 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: scott
Date: 2002-10-02 19:05
That is my question, is it worth it to go to a weekly half-hour beginner lesson if I have not practiced more than once this week? Is there a minimum level of practice that warrants a next lesson?
Scott
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Author: Dan Borlawsky
Date: 2002-10-02 19:15
Scott,
You didn't say whether this is a group lesson in school or a private lesson, but you should go. Your teacher will have some advice or prescription for you, even if it's "I don't think you're serious enough about this; maybe you should consider stopping lessons." The key is that you've got to attend regularly (and one would hope that you prepare for each lesson) if you're going to get any benefit out of the lessons. If you're unprepared for a school lesson, you need to be there anyway to hear the lesson played, and to get the assignment for the next lesson.
There are some private teachers who would charge you for the time if you cancel a regularly-scheduled lesson.
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Author: JMcAulay
Date: 2002-10-02 19:18
scott: I rarely make flat statements of opinion, but in this case I will. If you do not practice more than once a week, and if this is consistent, you have hardly any chance of becoming a Clarinet player. If that continues to be your level of practice, abandon the lessons now before you spend more money -- which you would otherwise be wasting. If you do not want to play the clarinet strongly enough to play at least a half-hour a day, why bother?
Regards,
John
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Author: ken
Date: 2002-10-02 20:13
Mediocrity promotes more mediocrity; if that's what you're willing to settle for take up the whistle instead.
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Author: Robert
Date: 2002-10-02 21:15
I started playing the clarinet at the age of 8, and didn't start practising regularly until I was 16. My teacher at the time obviously realised this, but had infinite patience, and basically used my lessons to get me to at least practise (with him) once a week properly. I'm now a professional clarinetist. My wonderful, patient teacher basically taught me HOW to practise. I'm glad he never gave me any warnings!
I now teach too. One of my students is a doctor who has little time to practise. Sometimes he practises regularly, and sometimes not. But he loves playing the clarinet, and usually gets something out of the lessons.
I'd say go to the lesson.
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Author: Meri
Date: 2002-10-03 00:08
No matter what the reason, I would have my beginner students have the lesson anyway. I plan back-up lessons, which could be theory, listening, sorting out rhythms in a new piece they will be working on, non-playing aspects of the exam that they are doing, among other things.
But, I have not yet run into problems with students not practicing other than illness that prevents the student from practicing--only problems with the student not doing quality practicing (because of not listening to sound quality or not playing with good rhythmic accuracy for two lessons in a row), which I then have a discussion with the student on high-quality versus low-quality practicing. So far such a discussion worked the one time I had to use it a few months ago. Dropping a student is a last resort for me.
I do my best to prevent the problem, by teaching them practice strategies (clapping/singing the rhythm, working a difficult bar from slow to fast, and marking hard bars (which *they* mark) in combination with the second strategy work well with beginners), using practice logs, organizing the student's practicing with how much time they are to spend on different parts of the weekly assignment, and what playing issues to listen/watch for.
Meri
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Author: Sandra F. H.
Date: 2002-10-03 03:16
This is an individual decision. Bear in mind that all students and all teachers are different. Where I teach, all students must take private music lessons on a musical instrument (orchestral). Some students practice, and some do not. It is difficult to discern what to consider for the best interests of everyone involved. If a student isn't interested, I try to teach what I can and just know that I'll train someone to be an appreciative listener of music. Some parents do not have any inkling what is "practice". It's all a process. I do know that if the student has genuine interest, that an effort should be made to teach. In the case of a young student, it may be an advantage to have the parent(s) come in for a lesson..as a student!
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Author: Fred
Date: 2002-10-03 15:52
There are a variety of reasons for not practicing. I think it is important to understand where the student is in his music education, and match the student with the right kind of teacher.
For many teachers, clarinet/music holds a preiminent place in their lives. It may be their profession; it most certainly at least their avocation. For a teacher like GBK, I can understand how there is just so much time for teaching and a person not practicing means that some other serious student must be turned away. Nothing wrong with this approach.
For other students like Robert (great post, Robert), clarinet competes with many other things for time and attention. If the student really wants to take lessons, they should probably be matched with a teacher that doesn't expect focused attention on clarinet. I like Meri's approach as well.
Bottom line: The student and the teacher have to be compatible in their goals and expectations.
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Author: GBK
Date: 2002-10-03 16:36
Fred said: "...Bottom line: The student and the teacher have to be compatible in their goals and expectations..."
That is truly the secret to successful instruction for both teacher and student.
If one is teaching an adult, due to family and job commitments, the teacher must be flexible and understand the possible time constraints which are often placed on the student.
However with younger students, diligent practice habits must be instilled and reinforced by both teacher and parent. The discipline acquired by learning to budget time correctly is a lesson that will last far beyond music.
As a teacher with a waiting list of students, I do not want to coddle a student (and parent) who will not commit to minimum requirements of self study. Parents of youngsters have to take an active role as well. I see very few students are self motivated enough to not need occasional parental prodding.
I feel that letting a student go is the only fair thing to do to the child that is not applying himself, as well as to the ones that are patiently waiting their turn...GBK
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Author: diz
Date: 2002-10-03 22:30
Hey - what's the problem with a student turning up unprepared. When I was a student I did this (once only) and was made to play scales for the entire lesson - slowly, over and over again. My teacher said, that's the medicine for coming unprepared. I was a star student after that.
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Author: Vytas
Date: 2002-10-04 01:17
IMO. If you do not want to play the clarinet strongly enough to play AT LEAST TWO HOURS a day, every single day, why bother? If you want to become a professional clarinetist 3-5 hours a day would be about right. There was a time when I used to practice about 8 hours a day and didn't think it was enough. ....V
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2002-10-04 02:00
Vytas wrote:
>
> IMO. If you do not want to play the clarinet strongly
> enough to play AT LEAST TWO HOURS a day, every single day, why
> bother?
Because I have a great time playing the clarinet without ever coming close to being able to devote 2 hours a day at it.
Next question?
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Author: Vytas
Date: 2002-10-04 02:36
>>>>>Next question?<<<<<<
You are one of those who would get second warning from GBK fast. LOL
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2002-10-04 02:45
Vytas wrote:
>
> >>>>>Next question?<<<<<<
>
> You are one of those who would get second warning from GBK
> fast. LOL
Somehow I don't think so.
If you open your eyes, Vytas, you'll find the great majority of players cannot dedicate 2 hours a day of time to practice - not if they have any sort of job other than playing a clarinet. For you to make such a bold statement is irritating to say the least for those of us who have a life that <b>doesn't</b> revolve around a stick of black wood.
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Author: Vytas
Date: 2002-10-04 03:19
Or you do it or you don't. I really don't care or want to accept mediocrity. BTW. I was referring to young beginner students and haven't had "a stick of black wood" players in mind.
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