Hi,
I am a beginner at sax, playing alto. I am a 25 year old adult. At first, I had a big passion for saxophone, and I started to read books and watch video lectures on my own to learn to get a sound on my sax. I did learn basic things for few weeks, and understood a lot of theory on playing saxophone. I have a strong music background in playing piano for 6 year music school back in my teenage years. I signed for a Yamaha Music School Junior Saxophone course (they have only this junior program). It is individual lessons for duration of 30 minutes once a week. I am attending this lessons for something more than a month.
The teacher is older guy and probably experienced. But I kind of start to question whether switching to a private classes can be a better option for better progress.
The thing is that for the first few lessons, I just sit down and play tunes that he puts in front of me. However, I don't get any feedback or comments. Just hear a short "good" or "softer" once in a while and that's it, no explanation or comment on how to improve or what to focus on. My question is "Am I that good by myself since he doesn't correct me at all?" or he just doesn't care as long as a sound goes on for a beginner its good. I can't complain about the materials that I am getting, since he gives me tons of things to play. The class is meant for Pop or Rock, and since I like more Jazz, he gave me some basic Jazz exercise as well. I do practice every day and try to organize my practice as good as I can. But, I feel like I except the materials that I am getting, so far I heard no advice or comment whatsoever. I am using things I previously learned by myself or things that I learn on youtube videos.
Another thing is that out of that short 30 mins, in 2 out of my 5 lessons I got only 15 with him since he goes to copy materials and prepare stuff for me. I guess he does this at that moment, because he has classes all day, students just go in one after the other...
So I am asking some of you that are more experienced and that maybe can give me an opinion on this situation.
For example, I found a private teacher for similar amount to have 45-60 min lessons. I am not sure how good he is, he is quite young and very good performer. He is an endorsed Yamaha Artist, so I guess he should be good at it, think gonna have a trial lessons to see the difference.
Let me know what you think about it. Should I maybe stick to the Yamaha, cause I am maybe overreacting fast and maybe their program is quite good to get to some decent level? Or maybe it's gonna be much better to switch to this private lessons.
Of course no one can tell for sure, maybe both are not bad... But just an opinion or advice out of your experience will be very helpful.
Thanks
I am a beginner at sax, playing alto. I am a 25 year old adult. At first, I had a big passion for saxophone, and I started to read books and watch video lectures on my own to learn to get a sound on my sax. I did learn basic things for few weeks, and understood a lot of theory on playing saxophone. I have a strong music background in playing piano for 6 year music school back in my teenage years. I signed for a Yamaha Music School Junior Saxophone course (they have only this junior program). It is individual lessons for duration of 30 minutes once a week. I am attending this lessons for something more than a month.
The teacher is older guy and probably experienced. But I kind of start to question whether switching to a private classes can be a better option for better progress.
The thing is that for the first few lessons, I just sit down and play tunes that he puts in front of me. However, I don't get any feedback or comments. Just hear a short "good" or "softer" once in a while and that's it, no explanation or comment on how to improve or what to focus on. My question is "Am I that good by myself since he doesn't correct me at all?" or he just doesn't care as long as a sound goes on for a beginner its good. I can't complain about the materials that I am getting, since he gives me tons of things to play. The class is meant for Pop or Rock, and since I like more Jazz, he gave me some basic Jazz exercise as well. I do practice every day and try to organize my practice as good as I can. But, I feel like I except the materials that I am getting, so far I heard no advice or comment whatsoever. I am using things I previously learned by myself or things that I learn on youtube videos.
Another thing is that out of that short 30 mins, in 2 out of my 5 lessons I got only 15 with him since he goes to copy materials and prepare stuff for me. I guess he does this at that moment, because he has classes all day, students just go in one after the other...
So I am asking some of you that are more experienced and that maybe can give me an opinion on this situation.
For example, I found a private teacher for similar amount to have 45-60 min lessons. I am not sure how good he is, he is quite young and very good performer. He is an endorsed Yamaha Artist, so I guess he should be good at it, think gonna have a trial lessons to see the difference.
Let me know what you think about it. Should I maybe stick to the Yamaha, cause I am maybe overreacting fast and maybe their program is quite good to get to some decent level? Or maybe it's gonna be much better to switch to this private lessons.
Of course no one can tell for sure, maybe both are not bad... But just an opinion or advice out of your experience will be very helpful.
Thanks
Sounds to me that your teacher fails to communicate with you effectively, both to give you input, by way of proper and considered instruction and on your output regarding your skills, abilities and progress [No Feedback].
I would certainly look elsewhere ...
Sorry to be so blunt and negative but if you seriously want to progress, then I truly believe that your current teacher is not the best person to help you achieve your goals ...
