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RE: The Self-Taught Player

Author: Gordon (NZ)
Date: 2001-02-26 01:30

Some correction is called for here...

Ginny wrote "It is remarkable that some of the very same people opposed to do-it-yourself clarinet repair (in the thread below) are in favor of do-it-yourself clarinet teaching. "

My post on clarinet repair highlighted that there was a lot more to an overhaul than changing pads, and that considerable experience was needed to do a good job of identifying and dealing with all these other mechainical aspects. I did not intend in any way to convey that I was OPPOSED to somebody wanting to try this. How could I do that with any integrity when I am also entirely self taught as an instrument repairer. Ginny you got me wrong here. I told the would be reapirer via email to "Go for it! I am totally self-taught in this job and if I had not tackled my
run-over Haynes flute the job would never have begun."

Anji: I like what you wrote. This should be a forum for presenting and considering ideas, not emotive defensiveness.

As Ginny says, there sure are short cuts to be gained from excellent teaching. Unfortunately it is often difficult to find, and an excellent teacher for one student's mind may not be at all appropriate for another student's different type of mind. Self-tuition may well be less appropriate for a young student than it is for an adult with well developed analitical skills.

If I had gone to a school to learn instrument repairing I would have been taught traditional ways of doing each task. It probably took longer teaching myself, but because my learning is based on very thorough analysis I understand extremely well WHY I do every thing I do. Everything has been questioned thoroughly (somewthing I could probably not have done without the contribution of a background in formal mechanics eduacation). In many cases I believe that I have developed new methods and use of materials that are considerably superior to what is traditionally used. This probably would not be so if I went to a school and got indoctrinated with the traditional.

So there is, of course a place for both. The gist of this thread is to point out that having an outside teacher is not the only valid way to go. Those who are self-teaching deserve to have encouragement to confidently follow this course if they so wish without it being invalidated.

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