 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: nahya^^
Date: 2002-09-12 00:01
My instructor seems very old and experienced, and I'm just a high school student. I don't know very much about my instructor, but my friend (sax) only told me that he is good and pretty old.
It's not necessary to ask but is it impolite to ask if he is a professional?
If not, how should I ask so I don't sound impolite?
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Author: ron b
Date: 2002-09-12 01:07
Hi, Nahya
How did you decide to take lessons from this man - beside your friend's opinion?
It is NOT impolite to ask directly what his training, experience is. Based on this information, you (and/or your parent(s)/guardian) then decide whether to hire him (or not). Most, if not all, teachers love to talk about their qualifications
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Author: Michael McC.
Date: 2002-09-12 01:31
If you are paying him, then technically he is a professional. But as far as playing goes, it is acceptable to ask, I think.
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Author: Terry Horlick
Date: 2002-09-12 02:34
"Gee, Mr. Teacher, I'm thinking of becoming a professional musician some day, do you find being a professional musician as rewarding as I imagine it?"
You could just be more direct and ask him if he makes music his profession. When I was taking lessons back in my high school days my instructor used to occasionally tell me to watch to some TV series or other because he had an exceptionally nice solo on Alto Flute or sax or something. You might want to ask your teacher if he is playing someplace so you could go hear him.
If he is offended by the question then perhaps you SHOULD be looking for a new instructor.
A last thought; is it important to you? If he has good information for you why not forget the question and just learn. It probably won't be important to you that he is a professional until you become more advanced... in maybe a few weeks at least!
Just IMHO, Terry
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Author: Karel
Date: 2002-09-12 02:43
Nahya^^, I think it depends on whether you want to take the risk of offending him. Is he teaching you the things you think you need to know? What does he sound like when he plays? What do you mean by professional, because in a way defining what you want to know will determine how much offence your question will cause? Is there locally someone else more "professional" you are interested in? You see, some people might accept "professional" status in someone who teaches at Uni, or a player in a large symphony orchestra, or a member of a successful jazz group. Others would accept that description for a player in a local group, teacher at primary school level, or someone who makes a living busking. Any or all of these may make a good, acceptable instructor for your purposes; some would exceed your present requirements. I would personally find it difficult to ask the question of the man himself, I think I would try to get as much information about him as I could indirectly first. Are there any other students learning to play the clarinet at your school whom you can ask about him? Do you have any reason to doubt his ability to teach you? If you do, he may not be the right man for you no matter what his professional status may be. For example, I live in a small town (20 000) in Australia, and for the past year there has not been a local professionally trained cl. teacher. I have found a self-taught player who is very musical, interested in helping others and interested in learning to impart the correct essentials. He makes an income playing as part of a duo on a regular basis but would never consider calling himself a professional teacher; yet I am very grateful for his help and would hate to try asking him your question (although I know the answer). I am glad you obviously have enough sensitivity to doubt the wisdom of doing so yourself.
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Author: Jim E.
Date: 2002-09-12 04:32
It is always your right to know the training and experience of any professional you hire (and thats what you have done in effect) but it would have been less awkward to ask BEFORE aranging to take lessons with this person. Now it might appear to him that you have second thoughts about your decision.
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Author: Karel
Date: 2002-09-12 07:03
Jim, I think Nahya's question was whether her teacher might be hurt to have his professionalism questioned, not whether Nahya has the right to ask (which she clearly has).
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Author: Gordon (NZ)
Date: 2002-09-12 07:35
What exactly defines 'pro'?
A part time paid teacher? (Main income elswhere)
A part time paid musician? ( " " " )
A full time one of the above? (sole income)
A once upon a time, but not now, one of the above?
A player/teacher who THINKS he/she is hot stuff, paid or not?
And what does it matter?
Plenty outstanding teachers have never been 'pro' players.
Plenty 'pro' players have been lousy teachers.
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Author: d dow
Date: 2002-09-12 12:52
A good pro teacher is probably better than a good pro player who is a lousy teacher.
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Author: bob gardner
Date: 2002-09-12 14:50
at the level you are right now the most important thing is whether he can help you progress. If he is charging you an arm and a leg because of his training that is another story.
the word "Pro" really doesn't mean to much.
I would want someone who loves music, understands the clarinet, and most importantly how to get me from one level, to another, and to love what I'm doing.
remember only you can learn by doing.
Have fun
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Author: Ken Shaw
Date: 2002-09-12 18:19
nahya^^ -
It's easy to ask your teacher about his experience without insulting him or seeming to question whether he's qualified. Simply say something like:
-- I bet you've got some great war stories. I'm curious. Tell me one of them.
-- Who's the favorite person you've played with?
-- What was the funniest gig you ever played?
Everybody likes to talk about himself. You just have to get him started.
Best regards.
Ken Shaw
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Author: Michael Blinn
Date: 2002-09-13 00:16
To Karel,
In an earlier post, nahya^^ indicated he is a male. Why the feminine pronouns?
Mike
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Author: Karel
Date: 2002-09-13 01:44
Ooops, I guess "Nahya" sounds like a feminine name to my ears, my mistake.
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Author: Snoink
Date: 2002-09-13 06:27
Just make sure he can teach the important stuff straight off. Ask about correct hand position of your clarinet, embrouchure, blowing, tounging, notes, timing. If he can make you understand this stuff, and everybody says it's the proper way, then he's probably good.
Snoink
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Author: Jess
Date: 2002-10-26 17:12
Hey Neya,
I am also a high school clarinet player and i have gone through the same thing. Is it impolite to ask, " Are you a professional," yes but a question like, " where did you go to school, who have you played with and plain out what are your credentials is not. When i asked my teacher he told me he studied in Julliard and played in carnegie hall.... i kinda figured that out though by the price of lessons well good luck and don't sweat it...
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