Re: Re: Re: I need advise.


[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ TubeNet BBS ] [ FAQ ]

Posted by js on September 21, 2001 at 21:36:43:

In Reply to: Re: Re: I need advise. posted by Rick Denney on September 21, 2001 at 11:05:22:

A couple of years ago, I agreed to teach tuba at a large university (again, after getting out of that profession many years ago) even though I knew it would cost me some of my income to do so. When I was struggling over whether or not to accept this assignment, I placed some controverial and provocative posts on this bbs to get some who taught tuba students at universities to post passionately about their profession. I didn't reveal the motive for my posts, and their (Jay B., Dave Z., et al) comments were very insightful.

After trying it (again) and admittedly having some rewarding moments, I had to beg off
(again) and go back to something over which I could exercise more control: my store...

My second try at university tuba teaching was quite an experience. I had one student who claimed that he was to be an orchestral tubaist, but who rarely prepared for lessons with more than a 65% effort (Yes, it IS obvious to teachers what students are capable of doing). This student had at least two years of undergraduate school left, was 22 years old, and was STILL blaming the progress of his life on A.D.D. Another student, who was 23 and had just transferred from the end of a program at a two-year college, was the most talented and did the least work. Quite apparently, he was a victim of his own immaturity. Excuses for not practicing (or showing up) included such things as having to drive a drunk friend back from a casino, etc. Another student signed up for lessons, only came to "talk" once about "schedule conflicts" halfway through the semester, and was (to me) obviously a crack dealer with his beeper,case of the sniffles, and "joke" schedule of classes (weight training, swimming, jazz band, etc.)...Other professors poo-pooed me when I stated my observations. Another student reminded me of the movie "The Jerk" (where Steve Martin picked up everything he could possibly carry on his way out of the mansion that he had just lost) in the way that he had decided to (as a full-time university student) get married, get a job, pay rent, have kids, etc. One other student had a crazy embouchure (FINALLY!!! A PROBLEM THAT I COULD SOLVE !!!!!) and I got that young man on the right track and helped him find a good tuba. (As a vendor with a code of ethics, I avoided selling him anything myself.) That one young man actually was functional, and was equipped to deal with his environment.

At the end of the day, seemingly to refresh my sanity, Austin H. (of this bbs) came in after (MIDDLE) school and played supersonic rings around my university students. I can only imagine how well he is doing today, and look forward to possibly teaching him some again, this year. My only challenge with Austin was to try and "harness" his 14-year-old mind's concentration, and from his posts on this bbs, it is obvious that he is becoming a very well-focused young man. (At the time he was playing The #1 Strauss Horn Concerto, Air and Bouree (briskly and accurately!), and other works that 18-to-21-year-olds at conservatories tackle.)

Playing with the faculty quintet was a treat, as the other faculty were extremely talented
(Eastman / NEC / LSU type folks), and the trombone professor (who, coincidentally also resigned at the end of the year to pay more attention to his own progress in his performance abilities) agressively pushed the group to the limit with cutting-edge literature for each recital.

Getting back to the students, as you see - one of my five students was a "together" TUBA student, and the others I spent most of my time trying to encourage them to become adults. The challenge was beyond me. Perhaps I did a small amount of good (???). It drained limited energy that I needed to keep my business profitable and to raise my OWN (actually child-aged) children.

Joe "who admires teachers in the trenches of dysfunctional students, and who is envious of those who have more than 20% functional students" S.


Follow Ups: