Teacher not challenging me enough

[alpacinator1]

Right, I'm sure this is a common problem, but I'd like some advice.

I'm 14, I've been playing for about 8-9 years.

Anyways, I feel my teacher isn't challenging me enough.

Just yesterday, she gave me a Beethoven sonatina and a Clementi sonatina.

All she taught me was half of the firstmovement of the Beethoven, and she told me to practice it slowly and hands seperately.

Now, after one day, I can play the entire first movement, hands together, up to speed.

We didn't even start the Clementi one.

Now, if I attempt it, by the end of the week I'm sure I'll be able to play both sonatinas in their entirety up to speed.

But, if I do that, I'm afraid she'll get mad for going ahead.

I've tried telling her to challenge me more, but it's almost like she's actually saying

"Well, you did this level 6 piece pretty well, so let's challenge you with a level 5 piece"

And she keeps giving me Chinese 5-year-old pieces. (That's what I call level 5 sonatinas).

Sometimes I bring in music to learn, and it works out fine, but then she just gives me more easy pieces.

I'd like to be learning level 7 pieces, but she keeps giving me level 5 ones.

What should I do?

[Kassaa]

Why would she get angry for doing more? You might pick a more difficult piece and practice it at home and when you can play it, play it for your teacher. If she doesn't like it you might be better off with a different teacher.

[shortyshort]

Why would she get angry for doing more? You might pick a more difficult piece and practice it at home and when you can play it, play it for your teacher. If she doesn't like it you might be better off with a different teacher.

Agreed.

My daughters teacher is always happy if she has done more than asked, as am I.

[bonjing]

yeah right I really hate when my teacher is not challenging me. Find another teacher then. I won't waste time always playing the easy ones that i already know. If you're comfortable enough to play the tough pieces then go tell her. My teacher first played me the very easy ones and later when he saw me improving he let me play the tougher pieces.

[slobone]

If you're a good student, and you practice a lot, it seems to me you ought to be beyond the level of Beethoven and Clementi sonatinas after 8-9 years. Maybe your teacher just isn't used to teaching students at your level and is giving you pieces she's comfortable with?

[guendola]

There must be a reason why she didn't let you start the clementi sonatina yet. Playing a piece at the right tempo and without mistakes is just a prerequisite of music. The real work starts from that point. Are you sure your teacher didn't tell you what you are supposed to improve on the Beethoven?

Or course slowbone is right as well, the stuff you are playing is low level compared to how long you are playing. Now, the point is that we can't hear you playing, we don't know, how good you are. Maybe you should see another teacher and have one single lesson to find out how he would level you. Then you can decide if your current teacher is right or not to challenge you so little.

[tsagari]

Hi, I agree with slobone these Sonatinas are not for someone that plays for so long and the fact that you learn them so easily is normal. What else you play? You might think of changing the teacher unless she/he has some purpose in giving you such pieces.

[dan101]

As mentioned already, bring in more challenging pieces. If you are still being kept back after that, then ask why you are being given easier pieces. Hopefully, you'll get a satisfactory answer.

Ultimately, if you're not happy, you'll probably have to move on to a different instructor. Good luck.