Katie Brown Clarinet Studio

What are Private Clarinet Lessons?

Private lessons are an opportunity to receive individualized, one-on-one instruction from an experienced professional musician. Lessons are tailored to your (or your child's) individual needs and goals.

Consultation Lesson

The first lesson is a "consultation" lesson. The pay rate is the same as for any other lesson, but there is absolutely no obligation to continue studying after the first lesson. I do not even ask "So, when do you want to meet again?" I let you go home and decide for yourself, and contact me if and when you are ready to make arrangements for subsequent lessons.

The purpose of the consultation lesson is to determine:

1.) where you are at in your musical development
2.) where you want to go
3.) how we are going to get you there

The first lesson is about assessing your strengths and weaknesses, setting goals, and devising a plan. If you are a beginner, you will learn how to put the clarinet together and make your first sounds. We will also discuss any materials that you need to purchase such as equipment (reeds, cork greese, a swab, etc. which are hopefully included with your instrument already) and music to practice. For more experienced students, I ask that you bring something to your first lesson to play for me so that I can better assess your needs, such an All-District Band solo, an etude, repertoire, or music from your school or community band. After you play for me, I will pinpoint a few things that could be better and we will work on improving them together. Then, I will offer some additional ways to practice on your own at home so that you can continue to build on the progress we made in your lesson.

Subsequent Lessons

After the consultation lesson, we will continue to work in much the same way but with less discussion. After each lesson we will set practice goals, discussing both what to practice, how to practice, and why you are practicing it in the first place. In the following lesson, I will hear your "assignments" and we will discuss anything that needs clarification or further explanation. Then, we will plan for the next week and so on.

Are Private Lessons for Me?

There are many types of students, studyng for different reasons:

Beginner: A beginner student, has no idea if they are going to "stick with it," and that is OK. I am more than happy to help a student explore music for the first time!

The "Serious" Student: Some students are very serious in their musical pursuits and dream of being in All-State Band, majoring in music in college, and/ or playing professionally one day. I know better than anyone what it takes to "make it" as a professional musician and I am more than qualified to help this type of student reach their goals. As a graduate assistant at the Univeristy of South Carolina, this is what I spend a good portion of my day doing--- training college music majors to teach and perform for a living.

The "Struggling" Student: Some students have been playing in a school band for a year or so but find that they are struggling a bit more than their peers. In this situation, private lessons are an opportunity to receive tutoring to "catch up."

The Amateur: Some students take music lessons simply as a way to enrich their lives, as a hobby. I love working with this type of student equally as much, and these students come in a variety of ages and levels of experience from teens to young adults to seniors. There are many opportunities to play for fun in churches, community groups, and your own chamber ensembles. If you are older and you want to play for the first time--- or play again after many, many years--- private lessons are a wonderful way to get started (or re-started!).

So yes... private lessons are for you!

You Reap What You Sew...

The amount of time you devote to practicing depends on your own goals and aspirations. I generally will not drop a student for not practicing. However, realize that you only get out of it what you put into it. If you don't practice between lessons, you are basically throwing away your money.

Tuition Plans:

Scheduled as Needed (uncontracted)- Lessons are offered "as needed" at the rate listed on my website.

Scheduled by Semester (contracted)- Semester Lessons are offered at a 5% discount when a Fall (August-December), Spring (January-May), or Summer (Jun-July) contract is signed. Tuition for contracted lessons is paid in monthly installments at the beginning of each month. There will weeks off due to holidays or pre-scheduled dates out of town, which will be discussed before the contract is made.

Absence Policy (contracted lessons only):

If I ever have to miss a lesson due to illness or emergency (which is rare), the lesson will either be refunded or rescheduled, your choice.

If you need to cancel a lesson, and I am notified of cancellation at least 24 hrs. prior to the lesson, that lesson may be rescheduled (but not refunded).

Absence Policy (uncontracted lessons):

If you are studying on an "as needed" basis and you notify me of cancellation at least 24 hrs. prior to the originally scheduled lesson, the lesson may be rescheduled. However, if 24 hrs. notice is not given, subsequent lessons may not be scheduled until full payment is received for the missed lesson.