Why Should Music Students Take Private Lessons on a Band or Orchestra Instrument?
by Meri Dolevski-Lewis
First, the more students that take private lessons in an ensemble, the better the ensemble typically sounds. In the state of Texas, many school ensembles have at least 75% of the members taking private lessons, and in Carmel, Indiana, there is one ensemble where 95% of the members take private lessons from competent teachers, and they have received hundreds of awards for their musicianship.
Second, private lessons will reduce or eliminate frustration for students, and give them confidence in their playing. For slower students, it means students can receive much more attention to solving the difficulties they are having than most school music teachers have, and often means the difference between sticking with an instrument and giving up. For faster students, it means that they do not have to wait for other students to catch up, and can forge ahead by learning new studies and repertoire.
Third, in schools where very few students take private lessons, those that do typically have the principal chair in their section.
Fourth, in some ensembles, it is extremely difficult, if not impossible, for students who do not take private lessons to be accepted, because either the ensemble requires that participants study with a teacher, or because it is EXTREMELY competitive, especially in wind sections for youth symphony orchestras.
Fifth, competent private teachers can nip minor playing problems that are developing in student’s early instrumental instruction before they become much more challenging to overcome.
Sixth, students taking private lessons, particularly school age ones, benefit in positive ways from a relationship with an adult who is not related to them or as a school teacher.
Seventh, if the student takes private lessons on an instrument, they will usually be allocated their first choice of instrument, and not have to switch. In some cases, students who play certain instruments to at least an early intermediate level who are using their first instrument as a precedent to the instrument they really want to play (starting on clarinet and wanting to switch to saxophone), are almost guaranteed to get the instrument they want to switch to.
Finally, students who take private lessons will have more opportunities to see other students about their age or a little older who play well, which may inspire them, or even have a new set of friends, especially if the teacher hosts concerts for students.
First, the more students that take private lessons in an ensemble, the better the ensemble typically sounds. In the state of Texas, many school ensembles have at least 75% of the members taking private lessons, and in Carmel, Indiana, there is one ensemble where 95% of the members take private lessons from competent teachers, and they have received hundreds of awards for their musicianship.
Second, private lessons will reduce or eliminate frustration for students, and give them confidence in their playing. For slower students, it means students can receive much more attention to solving the difficulties they are having than most school music teachers have, and often means the difference between sticking with an instrument and giving up. For faster students, it means that they do not have to wait for other students to catch up, and can forge ahead by learning new studies and repertoire.
Third, in schools where very few students take private lessons, those that do typically have the principal chair in their section.
Fourth, in some ensembles, it is extremely difficult, if not impossible, for students who do not take private lessons to be accepted, because either the ensemble requires that participants study with a teacher, or because it is EXTREMELY competitive, especially in wind sections for youth symphony orchestras.
Fifth, competent private teachers can nip minor playing problems that are developing in student’s early instrumental instruction before they become much more challenging to overcome.
Sixth, students taking private lessons, particularly school age ones, benefit in positive ways from a relationship with an adult who is not related to them or as a school teacher.
Seventh, if the student takes private lessons on an instrument, they will usually be allocated their first choice of instrument, and not have to switch. In some cases, students who play certain instruments to at least an early intermediate level who are using their first instrument as a precedent to the instrument they really want to play (starting on clarinet and wanting to switch to saxophone), are almost guaranteed to get the instrument they want to switch to.
Finally, students who take private lessons will have more opportunities to see other students about their age or a little older who play well, which may inspire them, or even have a new set of friends, especially if the teacher hosts concerts for students.