Starting a student off right with good instruction can have profound impact on the speed and quality of music that is created or reproduced. As an example my daughter recently started to learn to play the cornet. Having studied with her instructor on jazz keyboard techniques, I new he was a great teacher and horn player. I was excited to see how she would do and start this journey with her new instrument.
Starting Technique Off Right
The entire process started with technique of using her mouth to create a good embouchure and how important it was to get that set correctly. It was a discussion of all the things going on and funny exercises to make it happen. I recall she didn't even pick up her instrument until the last 3 minutes of the first lesson and that was only to explore how to hold it.
It was actually three lessons latter before she blow her first note. Here's the rub, that first note was absolutely of great quality. Not only were her eyes wide open so were mine. Her instructor was beaming with result that was achieved.
Compare that with what you might see in grade school band class, where the teacher does not have the resources or the time to properly work with the students on the correct technique. Even worse they may not even know the right technique considering all the instruments that are involved.
Find the Right Teacher
Of course finding an instructor that has the correct technique is not always an easy task. As matter of fact it likely is not even on your top list of criteria. Why? Because you haven't even thought about it, were never taught it, or don't even know what to look for in an instructor. I was certainly in that category when I started.
Think about how you are going to ensure that you are getting good technique and instruction. Using the internet with the new video age can be a great resource in being able to compare and contrast and give you a base for asking questions or observing good instruction.
Find additional ideas to for accurate music practice and other
considerations at the Music Learning Workshop and explore further the concept of making sure you are on the right track to success with music.
Brad Chidester writes and develops ideas and resources at the MusicLearningWorkshop.com where you will discover other resources for accelerating your skill set such as the Getting It Down Cold Workbook series.
