Where do I go after the first 12 lessons?

[gwaigwai]

Hi there,

I have completed the first 12 lessons....wondering where I should go for the next lesson..

Emily

[Lauren]

real lessons....like that rnt online

[Burke]

I can easily defend the video lessons, if they're what you're talking about. I've reviewed each one, and have come back again and again for some. Because of the instructor, I'm well into the third register. I'd have no qualms right now playing in public, as long as the music wasn't too complicated. I've alread done that, in fact, since I was able to perform in church at my choir director's behest. There was another flutist there to play the most difficult passages, but I was able to manage most of the music, including sixteenths. I just wasn't able to get the high notes yet. I can now though. What I couldn't play of that music last month, I can play now with ease. Take a look at the date I joined this forum. That was two days after I rented a flute, and I hadn't played since I was in sixth grade.

I'm handling vibrato with some fair skill for my level too, and I feel positive that I'm doing it right. My Mom instilled proper breathing for singing when I was a child, but the video lessons reinforced that, and the instructor helped me transfer those breathing techniques to the flute. I'm not doing it from the throat, and I'm in fair control of it. Do you understand what I mean? I can change the cycle of vibrato when I'm playing a note.

I could elaborate further, but I'd need a lot of space to say all the wonderful things I'd like to say about the video instructor here. There is no way that I could have come so far in such a short amount of time without the benefit of her lessons. I'm retired, so I have all day to play too. I practice in half hour incredments up to ten or more times per day. That free time is a major bonus for me, but I would be doing a lot of things incorrectly if not for the opportunity to see someone demonstrate proper technique.

The results are there. I don't know a better way to say it. There is probably no way I should be able to do what I'm doing on the flute at this stage of my student level. It isn't me; it's the instruction made available here.

The people you talk about here are real people with real feelings. Say nice things. That is not a request.

[embum79]

I've never tried video lessons, but I would definitely recommend private, face-to-face lessons. There's just no substitute for hands-on, interactive learning. That way you can not only receive instruction, but just as important--feedback of your playing so you know whether you're applying the skills correctly.

[Burke]

I've never tried video lessons, but I would definitely recommend private, face-to-face lessons. There's just no substitute for hands-on, interactive learning. That way you can not only receive instruction, but just as important--feedback of your playing so you know whether you're applying the skills correctly.

I don't disagree at all, Emily. I must not, since I'm on a waiting list for a 3D instructor. I doubt that the powers that be, as it were, on fluteland would disagree either.

On the other hand, having ongoing access to Boglarka's guidance through these lessons has been a benefit of no minor import. I've been able to return to one or another particular lesson again and again to review her technique. Moreover, someone of the credentials held by the teachers here will not be available to me outside this venue. This isn't meant as an insult to any face to face instructor I'll have when my time comes. I'll be wholly grateful for that person, but I'll continue to pursue instruction via the 'real time' format that is possible with other participating instructors here. If my (fictitious) child were making a similar dedicated effort, this is a combination I would want for him or her.

There is one more aspect that makes this mode of instruction attractive to some, and I truly understand if it isn't immediately apparent. I have no idea how routine an occurrence my recent 3D encounter is, but in case it's statistically measurable, I'm morally compelled to address it.

I've already heard from one store that it's more important for an able bodied student to be spared the inconvienence of having to walk a couple of blocks to get to the lesson, than for the store to have one handicapped parking space so the disabled student can get there at all. Even at my 'ripe old' age of 47, it hurt to have that door slammed shut. I practice diligently every day and for hours, and I'm delving into every component of credible knowledge about music on the internet that I can uncover. Still, I'm not worthy?! If I were that able bodied and therefore -- apparently -- more highly prized student, I would have no heartburn walking those two or three blocks under the circumstances. I wasn't that lazy when I was able bodied anyway. I'm not lazy now.

The waiting list I'm on now is with a store that is accessible. The parking is accessible, as are the aisles, the practice rooms, and the all important restroom. I'm told that the instructors don't have the same credentials as those of the store that slammed the door in my face (albeit inadvertantly and without forethought of malice). That is of no concern. I'll do just fine, and perhaps better without the continual reminder that I'm considered to be a human of lesser value.

My self esteem is intact, but to think of that message being sent to a disabled child -- inherently impressionable by virtue of age -- just frosts my foot joint. That same child can come here however, and he or she won't be made to overcome the obstacle of that mentality. There is equal ground here, just as I hope that my 3D encounter is isolated, and equal ground exists for the majority of young people with disabilities who have the fervent desire to become musicians.

My initial post was an attempt to say a supportive word about the instructor on fluteland.com. That's really still my primary interest in this thread, and I regret that I feel it necessary to mention the importance of this kind of instruction for people with disabilities who experience what I recently experienced.

[powayflute01]

I can't say I've ever taken a video lesson before, and I suppose it would have its advantages, but I would encourage the persuit of face-to-face lessons for any student at any level.
Is it even legal for a business to not have handicapped parking? I can't think of a single business in my area (large or small) that doesn't have a handicapped parking space. I don't know if that's a state legal issue or a federal legal issue, but either way, I think it's absurd for any business to be without one. If they can't make the necessary accomadations for a paying client to spend money in their store, then it doesn't sound like they're all that smart to begin with and I would probably take my business elsewhere if I were you, too.
Do tell us how the teacher situation goes, Burke!

[Burke]

I can't tell you how good it felt to wake up this morning and see your e-mail, Powayflute01. You 'get it,' so to speak. So do many people, and that means we're on our way to the most important fix.

Yes, I believe there is a legality involved, but I don't want to pursue that for a couple of reasons. If I were to do that every time I encountered one of these brick walls, I'd be a basket case. If it's not parking, it's something else, such as access within stores. Building construction has historically been geared toward the accommodation of able bodied people, so this type of progress will take time. I can understand that. In this case, the store also has legitimate space issues. Instruments line the sides of every aisles. If I were to have entered that store in my wheelchair, I could not have traversed those aisles. I don't think they can make it better. Real estate is at a premium in that region of the metro DC area, and they're a small business.

Still, there is a matter of the parking. My heartbreak is their philosophy more than the parking itself. They don't want their able bodied customers or students to have to walk three blocks to get to the store, and they were thoughtless enough to tell me that when I was in obvious pain, and to the point of tears. I couldn't hide it. That was a bad time for them to tell me that I wasn't as important as other customers. They didn't realize the sting they delivered. I really liked them, so this hurt on a deep level.

I wanted to be a customer there because of their excellent reputation, but I think you're right. For access issues as well as on moral ground, I shouldn't try to go there again. Also, I should write a letter to the owner, but I have to do that without engendering ill will, or mentioning the legal aspect. I do not want to present myself as an adversary, because I am not that. I'll have to do this in a way that will keep peace in the land.

Face to face instruction is critically important. I agree with you and Emily 100%. I'll have to wait my turn though, but when my name on the waiting list comes up, I'll have that instructor. In the meantime, I have this place. Nobody made me fight just to get to the starting gate, and that fight is what I've become accostomed to. I'd forgotten how good it felt to be able to do something without having to break down some proverbial wall first. I guess that's why I was defensive in my first reply on this thread. Somebody said something abusive about a top drawer and internationally renouned flautist -- and my first real instructor -- who will always be important to me. That made me more angry than I would be allowed to say here. I tried to be as diplomatic as possible, because that's really the best way.

Sometimes though, I hate rules.

[embum79]

You live in the D.C. area? I would think that there would be hundreds of qualified teachers to choose from. Most instructors, in my experience anyway, don't even hold lessons in music stores, they have their own private studios or have them at schools. Some may even be able to travel to your home. I bet if you call around to local colleges/universities you will get a list of teachers you can contact. Word of mouth is the best advertisement. If their studios are full, they usually know a few other people who teach.

I'm sorry you've been met with uncaring and ignorant people. Like you said, it will take time for things to change. However, I do think you should do SOMETHING, whether it is write a letter or contact your local government, because not having accessible public buildings IS illegal. If you don't do anything, nothing will change. I don't think you should be worried about offending anyone or causing problems.. I'm sure you're not the first person to be disappointed. The owners of the store either don't know they need to comply with ADA laws or just don't care because no one's ever called them on it. I hope you do consider saying something.

[kippsix]

There definitely is a legal issue here. It's called the American's with Disabilities Act (ADA). That store is mandated to provide the parking and accessibility that is required for ALL. There may be some "grandfathering" in (some time to make the accessibility), but that time should be long gone!!! I implore you to turn this business in to the authorities. If not for yourself, then for that young child you were referring to.

Good Luck. We have some similarities, and I have dealt with these same issues.

[Burke]

There are many teachers in the DC area, and a number where I live, which is about an hour and a half away. The list I'm on is in a location that is the best solution for me given the circumstances.

As I've indicated, I will do something.

[Burke]

There definitely is a legal issue here. It's called the American's with Disabilities Act (ADA). That store is mandated to provide the parking and accessibility that is required for ALL. There may be some "grandfathering" in (some time to make the accessibility), but that time should be long gone!!! I implore you to turn this business in to the authorities. If not for yourself, then for that young child you were referring to.

Good Luck. We have some similarities, and I have dealt with these same issues.

My last post in this thread was going to be my last post, but that's largely because I thought this was getting too much away from actual "flute talk." Also, I wasn't trying to imply that I was seeking advice about how to handle the encounter to which I referred. I did invite that in a way though, and I do care about your input. In fact, I care very much.

My observations about the law with regard to this issue may or may not apply to this forum in general. Each person here might, in the future, encounter a musician with a disability, or circumstances that promote or do not promote the inclusion of that musician. I'll leave the decision of whether this subject matter is pertinent here to the reader, and hope that he or she understands that I'm wholly mindful and respectful of the purpose of this board. Understand too please, that being human, I initially inserted a personally painful thing.

Yes, I am very familiar with the various titles of the ADA, as well as disability rights legislation in the U.K. I also spent a career enforcing U.S. federal regulations of one sort or another (as indicated in my bio), and finally came to the conclusion that while the rule of law is a beautiful thing, the law itself is a tool of last resort to employ in most disagreements. Once we bring the law to the table of such a discussion, we've introduced a process adversarial by design. Instantaneously, we take those with whom we disagree farther from the place where we want them, rather than bring them closer. We cause them to necessarily increase their guard level. It's true that we may win the battle in the end, but we've won with some disfavor in the eyes of the other party. That disfavor may negatively influence future interactions. In this instace, it may bring some harm to, rather than help the next flutist, drummer, or kazooist (wink, wink) with a disability.

I'd rather take a little longer, and use the very best diplomacy I can muster to cause change that I think will be positive. I want them to want the next musician with a disability. If I mention now, and eventually pursue the legal aspect, they may, in the end, be forced to tolerate that person, but mere tolerance is far less than I want for either party. Both will suffer. This is much harder work which takes longer, but the results are well worth the effort.

My first interest here is in all things flute, so I'll be happy and delighted to read anyone's further thought, if one appears, but I'll let you have the last word.

[kippsix]

Burke,
You truly have a wonderful way with written communication. Your words are very invoking, and I definitely appreciate the opportunity to personally gain from them, and to hope others will as well.