By Paul Heingarten 

In the process of developing musical ability and talent, it is important to get feedback on a regular basis. Performing in bands is good as far as developing skills like playing with balance and intonation. Ultimately, having a one on one session with an instructor will certainly benefit your musicianship in the long run.

I took no private lessons when I originally started playing music in grade school. Fortunately, the band program was not very large at the time and the director was able to give me and the other students a little more one on one attention than normal. Once I started in high school it was suggested by my band director that I get some private lessons.

My private lessons teacher was very motivational and definitely gave me a shot in the arm for confidence. This teacher also played trumpet as a primary instrument and started me using the Arban book, a time-honored collection of rudimentary exercises…pretty much the “bible for trumpet players”. Over the initial months of lessons I recall the tone of my playing go from slightly timid and medium volume to confident and full sounding, simply by trying to match the tone of my teacher. You can find the Arban book here.

While I ended my private lessons when I neared graduating from high school, the foundation I received from them helped solidify me as a trumpet player. I highly recommend private lessons as a way of rounding out your musical development.

My wife currently takes private lessons for singing, as she regularly sings with a church choir and often sings a (solo) cantor part. Her private lessons include occasional recitals, which are attended by friends and family of the teacher’s students. While not a method used by every teacher, recitals can help a student face and get over their anxieties about performance. This is another way that private lessons can help in the confidence department.

Improving musical ability and talent is something everyone involved in performing music should aspire to. Private lessons are an important tool to use in that pursuit.

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private lessons
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This entry was posted on Wednesday, August 22nd, 2007 at 6:20 pm and is filed under Music Articles, Music Lessons. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.