Who still gets lessons (individual or otherwise), or goes to workshops etc
Do you think they are worth it ?
Or are we always trying to find the quick and easy solution through a book or video?
Books, videos, CD Roms, self tuition, or whatever are probably just as good if you are self disciplined enough. However, most of us are not so that's how we can all benefit from lessons and workshops. Also, it's often a lot clearer when you are "face to face" with a teacher.
Having said that, I work on my own these days but will still go workshops if it's a good tutor or respected musician taking it on the day. You can still pick up a lot of useful things that way.
Actually, it’s not that I want to know anything (this time)
But I often think that I’m always looking for the quick and easy
answer, when really I should be just enjoying the journey and learning the tunes myself – developing my own style as opposed to trying to sound like someone else…..or maybe not.
Well I spent the best part of a year being very self-disciplined in converting myself from a classical flute/recorder player to an ITM wooden flute/whistler but studying on my own through books, listening etc. I learn't more in a one week workshop than I did in that year... but the workshop would have been much less useful if I hadn't spent that time studying and practicing.... so I guess the answer is that it's both. I would certainly recommend a teacher/workshop especially as a check that your home study is going in the right direction.
I agree that this is part of the problem. You might spend too much attention to certain areas when studying from books etc and neglect others. As you say, a teacher is a useful check.
I'll have a better idea about this next week--I have just signed up for lessons, for the first time in many many years.
My theory: I've been trying to learn this music on my own for a few years now, have listened to a fair amount of ITM recordings, attended sessions, and I think I'm making relatively good progess--but I'd like a second opinion from somebody a lot more experienced in it than I am. I'm physically unable to duplicate the playing of any of the top fiddlers (I'm not handicapped, just sorta old and clumsy), so I'm forced to make some compromises, and develop my own style. But I'd like that style to be faithful to the music, to do it some sort of justice, because there's something special about it that has made it survive and grow like (I think) no other folk music.
That's the theory, at this point. We'll see how it works out.
I think lessons are a very good idea. It's the only way you'll get truly objective feedback on your progress, flaws etc. I don't think you ever hear yourself properly, especially on flute, where it's up against your face and vibrating through your bones. I've been thinking for some time of finding someone to give me a few lessons. Workshops are good, but very variable, though always fun(!)
Like Bribanjo, I'm just starting out on the b/c box, and as soon as I've mastered the layout of the beast, I intend to sign up someone to give me some lessons so that I don't try to reinvent the wheel, like I did with the flute (result: not very round wheel and a very wobbly ride!)
Mark
Speaking as a teacher of course I will say lessons are helpful, but teachers do have their limits. Many times when my students want to learn traditional music, especially those attending a music school, they want everything metered out: where exactly does that triplet go, what exact part of the beat do you begin/end the rolls and turns---and as a teacher the answer "I don't want you to count so precisely" isn't a good one!
That's when I tell them to listen to live music, good players; do the ear thing. I can handle the technical questions, and make suggestions as to interpretation and musicality but the last thing I want is a little robot fiddler mimicking everything I do.
Workshops are good for the odd new tune or new trick. Except for trumpet lessons as a youngster, I was entirely self taught (other than a couple of workshop weeks) until recently. Now I am taking monthly guitar lessons and it is making a big difference--I did some things well, but there were other things that are fairly rudimentary that I could not even handle. It has made a big difference, and I am glad I am doing it. It pushes me to practice more and I am becoming much more well rounded.
My classical piano teacher fusses at me for counting too precisely. Even in Chopin and all, it is possible to be too technical and count too much. I had lessons on the fiddle for years, and I miss them now. Mostly because the lessons forced me to work on stuff that I wouldn't always work on.
Wow! I wish my piano teacher would fuss at me for counting too much! I'm always getting told to count. And to play louder; but that's something else entirely.
In my opinion, lessons are good. If you have a good teacher, for one thing, they can tell you how to hold your instrument right so you don't hurt yourself. Also, they're good to have around to tell you when you're doing something wrong.
I got the same impression as musicfan. Especially on the fiddle the first year with a good teacher helps a lot. I'm that lucky I got a young student I told him what I want to learn - a very inspiring cooperation. I improved within shorter time.
From personal experience, yes. Taking up ITM fiddle after thirty plus years of (mostly jazz) guitar required a complete paradigm shift in perspective that was clarified immensely by sitting across from a fine fiddler / teacher who said "yes... ahh, no." and "...like this...". Over two years now, and even with my critically high standards, I'll admit to making satisfactory progress. Is satisfactory good enough? No! Brilliant would be nice... so.... I have to go practice now...
I often wish I'd had lessons but I could never find a teacher on mandolin.
I suspect I'm too set in my ways now but I fancy one of those week-long mandolin/banjo camp deals if I can ever escape from Castle Routine.
If you are young, take all the lessons you have time for. If you are older, take the lessons , and, take some time to teach the younger players. By teaching you'll become more aware of what is difficult and where best to spend yor time.
Are lessons a good idea ?
Are lessons a good idea ?
Who still gets lessons (individual or otherwise), or goes to workshops etc
Do you think they are worth it ?
Or are we always trying to find the quick and easy solution through a book or video?
# Posted on September 5th 2005 by BegF
Re: Are lessons a good idea ?
Books, videos, CD Roms, self tuition, or whatever are probably just as good if you are self disciplined enough. However, most of us are not so that's how we can all benefit from lessons and workshops. Also, it's often a lot clearer when you are "face to face" with a teacher.
Having said that, I work on my own these days but will still go workshops if it's a good tutor or respected musician taking it on the day. You can still pick up a lot of useful things that way.
# Posted on September 5th 2005 by John J.
Re: Are lessons a good idea ?
when I can, yes, i'll go through them to see if there's anything I can use or correct.
# Posted on September 5th 2005 by Zina Lee
Re: Are lessons a good idea ?
Why d'ya wanna know?
# Posted on September 5th 2005 by showaddydadito
Re: Are lessons a good idea ?
How to be brilliant please, and thank you.
# Posted on September 5th 2005 by BegF
Re: Are lessons a good idea ?
Actually, it’s not that I want to know anything (this time)
But I often think that I’m always looking for the quick and easy
answer, when really I should be just enjoying the journey and learning the tunes myself – developing my own style as opposed to trying to sound like someone else…..or maybe not.
# Posted on September 5th 2005 by BegF
Re: Are lessons a good idea ?
Oh, sorry - I thjought you sai "what do you want to know?"
Why do I want to know - just curious - is that ok ?
# Posted on September 5th 2005 by BegF
Re: Are lessons a good idea ?
Well I spent the best part of a year being very self-disciplined in converting myself from a classical flute/recorder player to an ITM wooden flute/whistler but studying on my own through books, listening etc. I learn't more in a one week workshop than I did in that year... but the workshop would have been much less useful if I hadn't spent that time studying and practicing.... so I guess the answer is that it's both. I would certainly recommend a teacher/workshop especially as a check that your home study is going in the right direction.
# Posted on September 5th 2005 by NeilC
Re: Are lessons a good idea ?
I agree that this is part of the problem. You might spend too much attention to certain areas when studying from books etc and neglect others. As you say, a teacher is a useful check.
# Posted on September 5th 2005 by John J.
Re: Are lessons a good idea ?
I'll have a better idea about this next week--I have just signed up for lessons, for the first time in many many years.
My theory: I've been trying to learn this music on my own for a few years now, have listened to a fair amount of ITM recordings, attended sessions, and I think I'm making relatively good progess--but I'd like a second opinion from somebody a lot more experienced in it than I am. I'm physically unable to duplicate the playing of any of the top fiddlers (I'm not handicapped, just sorta old and clumsy), so I'm forced to make some compromises, and develop my own style. But I'd like that style to be faithful to the music, to do it some sort of justice, because there's something special about it that has made it survive and grow like (I think) no other folk music.
That's the theory, at this point. We'll see how it works out.
# Posted on September 5th 2005 by John Galt
Re: Are lessons a good idea ?
I think lessons are a very good idea. It's the only way you'll get truly objective feedback on your progress, flaws etc. I don't think you ever hear yourself properly, especially on flute, where it's up against your face and vibrating through your bones. I've been thinking for some time of finding someone to give me a few lessons. Workshops are good, but very variable, though always fun(!)
Like Bribanjo, I'm just starting out on the b/c box, and as soon as I've mastered the layout of the beast, I intend to sign up someone to give me some lessons so that I don't try to reinvent the wheel, like I did with the flute (result: not very round wheel and a very wobbly ride!)
Mark
# Posted on September 5th 2005 by Ottery
Re: Are lessons a good idea ?
Speaking as a teacher of course I will say lessons are helpful, but teachers do have their limits. Many times when my students want to learn traditional music, especially those attending a music school, they want everything metered out: where exactly does that triplet go, what exact part of the beat do you begin/end the rolls and turns---and as a teacher the answer "I don't want you to count so precisely" isn't a good one!
That's when I tell them to listen to live music, good players; do the ear thing. I can handle the technical questions, and make suggestions as to interpretation and musicality but the last thing I want is a little robot fiddler mimicking everything I do.
# Posted on September 5th 2005 by dmarie
Re: Are lessons a good idea ?
Workshops are good for the odd new tune or new trick. Except for trumpet lessons as a youngster, I was entirely self taught (other than a couple of workshop weeks) until recently. Now I am taking monthly guitar lessons and it is making a big difference--I did some things well, but there were other things that are fairly rudimentary that I could not even handle. It has made a big difference, and I am glad I am doing it. It pushes me to practice more and I am becoming much more well rounded.
# Posted on September 5th 2005 by AlBrown
Re: Are lessons a good idea ?
But FIn, I hear you ARE brilliant.
# Posted on September 5th 2005 by Zina Lee
Re: Are lessons a good idea ?
My classical piano teacher fusses at me for counting too precisely. Even in Chopin and all, it is possible to be too technical and count too much. I had lessons on the fiddle for years, and I miss them now. Mostly because the lessons forced me to work on stuff that I wouldn't always work on.
# Posted on September 5th 2005 by musicfan
Re: Are lessons a good idea ?
Go for the lessons. It NEVER hurts to learn all you can from
any source available.
# Posted on September 5th 2005 by Antikhntr
Re: Are lessons a good idea ?
Wow! I wish my piano teacher would fuss at me for counting too much! I'm always getting told to count. And to play louder; but that's something else entirely.
In my opinion, lessons are good. If you have a good teacher, for one thing, they can tell you how to hold your instrument right so you don't hurt yourself. Also, they're good to have around to tell you when you're doing something wrong.
# Posted on September 5th 2005 by TJ
Re: Are lessons a good idea ?
I got the same impression as musicfan. Especially on the fiddle the first year with a good teacher helps a lot. I'm that lucky I got a young student I told him what I want to learn - a very inspiring cooperation. I improved within shorter time.
# Posted on September 5th 2005 by Rufsen
Re: Are lessons a good idea ?
Ha hA !! I'll bet you the shirt off my back...eh..I mean the smile ...that you didn't Zina.
# Posted on September 6th 2005 by BegF
Re: Are lessons a good idea ?
From personal experience, yes. Taking up ITM fiddle after thirty plus years of (mostly jazz) guitar required a complete paradigm shift in perspective that was clarified immensely by sitting across from a fine fiddler / teacher who said "yes... ahh, no." and "...like this...". Over two years now, and even with my critically high standards, I'll admit to making satisfactory progress. Is satisfactory good enough? No! Brilliant would be nice... so.... I have to go practice now...
# Posted on September 6th 2005 by drone
Re: Are lessons a good idea ?
you'd be wrong, Fin!
# Posted on September 6th 2005 by Zina Lee
Re: Are lessons a good idea ?
Was de Mammy talking about me again !!
# Posted on September 6th 2005 by BegF
Re: Are lessons a good idea ?
# Posted on September 6th 2005 by Zina Lee
Re: Are lessons a good idea ?
I often wish I'd had lessons but I could never find a teacher on mandolin.
I suspect I'm too set in my ways now but I fancy one of those week-long mandolin/banjo camp deals if I can ever escape from Castle Routine.
# Posted on September 6th 2005 by Bren
Re: Are lessons a good idea ?
Yeah there appears to be a short supply of mandolin teachers
everywhere !
(you're bluffing Zina)
# Posted on September 6th 2005 by BegF
Re: Are lessons a good idea ?
If you are young, take all the lessons you have time for. If you are older, take the lessons , and, take some time to teach the younger players. By teaching you'll become more aware of what is difficult and where best to spend yor time.
# Posted on September 28th 2005 by wvwhistler