Performer and Educator Differences.

Most of you know who this is aimed at. Yet this certain someone cannot be confronted and cannot accept constructive critcism without getting pissed off. You may know everything in the world about performing (and I believe you do), but you have a LOT to learn about teaching. I don't claim to be an expert about teaching, because I am not, but I wish I could give you some ideas in a nice way (even though this may should bitchy/sarcastic/downright mean here) that you have a lot to learn without blowing up in my face. I'm not a confrontational person, but I'm 2 seconds away from scheduling a meeting with you to confront you because no one else has the balls to do it, and you need to know the truth about what we think about the way you teach. You're a great person and I love sitting and talking and hanging out, but stop being an arrogant bullheaded bastard and listen to what we have to say. Working as a team gets things done.

1. "Just do it" or "Just because" is not a correct answer to when I ask why. When I ask why, it's for my own personal knowledge so when a future student of mine asks why, i can tell them. I'm not questioning authority at all.

2. "Do it again...nope, do it again....nope, do it again, etc." is not an effective teaching method, it's just pounding the mouthpiece into the face. Tell us what we're doing wrong and *gasp* how to fix it.

3. Not everyone learns the same way. I'm a visual hands on learner, others are aural. Adapt to their learning style.

4. My low E is incredibly sharp, actually my whole low range is. I know this. When I ask you how to fix it, "drop your jaw, stick your chin out and blow warm slow air" is a b'duh answer, we all know that. And guess what? That's what I'm doing and its obviously not working, help me find another way to get the pitch down.

5. "Waste your air." If i hear that again, I will punch you in face. I understand that I have to blow through the horn, not at it, but right now, that causes HUGE note inaccuracies because my face isn't used to it, you know that, don't rip me apart for it on my jury sheet. This isn't an excuse, but I'll numb the left half of your stomach and see how well you can take in air. It's a totally different feeling.

6. Not everyone has the natural talent that you do. I wish that you had to work for it like most people. You're an amazing player and you're lucky it came naturally, but if you had to work for it then maybe you would know what it's like to have to work your ass off and know what its like to work hard and have someone rip you apart instead of encourage.

7. Yelling doesn't get respect. In order to get respect, you have to earn it, its a 2 way street buddy. Yell at a bunch of 7th graders and then be nice 2 seconds later, they'll walk all over you. Yell at a bunch of college students, they'll be pissed for years, especially when the yelling wasn't deserved. And they'll be two-faced right back at you.

8. Get the stick out of your ass. This is your first teaching gig. You still have a lot to learn pal. I know you have a Grammy, I know you played on the Star Trek and Lethal Weapon 4 soundtracks, I know you're principal horn of the Santa Barbara Symphony, and you are the younest person to win the American Horn Competition, but that doesn't make you an excellent teacher. Be open minded. Your way isn't always the right way because there are other ways to do things. Teachers often and are supposed to learn from their students. There are better horn players than you. I've met them. And from what I hear, they teach better.

9. Stop being bull headed and listen to what we say. We know a lot more that you think we do.

10. When half of the studio gets "Pass with Reservations" or a C in normal terms, it not only reflects bad on us as players, but you as a teacher as well. Especially when the rest of the faculty only gives out C's when the people truly deserve them. This isn't USC. 75% of the students here are education majors and don't aspire to play principle *insert instrument here* in the Chicago Symphony or New York Phil. I know that's not an excuse, to be average, but still.

11. Um, when 3 or 4 people are changing majors, and they aren't freshman, there's something wrong. And when 5 or 6 people in the studio are paying to take lessons elsewhere this summer when you are offering them for free, there is something wrong. You might wanna find out why this is happening. Oh yeah....its you.

12. I wish you knew how we felt. Not everything is fine and dandy, stop seeing this throught unwindy, sunny glasses. I wish you were willing to listen to our thoughts and opinions. One person tried, and you blew up. You're not going to become a better teacher by ignoring your students feelings. I hope you read the semester evaluations because I know at least 8 people (out of 13 or 14) that wrote pretty much the same damn thing.