I finally managed to have another flute lesson today. It was so encouraging! I was half-convinced that my teacher would be horrified at my lack of progress, but she seemed genuinely impressed with what I had done, and we actually ran over by about 10 minutes just playing pieces and enjoying it! Phew! I wish one could get self-belief injections, it seems as if I need a regular dose to convince me I'm not terrible oh well! Hopefully come September my lessons will be rather more regular, but she thinks I'll be fine for grade 6 at Christmas and her main worry was that I would need to make sure I played lots of other stuff so my pieces aren't overprepared.

Why, oh why, did I leave it so long before getting proper lessons again?? *wry grin*

I'm high on flute lesson-ness. How'm I going to sleep??!

Sounds like you had a really good confidence boost. It's so encouraging when a teacher is pleased. If only we could bottle that feeling for later!

Wow, sounds like it was a great lesson and like you have a brill teacher!!!
And, wait a minute...*waves her wand and produces an alcohol-free confidence-boosting cocktail*-enjoy!
Regular lessons help loads, I know. I haven't had a lesson for 4 weeks now (due to summer holidays) and am really missing that reassuring boost that I haven't messed up my embouchure (yay, finally learnt how to spell it!) or done something else totally wrong in the meantime!

GO YOU! Grade 6 at Chrismas is really great!!!

Snug: yes, bottled confidence would be nice! It's the best incentive to practice, too - knowing that you're doing something right!

July: yep, kinda glad it isn't just me who feels like that sometimes... "what if I'm doing something really wrong? argh!"

*glugs the confidence cocktail* thanks

You're really brave just going along for lessons Sarah! Hopefully the confidence thing will develop more as time goes by, especially when you pass your Grade 6 (wow, you must be good!). Your teacher sounds very encouraging too, which is great.

Sounds brill! It's been so long since (not really just feels like ages) I've had a lesson but go on a course for a week a week tomorrow with David Nicholson so that should be really good cant wait! It'll be so exciting learning with him. But I really must put some practise in before then or I'm just going to look stupid!

It sounds like you're doing a great job Sarah, although it is so hard to believe that what people tell you about doing well is true!!

Carys: I am fortunate that it's the teacher who I had for a while in 6-2, so it's not TOOOOO scary! I have managed a whole six lessons this year I think go me! with three different teachers... I got a real confidence boost from my grade 4 last Autumn (136! I was SO pleased!) and so I hope that prep for grade 6 goes well too.

weejen: I'd love to go on a flute course, need to start saving though, can't afford anything at the moment (would probably help if I stopped buying music....)

Nicki: yes it is hard to believe - I actually was so afraid she'd be like "hmmmm!" so it was a huge relief when she was like yeah you'll be fine, you're doing great! she's definitely not one to pull punches, so if she said it I know she means it. and I didn't think I played as well as I'm capable of, so it was very confidence-boosting for her to say that was OK, it's given me a little reassurance that I must be going along the right lines, and extra incentive to get back to really practising thoroughly.

[quote=sarah-flute,Jul 24 2005, 01:16 AM]
Carys: I am fortunate that it's the teacher who I had for a while in 6-2, so it's not TOOOOO scary! I have managed a whole six lessons this year I think go me! with three different teachers... I got a real confidence boost from my grade 4 last Autumn (136! I was SO pleased!) and so I hope that prep for grade 6 goes well too.


You're doing great (you little night owl you!) - what does "6-2" mean?

lol - I keep waking up and coming alive at midnight, it's a bit annoying actually

a good teacher helps... a lot!

second year of 6th form... now year 13? (I think!) (showing my age??! )

LOL, no - it's me showing mine! Thanks.

phew!

Good news it's great you enjoyed the lesson aswell

yeah it was good