Hi everyone,
I had already registered for this forum a few years ago but I have never written personally.
I am here to ask you for advice, and with the intention, if possible, of participating more actively in the life of the forum (essentially with questions because I don't have any answers!)
Briefly, I play a few instruments out of passion; the only one for which I am not self-taught is the piano.
I had enrolled in pre-academic composition courses at the Conservatory at the venerable age of 35.
Unfortunately, the experience has not been one of the most exciting; both individual and class lessons have been quite frustrating, perhaps because I didn't have prior preparation in harmony, while the other students (talented youngsters!) are all indeed very young and have just graduated from or are still attending music high schools.
Since I don't like struggling and feeling like the last wheel on the wagon, I was thinking of not enrolling again this year, but rather studying on my own... I know this might seem presumptuous (I myself think there is a real need for a teacher) but I don't know how else to do it, other than giving up everything.
Do you have any advice for me?
I still cannot correctly harmonize a given bass line, let alone a melody, and I notice a certain disappointment in the Teacher's eyes which, instead of motivating me, brings me down, and this makes me feel truly lost.
I have independently bought reference texts to try to fill my gaps, and I am reading them... I was thinking of asking the Teacher if he could support me with perhaps a monthly lesson, with more spread-out timing since I work, and to start from absolute zero.
Could any of you give me your opinion on my choice?
Leaving the conservatory is a pain and a great defeat for me, but I truly feel like I am not building anything, and what is certain is that I am not "writing" anything, nor do I play with joy anymore, feeling like a true failure.
If I were to post the exercises I do in the "Practical Harmony Exercises" section, could I ask for your help with corrections?
Would that be the right place?
I assure you I wouldn't produce much material...
Sorry for the vent, but I really don't know where to turn and I'm a bit down these days.
Thank you anyway for granting me this space
