Students,when do you stop taking lessons?

BUMNOTE · May 13, 2015

Just wondering when do students stop taking lessons,i know you are always going to learn something,but when do feel that you no longer need to go for a weekly or fortnightly lesson.I am getting to that stage,were I am not looking forward to my lesson,and I don't class myself as a good player,and it is not a bad reflection on the tutor I see,at the moment I seem to have lost my push to keep taking lessons.Dont know if its because I am not playing to get into a band or what,i have tried to get in a band but the ones I have tried,sometimes not everyone turns up and it seems pointless going when they not there.Bumnote.

BigMartin · May 13, 2015

Complicated question. Depends how long it's taking to absorb what you've been taught. At some point, weekly lessons are just overload, unless you've got huge amounts of practice time available. I've found lately that I've been "discovering" things (mainly to do with improvisation) only to then think "Hang on, my teacher was trying to tell me this 4 years ago".

Chris · May 13, 2015

Perhaps chatting with your tutor is a better option than stopping outright. He/she might suggest trying monthly lessons, or they might even say phone me when you feel like you need/want something. Your tutor knows your playing better than anyone on the Internet and therefore will know whats best for you, if they have your best interests at heart and not just the ££'s. ( just don't ask me the last time I had a lesson >:)

)

Chris..

MandyH · May 13, 2015

What sort of a "Band" did you have in mind?

The Film Orchestra wind band has its first rehearsal in Kidderminster on May 23rd
TFO Wind Band: Rehearsal
When
Sat 23 May 2015 13:15 – 15:15 GMT
Where
Blakedown Parish Rooms, 18 Belbroughton Road, Blakedown, DY10 3JG

People seem to travel from all around to play in other branches of the band.

Otherwise, in answer to your question...I still have lessons, although I am not currently working towards anything specific (I got grade 8 last year and my Diploma plans are on hold at the moment) But I still feel my teacher and I have lots to learn. Sometimes she finds a piece for us to work on, sometimes I find a piece to work on.
But lessons are always informative and enjoyable.

Jeanette · May 13, 2015

Interesting question and I agree with Chris chat it over with your tutor.

I made mine fortnightly because I didn't have time to learn the stuff he gave me weekly.

I didn't enjoy last nights lesson at all really which is unusual and no reflection on my tutor. I know I still have so much to learn but I also need to find more time to practice. I suppose it depends what you want to get out of lessons and what progress you feel you can make on your own. Sometimes just having someone else to play along with is fun.

Jx

Colin the Bear · May 13, 2015

Progress seems to go very quick at first and then it feels to slow. You can get bogged down in mastering the practicalities of the instrument and music theory and scale practice.

I find goals important. I need something to aim at.

I love to perform and am always looking for something that wows me to learn and try to wow an audience with.

The monthly challenges on here are very useful.

It's very good advice to talk to your teacher. Talk about what you want, where you're going and where you'd like to be.

If band isn't for you or you can't find one you like get yourself a little repertoire together and have a go at a solo spot at an open mic.

If playing and practicing has become a chore then something needs to change or you'll pack it in.

SaxDon · May 13, 2015

Very subjective topic this. Personally, I stopped taking one-to-one lessons after about a year (in my teens). Most of my learning (nearly all of it!) has come since through listening, playing with others, workshops and using loads (and I mean loads!) of different method/technique books.

A tutor to start with was great to develop a solid foundation, as bad habits are hard to get out of, but beyond this I didn't get much out it. For me, having to think for yourself is a better foundation for developing.

I digress slightly, but talking about this reminds me of an acquaintance who took over 100 driving lessons before taking his test. At that point he realised he couldn't drive at all without his instructor sitting next to him!

P.S. I think he now works in Portsmouth City Council's transport department 😛

Vlad · May 13, 2015

Now, I'm a terrible example and not one to follow, but ... I first got a (tenor) sax as a teenager ( 1970s) and had a few lessons...then , as soon as I could play a bit , was swiftly recruited into the world of being in Bands ! ( bear in mind this was the Punk era )
That was pretty much the end of having lessons and 'winged' it from there..not that I'd recommend this approach, but I'm sure there are lots of blokes , especially of my, err.. 'vintage', who took this lone path ! 🙂

jbtsax · May 13, 2015

I agree with Colin that it is important to have something to work toward. It is hard for me to practice just to be practicing---and I'm a music teacher. :w00t:

My mentor in college used to say that the role of a teacher is to make himself/herself unnecessary---that is to teach students not only how to play, but more importantly how to continue to learn on their own. The reality is that the teacher will not always be there. So my answer to the question is "when you can solve musical problems on your own without your teacher's help."

Jay · May 13, 2015

When will I stop having lessons? When I have nothing left to learn from my teacher - hmmmm, that'll be a long time (never) then.

ProfJames · May 13, 2015

My tutor.....Peter Ripper...has several pro sax players who go to him for lessons............

jimmylh · May 14, 2015

I've been with my current tutor for a year now. I was lucky to find him and I'm his only student. I'm going to keep on until he gets tired of me.

Jay · May 14, 2015

ProfJames said:
My tutor.....Peter Ripper...has several pro sax players who go to him for lessons............

Yes, mine too. The guy who has his lesson before me sometimes has been playing with Garry for about 20 years - and he's clearly still getting something out of it.

BUMNOTE · May 17, 2015

Thank you all for your replies,think I just got fed up of going to peoples ads to join a band and it all fall apart after a couple of sessions,Apart from practicing for grades,sometimes it does get a bit boring just playing alone,maybe like colin suggests may have to try a open mic night(song suggestions welcome).Anyway I have no intention of packing in the sax,once I start something,good or bad I carry on,i had the same attitude when I started my martial arts training 40yrs ago,and am still training.Thanks All. Bumnote.

Jeanette · May 17, 2015

Form your own band instead of responding to others then you can choose your band mates 🙂

Jx

Jay · May 17, 2015

BUMNOTE said:
Thank you all for your replies,think I just got fed up of going to peoples ads to join a band and it all fall apart after a couple of sessions,Apart from practicing for grades,sometimes it does get a bit boring just playing alone,maybe like colin suggests may have to try a open mic night(song suggestions welcome).Anyway I have no intention of packing in the sax,once I start something,good or bad I carry on,i had the same attitude when I started my martial arts training 40yrs ago,and am still training.Thanks All. Bumnote.

Is there a Big Band or Swing Band in your area? I go to one and it's good fun.

baritonesax · Jun 1, 2015

Michael Brecker never stopped getting coaching. He wouldn't say who from - but he never stopped.

Michael. Brecker.

U CAN CALL ME AL · Jun 4, 2015

At Brecon Jazz Festival a couple of years back I heard a current highly regarded professional say that he gave up on Al Kohn as teacher because he required him to know the lyrics to standards!
As someone who likes the verbal prompting lyrics provide for the melodic structure of a tune I found this the most crass reason for dismissing a teacher.
I think it is essential to discuss what you wish to achieve with your teacher and only continue if you get a gut feeling that it is mutualy achievable.

Colin the Bear · Jun 7, 2015

If there's no words or I don't like them, I make some up. If you're playing a well known song you need to be right with them or well away from them imo. Having said that, lots of would be singers play saxophone because they can't remember the words.