[TPIN] RE: TPIN Digest, Vol 17, Issue 4

[William Graham]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Keith Reynolds" <trumpet1 at nycap.rr.com>
> I would say yes, you have to be able to play reasonably well on all those 
> instruments to teach them.  I find it way too difficult to teach an 
> instrument I can't play.  I'm at the high school now and don't keep up 
> many of my secondary instrument chops (I have low brass and ww specialists 
> once a week), but if you've never experienced slurring octaves on a flute 
> how can you teach someone else how to do it?  It takes a bit of time to 
> become proficient on different instruments, but it comes with the job.
> Keith Reynolds

But some of the more advanced students don't need any instruction in the 
physical operation of their particular instrument, but are just using 
teachers for learning the proper interpretation of the music. If this is all 
you need, then you can learn from anyone who is advanced enough to know the 
proper way to interpret music. Basically, this is what I take lessons for. I 
"rub noses" with enough good trumpet players every week so that I can learn 
any technique I want from them. Things like "growling" while you play, or 
flutter tongueing while you play.
    Even some very advanced professionals continue to take lessons to be 
able to properly interpret music. - I saw a televised lesson that Beverly 
Sills took from a lady who must have been well into her 90's. She would sit 
down and lean her chin on her cane and listen to B.S. sing, and then 
suddenly stop her by pounding her cane on the floor and saying, "No, No!" 
sing that high C with more emphasis! (or something like that) Sills was 
within 5 years of retirement at the time.....