I don’t know if this is a good thing to admit when trying to gain customers, but an alternative title for this page could be “What You DON’T Get in a Lesson.”

Why? Because the core of my philosophy about teaching and learning puts the responsibility of learning upon the student. I can’t deliver what only regular, focused private practice yields–LEARNED SKILL–the real ability to play the flute. This page describes the responsibilities of both parties in a teacher-student relationship.

Responsibilities of the Tutor

As your teacher my job is to introduce you to, and demonstrate new skills, facts, techniques, methods, etc.–generally pointing the way and encouraging you in the right direction. In a private lesson you might say part of what we do is test what you are retaining. But you won’t retain or “internalize” what you’re taught unless that special something happens in between lessons. Which brings me back to…

Responsibilities of the Fluter

You have two responsibilities, and both can be fun. First, the only way to actually learn to “play” any musical instrument is to play play play. The synonym for the word “play” in this instance is “practice”. Playing continuously is the only and surest way to internalize what you have been taught in lessons. A lesson is not a weekly practice session. Daily practice sessions are on your schedule and in your place of practice. Practice is the repetitive application and perfecting of what you have been taught.

Your second responsibility is to generally immerse yourself in music, especially by listening to, learning from, and imitating other musicians. And what could be more fun than that?

My Conditional Guarantee: FUN

It is interesting how we say that we “play” musical instruments like we play games and sports. The implication is that making music is fun. It is something human beings enjoy. But it is also interesting to note that repetitive regular play is synonymous with practice. Practice translates to “work” but results in play. So, my guarantee is that the more you work (that’s the “conditional” part of the guarantee), the more fun you will ultimately have as a skilled musician and the more fun we will have in lessons.