I don't know if she's ever taught an adult (not high school/college aged) student before and I hadn't thought about her expectations... she has every right to have them but you're right in recognizing that there are things I'm not going to be able to do in the same way.
Thanks,
Susie
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Author: Bob Arney
Date: 2001-12-13 18:20
Good On Yah! Emms. At my age I had to print all those out as I couldn't remember them afterwards. A "Senior Moment" that seems to get bigger. Ha! Ha!
Bob A
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Author: Suzanne
Date: 2001-12-13 21:50
To me it is always important to know what their "philosophy of music" is, for ex., do they approach the instrument from a more technical, motor-functiony sort of way, or from a more musical, big-picture type of way?, and find someone who has a similar philosophy. Or, if you seek someone with a different philosophy, be prepared to try things that you might not agree with or that might sound crazy.
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Author: Emms
Date: 2001-12-14 10:10
Bob, those scales are important!! Sometimes we have to persevere at the things we hate doing to make the nice things better. Heard the phrase 'a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down'? Try rewarding yourself with something everytime you learn a scale. Please don't ask me what to reward yourself with!!!
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Author: ron b
Date: 2001-12-15 06:44
I don't know whether you can find this out by direct questioning, but I'd definitely try to determine if the prospective teacher has a keen sense of humor 
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Author: C@p
Date: 2001-12-15 14:23
After a 35 year layoff, I found an instructor through a referral of my a very well respected clarinet tech.
I do not take lessons as much as I go to her occasionally for consultation and technique check up. By playing in a community band with competent clarinet players who also have taught in their day, I can get somewhat constant attention although it is not the same as getting a half hour of dedicated attention.
As an teen or pre teen, I would guess that most people would need the weekly visit to have them maintain the discipline of practicing. While sometimes "discilpined teenager" is not an oxymoron, most kids need that disciplined routine of going to an instructor once a week.
I found that what has been recommended on this board for old guys to get back into playing and practicing is to use certain works, such as Klose, Rose, and Lazerus. My first thought was to go to the music store and buy these currently suggested methods. My second thought was to look to see what I already had and I found that these were the same books I worked on in the 1950's.
It seems to me that while an adult would need mechanical instruction once in a while, most of the work has to be done in solitary and continual practice of the old tried and true music methods which still might be around the house if you have any instict for pack-rattery.
If anyone has a more informed opinion, please forget where you read this.
C@p
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Author: allencole
Date: 2001-12-16 08:34
I teach quite a few adults and like C@p's idea of getting involved in a community band. This is a very good forum to get back in shape, and also to expose certain necessities that many players don't initially acknowledge.
When shopping for a teacher, simply ask about their curriculum and tell them about your needs. Don't try to get philosophical or put on airs about what you think you already know. Just ask them how they would address your goals.
Once you select a teacher, place yourself in his/her hands. Don't micromanage, and don't try to sidestep your basics. The teacher knows that you're an adult who has specific goals and limited practice time. He/she will also see needs that you are unaware of--or have previously ignored. Most teachers who accept adult students will be patient if the student makes at least some visible effort, and doesn't sabotage the project by failing to address prerequisite skills.
If after a couple of months you are dissatisfied, present your concerns to the teacher, and listen to what he/she has to say. If you have given their program an honest try but are still not satisfied, it might be time to try a different teacher.
Good luck in your endeavor.
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