To all Members, regarding flute teachers:

I think I have seen posts from members of the forum who were concerned about “teachers”.

As I said, in earlier posts, I have had 4 teachers, and have been playing for 40 years. The ONLY advantage that having played for 40 years is that, obviously, one can NOT do “any given thing” for 40 years and “not get it”.

I do NOT consider my having studied under 4 different teachers to be an advantage, in any way. In fact, now that I look upon my past, I consider it to have been a disadvantage.

I feel that one must find that teacher, who appreciates a student’s facility, desire and INDIVIDUAL style of playing. And that translates to: ONE teacher. Stick with him, or her, if you trust their teachings, and who appreciates the individual voice you bring to your playing.

I’ve had four teachers --- two of whom I did NOT like (therefore, in all fairness I won’t give you (his or her) name.

Why didn’t I like the 2 of my four teachers? It’s because they wanted to impart THEIR OWN style of playing and teaching upon me, during my lessons. I think this is grossly unfair and irresponsible.

They wanted me to attempt to emulate THEIR style of playing, accompanied by their ranting and ravings, with the hollering about my “posture”, my “weaving and bobbing”, etc.

One teacher even told me that I would make a better “acrobat” than flutist.

So, just to please them, I played as they wanted me to play during my 45 minute lesson --- just to shut them up. Then, once I got home, I played the way I was most comfortable with. I am, incidentally, talking about “household name” flutists. So much for their “temperament(s)”.

Since I am limited in “words” on this post, I will continue it in my post, entitled: “Teachers, Part 2”.

Best to all: Jim Millen

Jim, I think the important part is not how many teachers you have, but how well suited they are to teaching YOU, and how informed and flexible they are. At some point, regardless of who the teacher is, you're going to run out of things to learn from them. This can happen relatively fast with a low quality teacher, or may take much longer with a fantastic one, but at some point, if you study with them long enough, you're going to hit that wall. At that point, it's important that we be willing to change teachers. There's nothing wrong with having had 4 teachers (I'm on number 3 right now), so long as they are flexible enough not to try to indoctrinate you with their own ideas, but rather foster your own abilities and creativity. Be sure that you match well with any potential teachers, and if you find after studying with them for a while that they can't offer what you thought they could, move on. There's no reason to lock yourself into the idea of haeducation you can, whatever that may require.ving only one teacher...Just be sure you get the best musical

BTW, I agree with the fact that there is nothing wrong with having 4 teachers. There is also nothing wrong with having one teacher as long as it serves your best interests. Sometimes, a student can grow weary of one teacher or they can be in a situation where they ahve learned about all they can from that teacher. At that point a fresh teacher may be best. Sometimes one teacher may be good at a concept or technique that another isn't good at teaching. Then it is good to have two.

Where I feel that it can be bad to change teachers is when a student changes teachers because they don't want to do the work. Example: This teacher doesn't let me do what I want to do...I want to play my band music and this teacher wants me to learn those gawdawful scales...yucck...that's not fun... or something similar.