How to find a decent teacher

[catherineb]

Hi - I am looking for a piano teacher in the Chicago area. I read the thread over in the teacher's forum but it is intended towards students who are much more serious than me. Like a lot of people, I played piano as a kid for a few years and got to an intermediate level. I have played classical guitar for a few years and keep coming back to piano for a lot of reasons. I really want a teacher who can guide me - but I work and am in school and the amount of time that I have for piano is very limited. I mostly want someone from whom I can take an occasional lesson to make sure that my technique is not going in the wrong direction. Anyone know any teachers or places to look? Thanks!

[faulty_damper]

You meant to title your post: "How to find an excellent teacher"!

Do you occasionally go to a language teacher for lessons to check to see if your ability to speak is going in the wrong direction?  I know I certainly do because I don't want my E's to go in the wrong direction and sound like I's.    Technique is the same way.

Excellent teachers are usually the ones with excellent students and I'm not referring to how well they play.  I'm referring to the students ability to listen, understand, and follow the teachers instructions.  That means the students practice their assignments on a regular basis, shows up on time for lessons, etc.  These behaviors result in excellent playing.

So if you are only looking for a decent teacher...

[puddy]

You meant to title your post: "How to find an excellent teacher"!

Do you occasionally go to a language teacher for lessons to check to see if your ability to speak is going in the wrong direction?  I know I certainly do because I don't want my E's to go in the wrong direction and sound like I's.    Technique is the same way.

Excellent teachers are usually the ones with excellent students and I'm not referring to how well they play.  I'm referring to the students ability to listen, understand, and follow the teachers instructions.  That means the students practice their assignments on a regular basis, shows up on time for lessons, etc.  These behaviors result in excellent playing.

So if you are only looking for a decent teacher...

I quite agree. Results are a two way thing.

[alzado]

I am not sure my way of finding a teacher was very good.

Here's how it worked.  My longtime teacher became unavailable due to failing health.  I went about 6 weeks without lessons, and finally called the music store, explaining I needed another teacher.

The woman at the store put my name and phone number on a 3X5 card and stuck it on the teachers' bulletin board with a thumbtack.

The first teacher passing the board who had room for one more student could take down the card and call me up.

That's what happened.  I like my new teacher, although in terms of her abilities and interests, I believe she is more a performer who does some teaching.  Even so, we seem to be hitting it off.

My method of finding a teacher turned out a bit like Russian Roulette.