I teach my tormbone pupils to read treble, tenor and bass clefs.
I expect them to be comfortable in all three by the time they leave me at 16 years old.
Good for you! Both you and David Bailey point out the major difference in background: first, the students you cite are taking private lessons, which the vast majority of middle and high school instrumentalists do not. Second, and even more important, they are taking private lessons with teachers whose mindset is not, "good enough for band is good enough!" There's a big world out there, with a lot of different musical styles and notational conventions to learn to deal with, and yes, middle school students who care can learn anything you choose to teach them! (Including reading from hand manuscript, another point of resistance for some people!!)
But exceptions, no matter how individually brilliant and satisfactory, only emphasize the average. And the average, who only play in band and do not take lessons, will very seldom see the alternate clefs traditionally used by conservatory-trained players of their instruments.
John
-- John & Susie Howell Virginia Tech Department of Music Blacksburg, Virginia, U.S.A 24061-0240 Vox (540) 231-8411 Fax (540) 231-5034 (mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]) http://www.music.vt.edu/faculty/howell/howell.html _______________________________________________ Finale mailing list [email protected] http://lists.shsu.edu/mailman/listinfo/finale
