The BAVS FAQQuestions about teachers
The violin is one of the most difficult instruments to learn. Though there has been a great deal written about how to play the instrument. much of it is targeted at students who are seeking a supplement to their teacher or a reminder of the correct things to do, or at violin teachers themselves. Because everyone is physically somewhat different, each violinist ends up with a different approach to the instrument. Because of these physical differences, it is extremely difficult to learn to play from a book or from a video. Furthermore, this kind of instructional material represents the viewpoints of multiple people, often belonging to different "schools" of thought about the correct technical and musical approaches to the instrument, and thus can provide contradictory advice. A good teacher understands how to help a student discover the approach that will work for them, and can provide instruction on the proper technique, advice on musical approaches, and assistance in developing the student's ear. Learning to listen critically, and determine how the sounds produced map to physical movements, is an extremely important skill for a violinist to develop. Though it is not impossible to begin to learn the instrument on one's own, progress is likely to be much more rapid, and the frustration level far lower, if a competent teacher is obtained. [Last update: Tue Apr 11 01:31:54 2000.] How can I get started without a teacher? If you cannot afford a teacher, or none is available in the area where you live, you should try for the next-best thing -- see if you can find someone who plays the violin to at least show you a few basics. Otherwise, you'll have to resort to books and videos.Southwest Strings sells instructional videos. If you have played another instrument, you might want to try getting Helen Martin's Secret Weapon Video: Violin for Musicians, which has received some strong recommendations. Many books on the violin are not aimed at beginners; it would be preferable to choose books that are. However, for good pictures and detailed explanations, try Ivan Galamian's Principles of Violin Playing and Teaching, 3rd Edition and Simon Fischer's Basics. [Last update: Sun Sep 16 01:17:41 2001.] A poll of BAVS members indicates that roughly four-fifths (80%) of the group's membership pays between $10 and $24 for 30 minutes of lesson time -- i.e., at least $20, but less than $50, for an hour-long lesson. The cost of lessons is closely related to the cost of living in your area, as well as to the skill of the teacher. On the low end, a college student majoring in music might teach for as little as $10 an hour; on the high end, an excellent teacher in a major metropolis might charge as much as $150 an hour. In general, it is probably reasonable for you to pay between $10 and $50 for an hour-long lesson. The policies of teachers with regard to the payment of fees, and cancellations, vary widely. Some teachers require that, once you become established as their regular student, there is payment up-front for a month of lessons, which allows the teachers to be able to predict their income and shields them from last-minute cancellations. Also, if you are enrolled in a program (community music school, college or conservatory adult extension, Suzuki program, etc.), you can expect to pay some kind of additional program fees, usually on a per-semester basis. Often, such programs charge a sum for an entire semester, which then includes a certain number of private lessons and other services; in this case, you pay the program and not the teacher directly. [Last update: Sun Sep 16 01:56:02 2001.] There are many ways to find teachers. Here are some suggestions:
If a teacher turns you down, they can often recommend you to someone else. Teachers at local conservatories can also often recommend past students of theirs whom they feel teach well. [Last update: Sun Sep 16 02:39:15 2001.] A potential teacher was discouraging. Help! In the course of searching for a teacher -- or even just talking to professional violinists in your area -- you may hear that some teachers don't like teaching adult beginners, or they don't feel that adult beginners can successfully learn to play the instrument. Don't let them discourage you. (And you certainly don't want to study with someone who's reluctant to teach an adult, or who doesn't enjoy teaching adults!)Some teachers have had negative experiences teaching adult beginners. However, one must remember that plenty of teachers have negative experiences teaching children, too! Teachers often seem to have a fear that their adult students don't know what they're getting into, in terms of the time commitment of daily practice and the sheer number of years needed to become a skilled player; adults with unrealistic expectations often become discouraged within the first two years, and quit. Don't let this be you! Teaching adult students does present challenges in overcoming reduced physical flexibility (compared to a child), but it's certainly not insurmountable (though certainly ailments like arthritis will present serious problems). Also, some teachers are uncomfortable with the greater degree of equality that exists between the teacher and the adult student -- there is a lack of control that exists with children. Others are not sure how to communicate in a teaching setting with adults. Many teachers are delighted to have adult students, who genuinely want to be learning the instrument rather than being forced by parents, and therefore exhibit commitment and enthusiasm that they don't often see in children. Look for those people. [Last update: Sun Sep 16 01:45:58 2001.] What qualities should I look for in a teacher? It can take some time and effort to find a violin teacher that you like. Some questions you may want to ask a potential teacher include:
It is perfectly okay to "audition" several teachers (take a single lesson from them) before you decide who to study with; you should let your potential candidates know that you're shopping around up-front, though. It is also okay to switch teachers later on, though you should let your current teacher know a little in advance, make sure that you're up-to-date in your payment for lessons, and politely explain why you're moving to another teacher. [Last update: Tue Apr 11 02:19:31 2000.] How long should my lessons be? A poll of the BAVS membership indicates that, of those who study with a teacher, roughly 90% take lessons weekly. This is the expected norm for private teaching, though many teachers are willing to have somewhat greater scheduling flexibility with adult students, in order to accomodate the less predictable lives of adults.Children typically begin the instrument with a 30-minute weekly lesson; this is also not uncommon for adults. However, adults, with their greater powers of concentration, can often immediately benefit from a 60-minute weekly lesson. Some pedagogues have recommended that beginners take two 30-minute lessons a week, because this provides greater opportunity for quick correction to the physical errors that inevitably occur; this approach, however, has not been commonly adopted by teachers. You should probably expect to have an hour-long lesson, weekly. [Last update: Sun Sep 16 02:46:15 2001.]
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