Should/Should not find a teacher?

[oscarr111111]

I've been playing piano just for fun as a secondary instrument for a while now, recently I've had more free time and have been playing a lot, I can see my playing abilities improving a lot, apart from a few introductory lessons a decent while ago I'm entirely self taught.  I've by no means learned formally, I started off practicing scales and various technical exercises along with some pieces from a 'beginner' piano book, after that I got more into improvising and jamming and played piano just as a change really so I mainly just practiced scales and chords in just the keys I was likely to play in (and of course the actual playing that I was practicing for) for quite a long while, recently I've started learning various pieces and songs that take my fancy and have been spending quite a bit of time doing this.

I was thinking of getting a teacher over the summer but thinking about it, I can't see any reason that I'd need one, I've learned my primary instrument to a near-professional level and have learned a lot about learning, 'safe technique' and practice philosophy in the process, I'm happy with my piano progress and I've no idea if my technique is correct or not but its working well for me, I think if I got a teacher the progress could get hung up on 'correcting' technique which is by all means healthy, just possibly not conventional. 

The point of this thread is really that I have a biased/under informed view of the subject, can you give me some reasons I could use a teacher, how it'd benefit my playing in ways I can't do myself etc. to help me make an informed choice.

Cheers,
Oscar.

[rc]

Hello Oscar,

Last week I had my first lesson with a new teacher and she pointed out a lot of things to improve.  I've always been careful to listen to my body, so it's not like I'm stiff and hurtin' by the time I get up from the bench, but it turns out there were little bad habits that crept in anyways...  For example, as I'm playing a phrase she'll stop me and mention that I don't need to have my thumb sticking out, so I try that and it feels better with the thumb in.

Even though I'm able to play with my current habits, I'm thinking that little things like these add up and will help me control the music better, also probably will broaden the upper limits of what I'm able to achieve.

Besides physical things, she also has a better conception of the music than I do, much more clear in the details and her ear catches things that I had just brushed over.  Of coruse, I didn't realize I'd missed them (then I wouldn't have missed them!).

Another benefit is the boost in motivation.  I have respect for her as a musician and a person, and she's already been very generous in helping me, so I also have the added motivation of wanting to work harder to live up to her standards.  She's not wasting my time and I don't want to waste hers!

Now, when I put myself in your shoes, the main arguement for getting a teacher is simply that you're more likely to regret not giving it a shot.  Even if it doesn't work out for you, it would be easy to go back to your own way of doing things.  To my way of thinking, there's only one way to be sure.

In searching, it's important to find a good match too.  I'd already been to some masterclasses held by my new teacher and seen her perform, so I got a sample of her approach, it seemed to me that she had a lot of experience in dealing with intermediate students, she's easy to get along with and speaks clearly.  It wasn't a random decision.

[nyonyo]

It really depends on what piano playing means to your life. If playing piano well is not important to you, I do not see any reason to spend money to correct your playing (assuming there are problems with your playing).

I personally like to be able to play difficult pieces. It will virtually impossible for me without guidance from a VERY professional piano teacher to learn high level pieces. I can read and practice by myself but it will take forever to learn, and at the end I, most likely, will learn the pieces incorrectly.

Again, what you want is the key to determine whether you want to spend the money or not.

[scarletpianist]

I think a good teacher would really help you. However, like nyonyo said, if piano isn't that important to you, then don't find a teacher. But, I think you're pretty confident with yourself.

[enderw20]

Just one lesson can improve your playing a significant amount, I suggest try it once, the worst thats going to happen is that you'll be out about 50 bucks.

[fenz]

If you want to learn piano seriously, I think it's better for you to find a teacher, because he/she will help you to play in the right way (technique, etc). But it's depend on you.

[tobias777]

Go to a teacher when you know there is a problem, or there is some specific technique you want to learn.

What you don't want to do is pay some old dude heaps of cash to sit around and watch you practice. You can do that alone. The guy isn't going to be able to teach you to play a piece any better then the sheet music will.

At least, that's my experience with professional music lessons of all kinds.

[nyonyo]

Go to a teacher when you know there is a problem, or there is some specific technique you want to learn.

I *HAD* the same thought like yours. Why I should pay a piano teacher if we can practice ourselves. I can read and play most of piano pieces, except something way too complicated.
My problem is that eventhough I can play whatever written on the music, but I cannot tell whether my interpretation is correct or not. More importantly, a good teacher is usually able to improve our playing, even on simple things. I am always amazed by my teacher.

If you pay expensive teacher, they are usually able to do this. Again some inexpensive teachers can do the same.....but rarely.

[Karli]

In my experience, teachers can help you learn things that you did not necessarily know you needed/wanted to learn -- especially if you have never had a teacher before.  They may expand your horizons, which means that you may think everything is going just fine now on your own, but you may find that you would not wish to live without something a teacher may have to offer you (and you don't know just what that is until you get with the teacher). 

If I had it to do all over again, I would ask what their thoughts on exiting/graduating from the studio are before I even got started with them .