Taking Lessons as an adult

[Woodwindswins]

I have to admit,that even though I look forward to getting to know the world of a new instrument,the first day to meet the teacher is always a nerve-wracking one for me.Of course,I make it a point to look for those instructors that are adult-friendly & know just how to handle the nervousness & such. :oops: How many of you are taking lessons currently? What's your instructor like? And did you have to search long before you found him/her??

[sskilton]

Woodwindswins,

I began playing the sax 6 months ago. My dear hubby paid for my first set of lessons for my 29th Birthday. I concider myself a late beginner. I was really nervous of my first few lessons, I was convinced the teacher was out to rubbish whatever I had practiced, to critise and point out all my mistakes. Boy was I wrong. I now look forward to what I call practice sessions not lessons, because my 'teacher' is in fact coaching and guiding me. Yes he 'teaches' me things I didn't already know but that is all part of my development.

Look at the sessions as having the opportunity to practice with and ask questions to an experienced player. It is good fun.

8)

[stitch]

How many of you are taking lessons currently? What's your instructor like? And did you have to search long before you found him/her??

My current teacher is the second I approached. The first was via an ad in a local shop. I phoned and was told his hourly rate, and arranged a trial lesson. As soon as I got through the door I was pretty sure we weren't going to click - hard to put into words, just a feeling. Anyway, as I was coming back to sax after a long layoff he had me blow a few notes and try a few things, then spent about 10 minutes playing stuff himself - showing off basically. I had booked an hour's lesson, and there was still a fair bit left, and he really just waffled to fill in the time. As I was leaving he gave me a list of things I'd need - manuscript paper, tuning fork(!), various books, and which keys I'd need to learn straight away.

The next guy was via a recommendation. He told me his hourly rate, but said he'd do half-hours too, and that was enough for a trial lesson. I felt comfortable with him immediately. He asked what music I liked and what I wanted to play. I asked him about learning keys etc - don't worry too much, you'll pick it up as you go along was his response. More than 2 years later, I'm still taking lessons from him, and my nominal half-hour lesson very often stretches to 45 mins as we chat about this and that (not always music related), and generally have a fun time.

I count myself lucky. Had the first guy been my only option I probably would have given up the sax in 6 months.

So my advice is to ask around, arrange trial lessons and don't be afraid of turning a potential teacher down if you don't click. When you find the right one for you, you won't regret it!

[goodsax]

I found my teacher through a referral program at a local music store. He was very knowledgeable in music theory and a very capable musician. But, he talked too much. Although I practiced what he told me between lessons as if my life depended on his approval, my next half hour lesson would almost invariably be over without me playing a single note because of his talking about related and unrelated lesson material. And, we never went over the half-hour limit. He watched the clock like a hawk because there was always another student waiting to start his/her half-hour. I finally decided I wasn't getting a good half-hour of quality teaching and took a hike. I'm still deciding whether I want to hassle with finding another teacher.

[Woodwindswins]

From all that I'm reading about saxophone,seems that a trial lesson would HAVE to be part of the package,as a new student needs the introduction to assembling the sax,wetting & putting the reed in place,understanding the fingerings & the whole enchilada about breathing & embouchure,even making sure you hold the sax properly! Seems that all this alone would easily gobble up a half-hour.......Would it be wise to look into an hour's worth of time for the very first day? I'm not stepping into this without some assumption that I'll have some exercises/tunes to practice once I leave.Any more wisdom to share,folks??

[goodsax]

One bit of solicited advice: Get a copy of Larry Teal's "The Art Of Saxophone Playing" and start reading. There are very few tunes/exercises in his book, but man does he deliver the basics of those items you just mentioned: mouthpieces, reeds, embouchure, breathing, etc.

[Helen]

From all that I'm reading about saxophone,seems that a trial lesson would HAVE to be part of the package,as a new student needs the introduction to assembling the sax,wetting & putting the reed in place,understanding the fingerings & the whole enchilada about breathing & embouchure,even making sure you hold the sax properly! Seems that all this alone would easily gobble up a half-hour.......Would it be wise to look into an hour's worth of time for the very first day? I'm not stepping into this without some assumption that I'll have some exercises/tunes to practice once I leave.Any more wisdom to share,folks??

IMO you're absolutely right.

I offer my students a choice when they first phone. They can do hour or half hour lessons, it is their choice. Personally, I feel that an hour is better because we can spend more time on specifics like embouchure, tone production, theory, whatever, and still have enough time to go over lesson material. I'm also a big believer in playing duets, so I finish each lesson with one or two duets. Different duets every week also allow for the development of sight reading skills. Interestingly enough, my students all prefer the hour lessons.

My first lesson is always free, and always runs over an hour as we get to know each other. I tell people up front to plan for a 90 minute first lesson as it gives me time to play their horn and m/p and check it for leaks, maintainence necessary, etc. etc. They also learn how to put the horn together and take it apart properly. Also giving an extended lesson the first time allows for both myself and the students to decide if we want to work together. As someone pointed out in this thread already, they didn't "click" with their teacher. That is a 2 way street. There are students that I don't "click" with, so spending over an hour together gives both parties and opportunity to decide weather we can work together or not.

I have a Masters degree in Adult Education, so obviously that's a bit of a bias on my part, but I really do enjoy working with adult learners. But I approach all my teaching from a adult education perspective. I teach my middle and high school age students the same way, and I consistantly hear...usually via their parents...how they appreciate that approach as oppossed to the one they get in school.

The exercises I've developed for my students are written in such a way to make them appropriate for all learners, but the adult focus is obvious. If anyone is interested in those exercises, let me know. I'll direct you to them. (They're password protected on my website.)

[mrschewy]

I have just started playing at the grand old age of 36 and have never read music before either...steep learning curve. But now I have found a good teacher and have one half hour lesson a week, I find the target of having new poeces etc to learn each week really motivates me to practice, and I am enjoying playing much more than when I was just muddling along trying to teach myself. I would say to anyone to just get a good teacher and you'll be well away. Recommendation is the best way to find someone, but I agree that you need to"click" for it to work.

[HC]

The 1st chair alto (a friend of mine) was the only alto sax (out of 5 of us) ot move up a band. He was a very skilled musician and decided to ask who his teacher was. He gave me the information and her phone number and I gave it a call. Instantly, I knew she was a very nice person. She was also very knowledgable on both saxophone and clarinet, which was a benefit for me. I was studying on alto saxophone but played bass clarinet in band. I had already gotten to the point of figuring out the quirks of the bass clarinet. Whatever I learned on saxophone improved my clarinet ability as well.

[paulwl]

I don't know. I really want to believe that it's bad to stay with a teacher when there are personality clashes...but it seems like the more Serious you are about your playing, the more you're expected to tolerate unforgiving, confrontational, in-your-face teaching.

Maybe that's why accomplished teachers discourage adult beginners. They're too hard to tear down, and the only accepted way of teaching at the highest level is to tear down before you build up. Says something about music education.

(spoken as an early beginner/late bloomer, highly dedicated and passionate but not one bit Serious)

[Woodwindswins]

In this day & age however,no one should be forced to put up with or tolerate"bully-style"teaching on ANY instrument,especially if you're the one reaching for your hard-earned manna from your wallet.That's what makes me take all these"hardliners"on music & instruments all across these forum boards with a grain of salt.It's one thing to say,"If you're looking for this,you should strongly consider getting that or doing so-and-such first.Really & truly,you won't be sorry later like some people I've seen who had X happen to them.Best of luck to you!"But the ones that make my blood boil are those who want to"pre-qualify"those who have a certain goal in their life,in our case music by slinging statements like"What makes you think you're good enough to try that?"or"Oh,you have no business even thinking about A without this,this,that,this,that,big helpings of this & a master's degree in the other".Of course,if you're discussing something in the line of danger & harm to life & property,then it's justified.But where the arts are concerned,some"rules"should always be challenged.Especially where your musical heart is concerned.

[saxobell]

I have to admit,that even though I look forward to getting to know the world of a new instrument,the first day to meet the teacher is always a nerve-wracking one for me.Of course,I make it a point to look for those instructors that are adult-friendly & know just how to handle the nervousness & such. :oops: How many of you are taking lessons currently? What's your instructor like? And did you have to search long before you found him/her??

Talk about nervousness - today, I made arrangements with a musical genius for lessons. He and I went to school together and played together in the band and orchestra. I haven't seen nor talked with him in almost 50 years (that's right - almost 50 years, we're older than dirt). I won't be starting lessons until September and I have the willie nillies already. Until a few weeks ago, I haven't had a sax in my hands since school. I'll just have to convince myself that he will be as nervous me. Maybe that will work?? http://pages.prodigy.net/rogerlori1/emoticons/BLUEGUY.GIF

[girl]

I am fortunate that I have an excellent teacher. He came highly recommended and we work very well together.

One thing that he made clear from the start is that I have absolutely nothing to prove to him. Quite simply, if I was a brilliant saxophonist, I wouldn't be taking lessons. Mistakes are fine and are a necessary part of the learning process. I don't worry about them.

I enjoy every minute of every lesson, find the right teacher and I am sure you will too.