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I will echo what has already been said - one semester is not even close to enough to warrant burning a bridge. Grin and bear it.

In my opinion...any teacher worth his salt will not have a problem with you taking lessons from someone else. In fact, a good teacher will encourage you to take lessons from other teachers, especially if they realize that other teachers may be better in some areas...and they won't take it personally.

That said...there's no reason you should cut off all interaction with your current teacher. You should probably still keep your same teacher for scholastic purposes, and because they've been listening to you for the longest and can tell better if you are indeed improving, what areas are improving/getting worse, etc. Your primary teacher knows where you've come from. But, you shouldn't be discouraged from taking lessons from other pros.

Treasure that friendship, don't risk killing it.

During my undergrad, and then grad years, I also thought that I wasn't getting enough from my teacher. I whined. But now that he's gone, I realize how much he gave me, both as a tubist, and a person.

Rather than sorry I didn't leave, I'm sorry that I may not have communicated my gratitude well enough.

Irv, you were 'da MAN!

Just my opinion...

I think you may be learning more than you realize. You may be the type of person that learns by finding things you don't like (and analyzing the mistakes/shortcomings of others). The reason I think this is because I think the same way sometimes.

My advice - keep taking lessons, you'll learn more than you realize...and if you don't learn that much from the professor, you will definitely learn quite a bit from the other students (by critiquing them yourself). That can really come in handy if you ever plan on teaching private lessons.

Just my opinion again...but I think that if you quit lessons you'll be allowing your ego to get the best of you. You won't learn much going to lessons and studio class with an "I'm not going to learn anything" attitude. If you go in with an open mind and are willing to learn you will learn something no matter what. Part of studio class is learning one one another (not just the professor) regardless of whether or not you are at the higher performing level. Lets just say hypothetically that you did learn very little at the studio class...I think it is important to keep in mind that the other tuba players may be learning quite a bit from your participation.

Don't you need a certain amount of private lesson courses/credits to graduate from your program? If you already have all of the necessary courses/credits, then you should be ok in not taking anymore private lessons through the school with your teacher. Let us know a bit more about the academic situation... that should be something to consider.

Don't you need a certain amount of private lesson courses/credits to graduate from your program? If you already have all of the necessary courses/credits, then you should be ok in not taking anymore private lessons through the school with your teacher. Let us know a bit more about the academic situation... that should be something to consider.

It looks as though he would be fine. He is staying an extra semester so I would assume that he has four years (eight semesters) in already. Since music performance is usually four years (eight semesters of lessons - and he has already been there eight semesters) it looks like he is done with that part of his degree.

It's probably not a good idea to show you the "man behind the curtain". But...

I have had lessons just like yours and now that I'm sitting in the "other chair", I can see a few possible reasons for him telling you the same things over and over.

1. Maybe he's not seeing any kind of motivation on your part to take care of it yourself and is tired of babysitting? I don't know.

2. It could be personal differences? Again, I don't know. YOU need to learn how to work past this. This won't be the last problem of this type in your life.

3. Maybe it's something YOU"RE doing (or not doing). The best lesson I have ever received came from a flute teacher (and it wasn't a scheduled lesson). She told me to go into my lessons and play everything perfectly. If he's saying "you cracked a note", then don't crack a note! Duhh!

4. Could it be that he's preparing you for graduate school? You'll probably get less direction from teachers as a grad student, and then again maybe not. If less direction, then what are you going to do about that? Complain again? Perhaps you're not ready for graduate school.

4a.

I would spend hours and hours preparing etudes or movements of a solo and we'd only spend about 5-10 min on each material...

C'mon. Do you actually expect him to spend hours and hours on your etudes/solo just because you did? Do you have hours and hours of scheduled lessons?


5. What do you think of the idea of....are you ready for this?...ta daaahhh....Of him trying to get you to start learning to teach yourself? Sink or swim? IMHO, I think that would be the best thing any teacher can give their student(s). And to some teachers, it can be viewed as a rite of passage. "If you want it bad enough, you'll figure it out and YOU will put the time AND EFFORT in to figure it out." (Thanks Drill Sergeant Ross! )

Unfortunatley, some students are lazy and want everything spoon fed to them. Just FYI, I've been on both sides of that comment. If you're really motivated, like you seem to be, then you need to, and should want to learn how to study without weekly lessons or someone holding your hand.

It's just like having mommy and daddy charging you rent because you're too old to be living at home. Making you work for your keep. If you want to live here (or play well) then YOU will have to pay rent (or put in the work). Simple economics.


I'm sure all of this doesn't apply to you because you're doing absolutely anything and everything you can to squeeze a drop of info from your teacher. Right?

I don't know, I just play tuba...

Wow, there is a lot of deja vu regarding this thread and there is also some misguided advice too. This is a painful situation... I've been there as a student, and I've also sorted out a handful who have been there too. It's not an uncommon situation.

Since this is common, I'll jump in and comment in general terms (as it's too often un-talked-about)


ABOVE ALL, your education is YOUR responsibility, and these decisions are UNDER YOUR CONTROL!

If you dont feel that you are getting what you need from your teacher, either supplement it with teachings from another person, or completely switch.

IF your current teacher does not approve, then that is even more reason that you need a different teacher. Look at is as if you are a customer of your teacher.

Be brave enough to SEEK OUT knowledge and experience ON YOUR OWN. You get what you pay for (in terms of sheer energy you spend on it!!!)

A BIG part of the equasion is simple chemistry. If you are not vibing with your current teacher, it is no one's fault, it is just the nature of things. Also, our chemistry with people changes as we grow. It's a natural thing. A good teacher will understand this too.

Down the road, you may realize that you actually got a lot from your current teacher, BUT it may take another teacher, some life experience, or just some time to bring that to the surface.

Dont worry about "hurt feelings". That's result of an ego thing, and dont even put energy towards that stuff... a good teacher also knows that.


Also, some students should realize that school may not be the place for them (or an entire 4-6-8 years worth). That's okay and you can still realize your career dreams without the traditional education. If you want to play, or simply study to be a great tuba or euph player, there is NOTHING that says you need to be a part of a university program. (one famous player told me "all I wanted to do is work at a fish cannery and take lessons")

...and on that note, some of the best advice I ever got from a teacher was: "Joe, get the *heck* out of school, you are not going to learn anything in school."

Also realize that you can learn from NON-tuba players too!! Go take some lessons from other profs in the school. Take a lesson from the trumpet teacher, the flute teacher, the violin teacher, a composition professor, a jazz prof, etc etc.

It sounds to me like all you need is some perspective, man. There is nothing wrong with that, and there is nothing wrong with seeking a second opinion or changing your surroundings. Dont give up.

Be bold, and above all TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS. You are drivin' the bus.


Stay positive