The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Noah
Date: 2002-01-20 19:37
I am trying to write an article about the death of music through this new wave of aristocratic players who find themselves above all others (especially when they are far from it). I want to focus on some of the older school mentalities (an example is of a professor I had. He studied at Eastman in the 40's, and he demanded this respect for his playing which was not all superb, and expected us to worship him. three of the five in his mater class he was giving switched their major from performance after a week with him). But it is not any one age group or heritage. Any thoughts you have I would like to hear. Thanks
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Author: Forest Aten
Date: 2002-01-20 20:52
Noah,
The "aristocratic" mindset you describe is certainly not the norm in my circle of professional musicians and educators.
The three students that you describe, in your post, had other options available. (quiting after a week with any teacher is laughable) The most obvious and easiest way to continue with their formal musical education would have been to change schools and/or teachers. Not all that difficult a process. I certainly question the committment to music embraced by the students described in your post.
"Death of Music"?? Perhaps formal musical training ended for the students you discussed....but music did not end for the majority of the world population. You seem to imply that music is dying worldwide because of some perceived glut of "aristocratic" teachers??
Before you can associate "aristocratic" music teachers causing the "death of music", you need to document that music is dying.
I think your paper may need to add a few paragraphs.
Forest Aten
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Author: RonD
Date: 2002-01-20 21:03
Music is alive and well despite the efforts of anyone that believes they are gods gift to the music community. I think that most of us have a opinion of our skills that is not shared by others. Opininated people have always existed and will continue to make themselves well known to others. It's not worth the effort to even think about things you can't change. Better to concetrate on improving your own skills.
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Author: Sylvain
Date: 2002-01-21 13:55
The aristocrat exists in any field. I am sure all of us have a had a teacher a university prof who thought of himself has a big shot but wasn't. If this discourage you to pursue your dreams then you probably don't want it bad enough.
Out of all the courses I have taken in my university life, music has probably been the least aristocratic, I can;t say the same about physics. But maybe I was just lucky...
-S
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2002-01-21 19:23
I would hesitate to make a judgement with such a small "sampling" of people. And, I think music will survive such "cads." There have always been arrogant human beings at all levels--including students. All are obnoxious and hard to deal with, but unless we push through these personality conficts we will never achieve any level of success at any endeavour--musical or not. After 41 years of playing the clarinet I have found this to be true. I had an arrogant professor and an arrogant student and both were hard to swallow. But, I learned a lot from both situations. To make it biblical, King David was a very capable and gifted young man, but he had to endure the attempts upon his life from a sour, washed up King Saul before becoming the greatest ruler in biblical history. It's part of the maturity process.
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