oboeinsight

FOR THE UNIVERSITY STUDENT

Show up on time. I’m a stickler about this. If you know you can’t make it on time because of prior class we need to reschedule your lesson time! If you can’t make it because you like to sleep in, too bad; I like to sleep in too, but that’s not how life works! Please be courteous; if you can’t make a lesson let me know. Call me. If you don’t have my phone numbers please ask for them! If you have to miss a lesson I will attempt to reschedule, but I can’t guarantee that I will be able to each and every time. My preference, of course, is that you stick to the lesson time we have put on the calendar. Truth be told, the rule is: attend your lessons! I do have to give you a grade. Attendance matters. These quarters go by quickly, and if you miss 1/10 (for UCSC) or 1/9 (SCU) of the classes do the math … this is going to lower your grade.

I expect students to practice every day. If you are taking a one hour lesson it would not be unusual to need two hours of practice a day, if not more. Practicing isn’t playing through everything once or twice; practicing is breaking the pieces down, working piece by piece, bit by bit, putting it together! (Thank you Stephen Sondheim.) Remember the “dissection method”!

For the Music Major:
Reed making is also essential. Note: I do not make reeds for students! I am a performing musician, and I need all the reeds I make … and more! Please don’t think it’s my job to provide you with reeds. Just be glad I don’t take any that you make! If you aren’t making reeds when you begin at the University it will be expected that you will start doing so within the first year of school. This means that you will have to be ready to purchase reed making tools. This can be expensive. I’m hopeful that someday the school will be able to provide some of this equipment, but that isn’t the case now and reed making is not something to be ignored. So prepare for the expense.

For Everyone:
Good reeds are a requirement for all students; if you can’t make decent reeds yet, or aren’t a music major, be sure to have at least three good reeds on hand that you purchase from a reputable dealer.

I make the assumption that all students enter a university music department knowing all major scales, doing two octave scales whenever possible. I also expect students to know the chromatic scale. Minor scales and whole tone scales will be added if they aren’t already known. If you don’t know your major scales at the beginning of your first year, you will be expected to know them at the end of the first quarter.

I expect students to purchase music. It is simply not acceptable to play on illegal copies, and I refuse to make them. You’re going to need to build up your library anyway; now is a great time to get started! In some instances I will understand if you have to wait a while to obtain books I require, but I won’t wait forever. I can guarantee that whatever we use in class will be used for years to come. You can find links to music stores and all things double reed at this site. This link takes you to a page full of music suggestions. Try it!

I realize that a student’s schedule is demanding, but don’t let the verb we use to describe what we do allow you to minimize your time on the oboe; just because we play the instrument doesn’t mean we can save the oboe for last or even neglect it all together! I can tell if you haven’t worked. I will grade accordingly.

Grading a quarter or semester of lessons is somewhat subjective. I take into consideration your improvement, attendance (on time!) and preparation. If you miss lessons or come to lessons late you may assume you will not receive an A. If you come unprepared (and this includes reeds) you may assume that you may not receive and A. An A is earned; no one is entitled to an A automatically. If you are concerned about where you stand grade-wise feel free to ask me.

I cannot accept gifts from students. To some this may be difficult to understand, but please know that while I appreciate your gestures of kindness taking gifts could be viewed as a bribe by some. The best gift you can give me is to give your oboe playing all the attention it requires.

I expect all students to have email, and I expect you to read and respond to my messages. Please don’t ignore messages I send to you! I respond to email messages, and I usually respond with 24 hours (and most likely even sooner). I expect students to do the same while enrolled in class.

Finally, please tell me if you are struggling with something. Let me know if you are getting discouraged. I don’t always know what’s going on with each of you, and I hate to find out second hand, or after the fact, or even not at all that you are having a tough time. Music is challenging, but it is also rewarding and great fun!

Patty
Phone Number: 408.806.3313 (cell)
SCU email: pattyoboe [at] mac [dot] com
UCSC email: pmitchel [at] ucsc [dot] edu