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Dirty-South Blues Harp forum: wail on! >
Questions for Teachers
Questions for Teachers
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The7thDave
85 posts
May 18, 2010
11:04 AM
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This has probably been done before, but things change--so I don't think it hurts to go over this information every so often.
These are a few questions for those of you on this forum who actively teach harmonica playing, one-on-one, for money:
1. How long have you been teaching?
2. Are you currently taking on new students?
3. Do you do lessons via Skype, website (etc.), or only in person? If the latter, what's your locale?
4. Do you specialize in teaching a particular style or method of harp playing?
5. Are there any techniques, methods, or theoretical aspects of harp playing that you do NOT teach?
6. What are your conditions for new students? Interviews, auditions, contracts, minimum number of lessons, etc.?
Note: I'm not looking for referrals to schools or websites run by others, I'm interested in hearing directly from the teachers on this forum.
Thanks a bunch,
Dave
Last Edited by on May 18, 2010 11:43 AM
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Diggsblues
316 posts
May 18, 2010
1:30 PM
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1 Twenty years or so I've lost count now.
2 Yes I am accepting new students.
3 Not skype yet. Only in person now.
4 More generic for chromatic and diatonic unless
somebody wants to go in particular direction.
Lesson are made for each student were they're at
musically and artisticlly.
West Philly down the street from were Will Smith lived.
5 Not big on the tongue slap thing.
6 Open ended. Lessons by appointment. No canellations
the day of the lesson. You owe the lesson fee.
This a matter of respect for the teacher.
I refer students to my myspace page so they
can see if they like my playing and decide if
I'm the real deal for what they want to do
on the Harmonica.
www.myspace.com/diggsblues
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Nastyolddog
752 posts
May 18, 2010
6:34 PM
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Questions for Teachers?
There are plenty of students in MBH Land why don't you ask what the student wants from a teacher?
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ElkRiverHarmonicas
428 posts
May 18, 2010
7:34 PM
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1. How long have you been teaching? About 7 years.
2. Are you currently taking on new students? Yes.
3. Do you do lessons via Skype, website (etc.), or only in person? If the latter, what's your locale? In person, also phone. Would probably have more if I were on Skype. Note to self: Get Skype.
4. Do you specialize in teaching a particular style or method of harp playing? Whatever the student wants to play.
5. Are there any techniques, methods, or theoretical aspects of harp playing that you do NOT teach?
Bass harmonica. I can teach 48 chord, chromatic and diatonic. Most students have been diatonic.
6. What are your conditions for new students? Interviews, auditions, contracts, minimum number of lessons, etc.? They need to practice. It's really frustrating when they don't. Otherwise, if they just want one lesson, fine. I've had some drop it for months and come back later, life happens.
Last Edited by on May 18, 2010 7:36 PM
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Ryan
278 posts
May 18, 2010
7:34 PM
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NOD:"Questions for Teachers?
There are plenty of students in MBH Land why don't you ask what the student wants from a teacher?"
Because that's not what he wanted to know.
That's like someone starting a topic asking: "who are some well known European harmonica players?"
And someone responds saying: "European harmonica players? Why aren't you asking about well known Australian harmonica players instead?"
If that's what you're interested in then start your own thread.
Last Edited by on May 18, 2010 7:38 PM
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GermanHarpist
1459 posts
May 18, 2010
10:52 PM
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There are very little harmonica players in my town. So I just gave the local music store my number... In germany there's the saying: among the blind the one-eyed is king... ;)
1. How long have you been teaching? half a year.
To this point I had three students. But at the moment only my first student a 70 yo man is left. But, besides these paying 'gigs' I had a couple of friends that I gave lessons and a couple of introductory lessons on the train (mostly to kids).
I also did a little promo for the music store once.. (trying to lure some guitarists into buying a harp) and I'm planning to do it this year again. Maybe including some workshops.
It's also planned that I show the kid that is emplayed at the shop a little about harmonica - you know difference between diatonic and chromatic, etc.
2. Are you currently taking on new students? yes.
3. Do you do lessons via Skype, website (etc.), or only in person? If the latter, what's your locale? I don't mind skype for harp lessons, but when it comes to theory, I'd better like to sit right besides the student.
4. Do you specialize in teaching a particular style or method of harp playing? whatever the student wants, however I tell them what I'm good at... but it's up to them.
5. Are there any techniques, methods, or theoretical aspects of harp playing that you do NOT teach? no.
6. What are your conditions for new students? Interviews, auditions, contracts, minimum number of lessons, etc.? until now - none. but I agree with elkriver, a student should really study. and diggsblues thing about respect.. I'll take that too :)
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YT
Last Edited by on May 18, 2010 11:02 PM
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Nastyolddog
753 posts
May 19, 2010
1:33 AM
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Ryan Ok I'm out of line Bro sorry:)
I meen Why would a Teacher want to know
what his targeted market wants from his services?
Good Business men know the market,they know what there
clients wants, there needs and ambitions:)
So im going to sell some cars i don't know the current market climate, or what buyers today want in a car, or who to aim my Product at,
How long will i be in business, not long
know your Product:)
Australia was Discoverd, settled and is still under the govern of a European Nation,
as much as i hate it we still Bow to the Queen of England:)
Yes i'm a republican:)
Last Edited by on May 19, 2010 2:06 AM
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boris_plotnikov
108 posts
May 19, 2010
3:37 AM
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1. Around 6 years. First time I sucks. Now my students are progress relatively stabile.
2. Yes.
3. In person or via Skype
4. I try to give some universal music and harmonica knowledge, tone producing, melodies, no particular style. I teach particular style (e.g. blues, jazz, irish) only if student asks.
5. I teach only diatonic. I can play and teach chromatic but I don't ever have chromatic students, don't know why. No bass, chord, tremolo harps, etc. I prefer to avoid teaching music theory by myself from the beginning. It takes time, but I'n not great theory teacher, basic theory seems too easy for me to explain it. I recommend my students to read books or to take theorethical lessons. I teach all possible diatonic and chromatic harmonica techique: lip pursing, tongue blocking, drones, overblow, overdraw, multiple position playing, customizing, improvisation (Aebersold method).
6. No special conditions for students which pay me. I can only recommend them the way of practicing.
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http://myspace.com/harmonicaboris
Last Edited by on May 19, 2010 4:28 AM
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captainbliss
100 posts
May 19, 2010
4:11 AM
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/1. How long have you been teaching?/
A couple of years.
/2. Are you currently taking on new students?/
Yes.
/3. Do you do lessons via Skype, website (etc.), or only in person? If the latter, what's your locale?/
In person. In and around London (UK).
/4. Do you specialize in teaching a particular style or method of harp playing?/
I play acoustic country / blues (mostly 2nd position) and sometimes perform solo, so I'm big on rhythm playing and "band in a box" style harmonica.
I also care enormously about the harmonica as an accompanying instrument.
I LP and TB (tend to do the latter much more, but happy to work with students who favour either) and I can overblow / overdraw but I don't use these much (happy to show students how to do them).
I really enjoy working on confidence, musicianship, showmanship, being a good band member, playing to people (rather than at them), repertoire, making a musically meaningful contribution to the conversation of mankind.
And...
I can show students basic, rough and ready harmonica maintenance / setting-up.
/5. Are there any techniques, methods, or theoretical aspects of harp playing that you do NOT teach?/
I only play diatonic and I'm illiterate (I can't read music).
/6. What are your conditions for new students? Interviews, auditions, contracts, minimum number of lessons, etc.?/
(a) I think I might be the right teacher for them (if not, I'll refer them on to tutors who I think might be able to offer what I can't),
(b) They pay me!
(EDIT: unless, of course, I'm teaching in my spare time...)
xxx
Last Edited by on May 19, 2010 9:18 AM
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The7thDave
87 posts
May 19, 2010
8:30 AM
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Diggs, Elk, GH, Boris, Captain--thanks for responding. I hope some other teachers will respond as well.
Nasty--I'm not a teacher, I'm a n00b. I've only been playing for a little over a year. I'm interested in linking up with a good one-on-one teacher, and I don't think I'm alone in that amongst the users of this forum.
A few words on Skype: it's a freeware VOIP application that offers free text, voice, and video conferencing between Skype users anywhere in the world. Seems like an ideal way to give lessons remotely. You can also use it to call telephone numbers, but you have to pay for that feature. In my experience, the sound quality of a Skype voice chat is far superior to that of a telephone call. I haven't used the video conferencing feature yet, so I can't report on the video quality.
Last Edited by on May 19, 2010 9:19 AM
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waltertore
574 posts
May 19, 2010
9:16 AM
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1. How long have you been teaching?
about 30 years
2. Are you currently taking on new students?
yes
3. Do you do lessons via Skype, website (etc.), or only in person? If the latter, what's your locale?
only in person so far. Columbus Ohio area
4. Do you specialize in teaching a particular style or method of harp playing?
I teach in the method I learned from guys like sonny terry, junior wells, louisiana red, lightning hopkins. This method is a tried and true handed down in the flesh method of learning.
5. Are there any techniques, methods, or theoretical aspects of harp playing that you do NOT teach?
I just play me- not amplified. I believe in using the hands, body, and nature for effects. Currently 99% of my playing is with a rack in a one man band context. One would have to hunt through my thousands of songs to hear examples of just me and the harp.
6. What are your conditions for new students? Interviews, auditions, contracts, minimum number of lessons, etc.?
If someone is interested in my playing and we get along, then I go from there. Like I said earlier, I learned from the old blues greats. They never talked of contracts, lessons per se. They just took you in and you absorbed their energy. I don't teach for the money, thus there is no "everyone is welcome" mat on my door.
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walter tore's spontobeat - a real one man band and over 1 million spontaneously created songs and growing. I record about 300 full length cds a year.
" No one can control anyone, but anyone can let someone control them"
2,000 of my songs
continuous streaming - 200 most current songs
my videos
Last Edited by on May 19, 2010 9:51 AM
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LeeEdwards
61 posts
May 19, 2010
12:56 PM
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1. How long have you been teaching?
Full time for just over 5 years.
2. Are you currently taking on new students?
Yes. Although slots are limited. I currently have 4 time slots available during the week that need filling.
3. Do you do lessons via Skype, website (etc.), or only in person? If the latter, what's your locale?
In person in Cardiff, South Wales UK. Skype lessons available to students worldwide.
4. Do you specialize in teaching a particular style or method of harp playing?
Blues, funk, dixieland jazz, rock. Diatonic richter tuned only. Generally focus on developing a students ability to deconstruct and evaluate music in a logical manner to discover their own creative voice. This involves thinking of any musical instrument as merely a mechanical device which allows you to play notes. I teach how to operate said mechanical device (harp in this case) and universal music theory so that you know how to utilize the notes once you can get them out of the instrument.
5. Are there any techniques, methods, or theoretical aspects of harp playing that you do NOT teach?
Sonny Terry and beatboxing styles are not really my bag.
6. What are your conditions for new students? Interviews, auditions, contracts, minimum number of lessons, etc.?
The only conditions I have are that 48 hours notice is required if a student wishes to cancel a pre-booked lesson so I at least have a chance of filling the time slot. Payment is made at the conclusion of each lesson. I tend to ask for payment up front if a student develops a habit of cancelling at the last minute. Recordings of any lesson are for the students personal use and not for distribution in public venues including the internet.
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"You will never get every possible thing out of an instrument, but the instrument will get every possible thing out of you" - Ray Charles.
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GermanHarpist
1692 posts
Aug 14, 2010
8:40 AM
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bump.. because it's a cool thread.
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