Drmalone --in a separate post made a statement about
self teaching so I thought I would bring the question to its own thread since
many here are teaching themselves flute-- including me. I am at a point now
where I would really appreciate what a teacher could do to correct mistakes and
speed up the learning curve- so I agree with DM''s post --- but there are down
sides as well. For you all teaching yourself-- why? My reasons are relatively
simple: 1) I have very little reliable time to practice with the job etc. so I
feel I would potentially waste my and the teachers time. 2) Lessons from private
teachers are relatively expensive (maybe I should sneak into a High School band-
haha). 3) As an adult I hate show anyone (like a teacher half my age) how little
I know about something. 4) I am used to assembling all sorts of toys, stereos,
appliances without reading the instructions so I should be able to learn the
flute- yes?[:bigsmile:]
to self or not self teach
Moderators: Classitar, pied_piper, Phineas
to self or not self teach
[quote] 3) As an I show anyone (like a teacher half my
age) how little I know about something. [/quote] I just thought I'd respond to
this[:)] Last summer, my private lesson was after a 40-something woman. Her
daughter was in college and used to play flute so she had it lying around the
house and decided she wanted to learn it, so she called her daughter's old
teacher (my teacher) and set up a lesson time. She had to change her lesson when
school started so that she could pick up her younger kids from school, but I
think she's still playing. My teacher isn't that young... I'd say
50-something? And she didn't have any problem teaching this woman. You are
certainly not alone in wanting to learn an(other) instrument even though you're
not a child anymore [;)] As for other self-teaching issues... I notice that my
teacher picks up on things that I don't notice all the time, like small lapses
in tempo. Also, a teacher can physically see you playing and suggest ways to
help your tone, where it's hard, even when looking in a mirror, to do that
yourself. Just something to think about [:)] You might want to at least try ONE
lesson with a teacher and see how it goes? As for price, my private lessons are
$14 for half an hour. Good luck!
age) how little I know about something. [/quote] I just thought I'd respond to
this[:)] Last summer, my private lesson was after a 40-something woman. Her
daughter was in college and used to play flute so she had it lying around the
house and decided she wanted to learn it, so she called her daughter's old
teacher (my teacher) and set up a lesson time. She had to change her lesson when
school started so that she could pick up her younger kids from school, but I
think she's still playing. My teacher isn't that young... I'd say
50-something? And she didn't have any problem teaching this woman. You are
certainly not alone in wanting to learn an(other) instrument even though you're
not a child anymore [;)] As for other self-teaching issues... I notice that my
teacher picks up on things that I don't notice all the time, like small lapses
in tempo. Also, a teacher can physically see you playing and suggest ways to
help your tone, where it's hard, even when looking in a mirror, to do that
yourself. Just something to think about [:)] You might want to at least try ONE
lesson with a teacher and see how it goes? As for price, my private lessons are
$14 for half an hour. Good luck!
"When
in doubt, trill." -John Phillip Sousa "Being strong and silent only gets you so
far... it''s the things you don''t say you regret the most."
-Ericsson
in doubt, trill." -John Phillip Sousa "Being strong and silent only gets you so
far... it''s the things you don''t say you regret the most."
-Ericsson
to self or not self teach
I have a agree with Kristin...don't let being older
keep you away from private lessons...I am older and my instructor has no problem
teaching music to someone who wants to learn and the student that follows me is
older than me. She has picked up on plenty of things that I though was
correct...they are minor but make a big difference playing music...like carrying
the note for the full value of the note or making sure the note is played
correctly. And as far a lessons go she understands that I have other
responsibilities like my son & his activities and we make allowances for that
and still learn something each week (usually 2 pages of the Rubank's book)
Sorry for rambling but don't let your age stop you from lessons---maybe you
could find an instructor that you could visit once in a while. I was going to
try to teach myself but quickly realized it wasn't something I could do.
keep you away from private lessons...I am older and my instructor has no problem
teaching music to someone who wants to learn and the student that follows me is
older than me. She has picked up on plenty of things that I though was
correct...they are minor but make a big difference playing music...like carrying
the note for the full value of the note or making sure the note is played
correctly. And as far a lessons go she understands that I have other
responsibilities like my son & his activities and we make allowances for that
and still learn something each week (usually 2 pages of the Rubank's book)
Sorry for rambling but don't let your age stop you from lessons---maybe you
could find an instructor that you could visit once in a while. I was going to
try to teach myself but quickly realized it wasn't something I could do.
to self or not self teach
I could go on all day about the benefits of taking
private lessons. There's just nothing like it. When I was in college, I was a
flute major for a bit, but then switched. I've now been out of school for
awhile, but still take private lessons because I love it so much. There's
something wonderful about having someone right there who can give you a
different perspective. You don't always know what you sound like to other
people. It really makes your experience twice as good because you learn new
things at each lesson. A good teacher will be able to be flexible about your
needs, like if you can only come every other week, or need breaks here and
there.
private lessons. There's just nothing like it. When I was in college, I was a
flute major for a bit, but then switched. I've now been out of school for
awhile, but still take private lessons because I love it so much. There's
something wonderful about having someone right there who can give you a
different perspective. You don't always know what you sound like to other
people. It really makes your experience twice as good because you learn new
things at each lesson. A good teacher will be able to be flexible about your
needs, like if you can only come every other week, or need breaks here and
there.
Cheers,
Emily
Emily
to self or not self teach
I agree with all of the comments. I can certainly see,
even at this early stage in learning, that some things can only be learned by
suggestion and criticism. I have made some good progress on my own but quickly
run into problems I am sure a teacher could help with. Perhaps I will ratchet up
the will to take lessons at some point-- maybe it is a hold over from a piano
teacher/monster I had when very young?? It would be intersting to hear from
others that are or have taught themselves to play.
even at this early stage in learning, that some things can only be learned by
suggestion and criticism. I have made some good progress on my own but quickly
run into problems I am sure a teacher could help with. Perhaps I will ratchet up
the will to take lessons at some point-- maybe it is a hold over from a piano
teacher/monster I had when very young?? It would be intersting to hear from
others that are or have taught themselves to play.
to self or not self teach
[quote] ---------------- On 3/5/2004 8:31:57 AM It
would be intersting to hear from others that are or have taught themselves to
play. ---------------- [/quote] I agree...anyone here teaching themselves? But
if your teaching yourself, how do you know if your playing the notes correctly?
I'm not saying it can't be done I'm just wondering how you know it's
correct?
would be intersting to hear from others that are or have taught themselves to
play. ---------------- [/quote] I agree...anyone here teaching themselves? But
if your teaching yourself, how do you know if your playing the notes correctly?
I'm not saying it can't be done I'm just wondering how you know it's
correct?
to self or not self teach
Playing an instrument involves identifying pitches and
intervals (relationship of the notes with one another). Schools encourage music
students to take up ear training lessons to develop relative and absolute pitch.
It's a big advantage having this ability in learning an instrument. If you
can't take ear training classes, there are available softwares in the net that
you can practice with. People who've played another instrument have an edge
because they have developed relative pitch in some degree already. The best is
still to get a teacher because learning is structured, faster (assuming you
follow the exercises) and customized for you. But sometimes, it's not possible.
You're busy with work, families, or don't have money to spend for the
sessions. You can also do it in "as needed" basis. That's what I usually do. If
you go the DIY method (Do It Yourself), you want to learn things as easy as
possible. So, look for books with accompaniment CDs that you can practice along.
Look for videos. You can also ask questions here in board. I'm sure someone
will answer them. Read music theory books. Look for flute resources in the net.
The flute is used as lead melody or backup melody. You can use it to play any
tune or type of music. Just be familiar with its characteristics (note range
capability, effects it can and cannot do). The question now is are you sure you
are playing the instrument correctly. You may still need someone (a teacher or
professional player) to check your playing and correct any bad habits you have.
They can also help you in complicated compositions and in music transcriptions
that you don't have accompanied audio. Even with bad habits, you can still
play. But your playing will be somewhat limited. Long post...hope this helps.
vic
intervals (relationship of the notes with one another). Schools encourage music
students to take up ear training lessons to develop relative and absolute pitch.
It's a big advantage having this ability in learning an instrument. If you
can't take ear training classes, there are available softwares in the net that
you can practice with. People who've played another instrument have an edge
because they have developed relative pitch in some degree already. The best is
still to get a teacher because learning is structured, faster (assuming you
follow the exercises) and customized for you. But sometimes, it's not possible.
You're busy with work, families, or don't have money to spend for the
sessions. You can also do it in "as needed" basis. That's what I usually do. If
you go the DIY method (Do It Yourself), you want to learn things as easy as
possible. So, look for books with accompaniment CDs that you can practice along.
Look for videos. You can also ask questions here in board. I'm sure someone
will answer them. Read music theory books. Look for flute resources in the net.
The flute is used as lead melody or backup melody. You can use it to play any
tune or type of music. Just be familiar with its characteristics (note range
capability, effects it can and cannot do). The question now is are you sure you
are playing the instrument correctly. You may still need someone (a teacher or
professional player) to check your playing and correct any bad habits you have.
They can also help you in complicated compositions and in music transcriptions
that you don't have accompanied audio. Even with bad habits, you can still
play. But your playing will be somewhat limited. Long post...hope this helps.
vic
-
dancingflutist3000
- Posts: 117
- Joined: Sun Oct 12, 2003 9:35 am
to self or not self teach
As I sixth grade unhappy 2-year saxophonist I taught
myself the flute. Currently I am now better than most of the flute players who
have been playing through school AND who have been taking private lessons for
years! I am now playing through school after setting the saxophone aside. I
don't think everyone can teach themselves something. Technically I didn't
teach EVERYTHING to myself. Since I had had previous experience in the saxophone
I already knew how to read music, count time and beats and everything, but
still. I was also more or less determind to get up to par with my bandmates
because I did not intend to play the saxophone forever. My teachers say I have a
"natural talent" for instruments because I can pretty much teach most of them
myself. I taught myself how to play the clarinet and am now working on the
violin. Sorry I've turned this into a life story lol but if you are confident
in your abilities I say go for it. We're all here for you!
myself the flute. Currently I am now better than most of the flute players who
have been playing through school AND who have been taking private lessons for
years! I am now playing through school after setting the saxophone aside. I
don't think everyone can teach themselves something. Technically I didn't
teach EVERYTHING to myself. Since I had had previous experience in the saxophone
I already knew how to read music, count time and beats and everything, but
still. I was also more or less determind to get up to par with my bandmates
because I did not intend to play the saxophone forever. My teachers say I have a
"natural talent" for instruments because I can pretty much teach most of them
myself. I taught myself how to play the clarinet and am now working on the
violin. Sorry I've turned this into a life story lol but if you are confident
in your abilities I say go for it. We're all here for you!
~*~Soccer
Rules~*~ ~*~dancingflutist~*~
http://thesims.ea.com/mysimpage/simpage.php?avatar_id=11412300
Rules~*~ ~*~dancingflutist~*~
http://thesims.ea.com/mysimpage/simpage.php?avatar_id=11412300
to self or not self teach
Well for me I am teaching myself because of finances
right now. I am lucky in the sense that I am really just brushing up because I
played back in school for 9 years...but I find that some things are taking a bit
more work than others. Also being a mom there really isn't time for lessons at
this time. I know my daughters teacher would probably take me on whatever
schedule I could work out but I really would like to have my own teacher and I
think my daughter would prefer that also LOL For now...working with a CD and
having my daughter to answer questions along with the internet things are
working just fine. Kim
right now. I am lucky in the sense that I am really just brushing up because I
played back in school for 9 years...but I find that some things are taking a bit
more work than others. Also being a mom there really isn't time for lessons at
this time. I know my daughters teacher would probably take me on whatever
schedule I could work out but I really would like to have my own teacher and I
think my daughter would prefer that also LOL For now...working with a CD and
having my daughter to answer questions along with the internet things are
working just fine. Kim
[color=red] Music is the art of thinking with sounds.[/color]