Tutoring?

[Brassdad]

I've looked into the old TubeNet topics but didn't see anything that assisted/covered this question.

What can tutoring do to progress my son past where he is in middle school music?

He's starting his 3rd year of Tuba, and even assists the first year students for his teacher (as he is now "the old man" of the big brass). But at home I notice he doesn't always hit the mark on higher notes and has to slide into them. At the tuba/euphonium event in DC this summer, it was apparent that he didn't have the experience of the other young people in his category. They all had at least 1 more year playing on him, but they all had 2 or more years ot tutoring.

I assume tutoring will help, and he'd gain 1 on 1 vice 1 on 30 in the class room setting. But how (roughly) can I know where to go?

I don't think this is a "pushy dad" thing as he wants to do better. I love the fact that he plays music (My strong suit is listening to music, and his sister is looking forward to getting into music in middle school. I just want him to keep his interest up and nothing does that better than gaining in skills (my experience in other endeavours).

[tubeast]

To be honest I´m not sure what you mean by tutoring. To me that´s lessons / guided practise time in addition to the normal lessons offered in school.
I don´t know, DO THEY offer tuba lessons at all at your son´s school ? I remember having band as a class, and we DID learn about performing and working as a section, but most of individual musicianship was developed out of school and then brought into class.
So I´d consider private lessons the foundation to what´s done in band class, rather than the other way around.

And yes, I do think private lessons are GREAT accomplish serious tuba playing.

[Brassdad]

yes, probably a misnomer on my part. I am talking about private lessons. Am starting out with talking tomorrow with the local high school teacher to see if he knows of anyone in the area.

Also to ask about frequency of lessons (weekly, twice weekly, something else ), and length (half hour, 45 minutes, one hour) of session.

[Bob Mosso]

My kids (7th and 9th grades) are taking private lessons from last years 1st chair high school seniors. Very reasonable price and it has made a huge difference in their progress as a musician. Once a week for 45 minutes.

[finnbogi]

I think private lessons are a necessary compliment to band playing. While band playing is excellent for developing reading skills and intonation, these are merely the mechanics of playing. Developing musicality (sense of phrase, interpretation etc.) and addressing individual problems is best done one-on-one. Although it is preferable to receive lessons from someone playing your instrument, I don't think this is absolutely necessary. Of course the teacher must understand the instrument and how it works, but the music is always the same.

I am not familiar with the American system, but in my part of the world everyone attending a local music school has one hour of private lessons every week (1x60 min. or 2x30 min.), in addition to band/string orchestra/guitar quartets/whatever.

[windshieldbug]

I never got ANYWHERE until I took privately! I progressed OK at my Jr. High and High school because joining band meant also getting an brief 1 on 1 with a band director each week, but that was someone who taught EVERY instrument...

One thing you want to communicate is the JOY of music, not just the discipline, and for that you don't want someone who is struggling to remember the fingerings also. Find someone who is comfortable with the tuba and loves it, for whom playing is just like talking, and that will create huge volumes of expectations in your son's head. "I wanna sound just like xxxxxxxx... , who I see all the time... " and "playing the tuba is cool!".

Music is communication, and what you don't want to communicate is either ONLY hard work, or relative ignorance!

[Brassdad]

thetubachick wrote:

But some thing else to think about is having him take lessons with an older and/or more experienced student in the area.

Interesting....the high school band director had offered the same idea with his senior tubist. My son and I are going to the football game tomorrow to see/hear the band and look into this. A week back we went to the high school because it was hosting a marching band competition (20 schools). We got to talk briefly with the director (between hair fires) and my son did meet the senior tubist, but he was likewise occupied.
Hope to have a few more minutes to discuss these things, but know they will be busy (when aren't they - it's band!)

Appreciate all the assistance, votes, and thoughts. I'll continue to monitor as I'm sure more folks will weigh in...or throw in some humor.

[windshieldbug]

Hey folks- maybe it's not a dumb phrase after all!

[Brassdad]

and in good form, windshieldbug is first.

I'd submit the following tudor for the spelling impaired (yes that's me as well)



and I really did start this in all seriousness.

[MaryAnn]

I'm not too sure about studying with a high school student. If you're a "natural" player, you won't have to work very hard at technique, and a teacher who has a "music focus" will be fine. If you're not....you need someone who can really clearly tell you how to fix things. If that person can't tell what you're doing wrong, you'll end up with someone who gives vague instructions and then is confused when you don't improve.

Been there. On both ends...when I was an advanced high school violinist, I had a job in the summer before my junior year, as a teacher's helper in a string program. I didn't have a CLUE what to tell kids who did not have a CLUE either. If they couldn't get the pitch right, I couldn't tell them how to fix it; it was just something I heard and I couldn't figure out why they couldn't hear it. Etc.

So....be careful in picking a teacher. Find one whose students play well!! Get recommendations from students of the teacher you're considering, as to how much easier the teacher made it to play the instrument.

Yeah, this is one of my soap boxes. You can't play the music until you can play the instrument.

MA

[Brassdad]

Thanks MaryAnn,

I figure not only will the experience be important, but ability to explain and train.
Also figure that personal interaction will be important as well. Liking your teacher pays off (usually).
Last year his music teacher (they got a new one when she went to a different school) had him working with the 6th grade tubists. I always wonder how that went. He's been helpful in several areas in the past, sports, karate, ect. where the instructor has had him help younger/less experienced members.
I just believe that 1 on 1 with a good teacher will only help.

[Tom Holtz]

Brassdad: Check your e-mail, sir.

[Brassdad]

Yes Gunnery Sergeant!

[Tom Holtz]

What I wish someone had said already is, go to a college and find a mature and experienced player there. They may not be a marine band player or the professor at that college or university, but the price would probably be more reasonable. It's my personal opinion that a good player with a music ed. background will have a lot of insight as far as pedagogy goes, and will be pumped about having a teaching opportunity, and just like me, could really use the money.

Good call. Anyone looking for a teacher (on any instrument) who lives within 50 miles of a college or university with a Music Ed. program should start by dialing up the studio for input. Hit the web and scope out the schools near you to find out what's happening in the music department, and get some numbers to call.

Conversely, music students at the college level pursuing education degrees should be getting their names out to their local school, even elementary schools, and doing all they can to get some students. There's no better time than the present to find out if teaching is what you really want to do, and the real world experience is invaluable and crucial to your development. It's similar to jazz improv in that you can read as many books and listen to as many lectures as you like, but it ain't the same as getting out there and doing it.

If you're still having trouble finding a private teacher, do like Brassdad and knock on TubeNet's door.

[Hank74]

I can definitely say that tutoring or taking private lessons, however you phrase it, is important for anyone who wishes to be at least competent on the tuba. As one who only three years ago didn't know how to play, I can thank my former teacher, a tuba expert in his own right and the conductor of my local TC, for giving me the pointers and patience to make my tuba playing that much more easier and enjoyable. I truly had a great time and would recommend taking lessons to anyone!

Hank74

[tubeast]

I´m sure the kind of lessons work best depends on where you are in your career as a tubist.

Learning to play trumpet at 14, I started off with weekly 45 minutes lessons. Of course, I limited my practising time to the 10 minutes before I had to go to the lessons.
Later on, having tooted the tuba for about 2 years by myself and being more mature and serious about playing, I had lessons with a local pro tubist. That was managed by the local public music school, who charged a certain amount for weekly 45 min. sessions. Soon we figured out that it was best to meet every two weeks to give me enough practise time to work on my own, and do 1.5 hours of lesson instead.
That was great because during such a lesson all aspects from warm-up via etudes to solo work could be adressed.

Today I think I could benefit the most from occasional lessons lasting several hours, every 4-6 weeks.

[Kevin Hendrick]

The "hot dog vendor" would be unlikely to receive a recommendation, as I understand he has no relish for such endeavors.

He can't cut the mustard, eh?

[Charlie Goodman]

The "hot dog vendor" would be unlikely to receive a recommendation, as I understand he has no relish for such endeavors.

He can't cut the mustard, eh?

Frank-ly, it took a while but you did ketchup.

They have places for you people....

[windshieldbug]

They have places for you people...

Just make sure you watch out for that condimental drift!

[Kevin Hendrick]

Just make sure you watch out for that condimental drift!

Would I be correct in thinking that has something to do with upper-and-lower-plate tectonics?

They have places for you people....

"There's a place for us ..."