You just bought your first instrument and are anxiously wondering where to start learning. Each day, you stare at the case and dream of playing virtuosic solos, but you are engulfed by feelings of confusion and despair, unable to sift through the vast array of work that lies ahead. You feebly hope that lessons may answer your troubles but remain wary of the financial cost.
As stated on the Music Department section of the Drew University website, Drew University offers private music lessons for voice and instruments, which are organized into different departments; in terms of instruments, instruction is offered for brass, percussion, guitar, strings, keyboard and woodwinds. Students may register either for a course that requires no musical background or seek placement in one intended for those with some level of experience by virtue of a musical performance. Private lessons can be either 30 to 45 minutes long, cost either $600 or $900 per semester and are given on a weekly basis.
I am currently taking the Music 112 course, and a question I often receive from other musicians—particularly the aforementioned beginners—is whether I recommend it. While being self-taught is a commendable endeavor, it has its shortcomings: beginners are often directionless and have little idea of what to practice, focusing on learning individual songs while neglecting technique and theory.
With the bass guitar, for example, it is important to ingrain certain right- and left-hand techniques, such as the one-two-four fingering system and raking, to aid you in playing efficiently; novices are often unaware of these principles and therefore do not incorporate them.
Music theory is also an important concept to grasp to be able to improvise and create music, but it is home to an extremely vast ocean of knowledge that is difficult to navigate without proper guidance. Without this foundational knowledge gained in lessons, many beginners end up severely limited in their technical and musical abilities.
When weighing the costs versus the benefits of private instruction, however, it must be questioned how much teachers assist in alleviating this issue. While having a teacher may compel you to take greater care in completing the work you are assigned, such a relationship cannot alter your innate sense of motivation. Your desire to learn can only come from yourself. Nonetheless, teachers provide invaluable advice in helping beginners figure out precisely what to practice and can assist in breaking down complex musical ideas into manageable parts to avoid inundating them with too much information.
Personally, having taken bass guitar lessons at various locations for the past two years, I find the student-teacher dynamic incredibly beneficial; not only does it keep you focused and driven, but it offers you insight into the musical perspectives and experiences of someone much wiser. My teacher, for example, encouraged me to explore jazz music, introducing me to guitar virtuosos like Wes Montgomery, Pat Metheny and Joe Pass, revealing an entire world of music that I otherwise would have neglected. The exposure to new music by a professional instructor is something unique that cannot be replicated by modern music streaming services, which merely base their suggestions off your existing preferences rather than exposing you to new perspectives.
Ultimately, while the prospect of music lessons may depend on your personal finances, their worth is undeniable. Self-teaching, although feasible for some, does not afford you the wealth of knowledge that a great teacher can provide. When a simple passion is suitably nurtured, it can grow into something much greater; it might, for example, transform a 13-year-old kid looking to learn a small repertoire of songs into a professional musician. Accordingly, for anyone debating seeking private instruction, so long as it is agreeable to your monetary situation, I would recommend it in a heartbeat.
Michael Donnelly is a first-year double-majoring in history and English.
