Performing weekly for a private instructor helps the student become a more confident and independent player. The individual setting allows for deeper analysis of a student's playing, more in-depth feedback, and the opportunity for the student to practice a skill with the guidance of the instructor. The format of a band rehearsal typically forces the band director to give the student advice and ask that they practice it at home.
Every child learns at a different pace and in a different way. For example, one child may have no trouble at all properly placing his/her hands on the instrument and quickly becoming dexterous, whereas another may find it much more difficult. Additionally, throughout a musician's career, it is important to develop proper habits with forming the proper embouchure (position of the mouth on the instrument’s mouthpiece). There are many subtleties to embouchure formation which can be easily manipulated in a one-on-one instruction format.
We are all a product of our experiences. Students need to be regularly exposed to a high-level, characteristic sound to which they can aspire. Just as we learn to speak properly by listening to others speak, young instrumentalists learn to play with a characteristic sound by listening to professional musicians who play with one.
Private instructors become role models for students. While students move through different classes, grade levels, and schools, it is possible for them to retain a private instructor for 7 or more years. This allows the student and private instructor to develop a strong rapport, for the private instructor to map a long-term plan for the student's musical growth, and for the student to observe a professional musician in the field for an extended period.
Private instructors provide a new source of motivation. Once past the beginner stage of playing, a music student needs a new set of goals to achieve. A private instructor is knowledgeable about different music literature and styles and can help the student discover what new music to learn, what goal to pursue next, and what new artist to study.
A transparent approach to goal-setting inherently improves the product. Sometimes, all a student needs in order to remain focused and goal-oriented is someone to report to on a regular basis. Goals set in conjunction with the teacher hold a greater weight in the mind of the student, driving him or her to work hard in between lessons.
A young musician needs to learn how to practice. A student spends more time weekly alone in a practice room, at home, with the instrument than he/she does with a private instructor each week. That time should be well-organized and efficiently spent. By sending the student home weekly with proper practice skills, the private instructor can help the student maximize practice sessions. A student's ownership of the practice session via proven techniques also tends to eliminate the fear or dread sometimes associated with practicing.
Students are able to focus on supplemental exercises written specifically for their instrument. A homogeneous instrumental setting allows the teacher to expose the student to higher level material, catered to their skill level. There is a vast amount of instrument-specific literature that students will love to explore.
All West auditions can be approached on a more individual level. Private instructors meet a child where he/she is to begin study of All West music and develop an individualized plan to prepare them for the audition. This helps students learn how to set goals, and how to scaffold several small weekly goals into the ultimate goal of success in the audition room.
Instructors give students a chance to play a unique solo that they love at Solo and Ensemble. Private instructors, experts on solo repertoire for their instrument, are able to offer students a number of solos that are ideal for the student's development level. Instructors can also choose solos that can target a specific objective for the student, such as extending range, improving articulation, or familiarizing atypical key signatures.
For more information please email Mr. Hopper at bhopper@lakelandk12.org .