Giving your child the gift of learning a musical instrument is a gift that will last a lifetime. That private lessons aid greatly in progress on the an instrument cannot be overstated. This in turn increases the pleasure and sense of accomplishment for your child. The skills used in learning an instrument are transferrable to almost anything a child may wishes to accomplish — concentration, determination, patience, persistence, analytical skills, and creativity. Much is written these days about the benefits to learning Math and other subjects that come from playing music. A child will also feel the joy and even bliss of playing music. If they are in a band in their school they will feel absolute and inexpressible joy of joining with others to play, in that unified, single mind and energy that is created when making music together.

Your role is very important in the success of your child’s experience. Being interested, encouraging, listening to what they are playing, and creating a space for them to practice is really important. Asking them to practice, perhaps routinely at a regular time each day will help. (more on this tricky subject below

Clarinet students will need:

• A clarinet in good playing condition, with mouthpiece. You may rent, buy or rent to buy.
• A music stand
• A clarinet kit which is composed of a good cotton swab about the size of a handkerchief, cork grease, and a reed case.
• Reeds. If they are just beginning, no. 1 or 1.5 reed will do the job. As their facial muscles (embouchure) develop they will play harder and harder reeds, up to a no. 4 or 5.
• More advanced students will benefit from a tuner and metronome.
• I will provide the study book and a notebook for them to work from, requesting payment from you at the 2nd lesson. cost approximately $17.00. Other music will be provided as necessary.

Practice

Well, this is the bugabear for all of us. How do we get them to practice?! You don’t want to fight with them, I know. Even in elementary school they can have quite a lot of homework and time can be hard to find.. But…… this year I am determined that they practice – and will provide a practice record which I will keep tabs on. The progress and rewards from practice are huge. I will be asking them to practice 5 days a week (or more ). The length of time will depend on whether they are just beginning and have yet to develop the muscles needed or an intermediate student with more experience, as well as their other schedules and demands. Regular practice is very important, because they build on what we did in the lesson and what they practiced the days before. What they did will be forgotten if they wait to long to play again. If they don’t practice they will not progress very far at all. Breaks from practice are important too so the muscles and brain may rest and integrate what they have done.

I will also bring students together with parents at the end of each term to play for each other and celebrate the work they have done that term. I think this will motivate them to practice also.

Arriving for the Lesson

Please have the student arrive 5 minutes early so they can set up and get ready to play as soon as the student before them is finished.