[vintage bundy]

I've finally hit the dreaded wall; my up until now rapid advancement since 2 years ago when I first picked up the horn has stopped, leaving me to make only the smallest improvements, over the last couple of months. Therefore, I think it's time I take lessons.

Who are the best teachers in the south jersey area, or within 30 minutes of Moorestown? I'm a very serious student, who used to spend around 10 hours a week practicing until I slowed down.

I should also say that unless I get a job (turning 16 in mid december) I will only have a total fund of $300 or so for lessons. I'm looking for a teacher who will waste no time in evaluating my skill, and go straight to technique and tone (with perhaps a little improvisation and theory on the side), pushing me every week to make rapid improvements.

 

[jaysz]

Bill Garten and Tony Salacondro are very good, Tony teaches at both Rowan University and
the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, http://www.musicalconservatory.com/ that is his
school, you may not be able to get in with him however you could probably study with
Mark Allen. They both charge $60 an hour, but you can do 1/2 hour lessons
hope this helps.

If you decide you would like to try Bill send me a pm and I will send you his
number. Jay.

 

[phannah]

if you can get w/ Larry KcKenna.. http://home.comcast.net/~ljmckenna/site/

he's THE man! (if you're serious)

 

[vintage bundy]

@jayz: An alto player freind of mine literally just started taking lessons with Mark Allen. The only reason why I wasn't sure about him was that she seems to be going at a fairly slow pace with him.

@phannah: How would I get with Larry? How much does he charge?

 

[Dr G]

I'm looking for a teacher who will waste no time in evaluating my skill, and go straight to technique and tone (with perhaps a little improvisation and theory on the side), pushing me every week to make rapid improvements.

Not a very realistic expectation, is it? Why go straight to anything without knowing where you are? That would be a greater potential waste of time.

If you are truly a serious student, the onus of pushing your progress is on you, not the instructor.

G'luck. Kudos for committing the money and time to your progress.

 

[jaysz]

@ vintage Last time I had info on Larry he charged like $75 an hour and
that was some time ago, I bet it has gone up.

As far as your friend is concerned and her progress you need to really
look at some things, where was she before she started, how much time
is she putting in, 1/2 or 1 hour lessons, etc. Were I you I would schedule
a 30 minute lesson for the $30 and then make an evaluation, it is only
10% of your total budget. Also see if you can get in with Tony if
at all possible, I know he is kind of booked up though.


Also a slow pace where you actually understand and can
perform everything that is being given is better than getting
a bunch of stuff you don't understand and can't perforrm well.
Realize it's a marathon not a race and not everyone learns
at the same speed or even with the same methods. Hope
this helps. Jay.

 

[vintage bundy]

Dr G: I didn't mean that they would skip the evaluation process, but that they would not loiter. I also didn't mean that they would push me necessarily, but provide material with witch I could push myself. I feel that you may have misunderstood how I worded that.

jaysz: I definitely can't afford Larry if his rate is higher than $75 an hour. Also, I didn't mean a rushing pace necessarily, but not a pace that is slower than the rate at which I can learn. I realize it's not a race, but I also feel that my marathon speed is fairly fast, and I don't want to waste any time reinforcing material which I have already mastered, when I could be learning new material, and reinforcing old material on my own time.

 

[DanPerezSax]

If a good teacher tells you to work on something you've "mastered," it's because you haven't mastered it. And in any case, if you're playing saxophone, you HAVEN'T mastered it! I understand what you're trying to say, but that's an important point than many intermediate students don't get. The shrinks call it the Dunning-Kruger effect, but Tower of Power just said, "The More You Know, The More You Know You Don't Know!"