Teachers teached?

[stormx]

I have a question for you teachers 

Besides your teaching activity, do you still take piano lessons? (from a highly accomplished pianist, of course)

Or, on the contrary, do you think you have reached a high expertise level from where you should only improve by yourself?

[m1469]

I had been taking lessons for a few years (during which time I have been teaching), but as of recently, I am not anymore.  I am just figuring out my next step(s) I guess. 

I am open to studying very seriously with another teacher at some point, whatever form that takes.  But, I have been realizing that each person's path to their own expertise is of course, highly individual.  Nobody has been on anybody else's exact path before so nobody can lay out all of the footwork for another.  To a large degree, it is very much up to the individual at a certain point to continue on. 

I will not claim to have reached any particular level, that matters surprisingly little to me at the moment.  What matters to me most is that I stay inspired, focused, and true to my highest sense of self.  I am fully invested in my own desire to learn and grow and that will undoubtedly include a large array of other individuals and events.


m1469

[lagin]

I plan to continue to take lessons while I teach until I get my diplomas in performance and teaching.  After that, I do not know.  I might perform with another pianist around town doing various advanced duets.  That other pianist is my current teacher though, so I guess I'd still be being taught then.  I might learn the violin when I'm done, too.  I don't know yet, but for the next few years I'm still being taught regularly.

[m1469]

Actually, I have A LOT of teachers still, it's just that most of them don't know that I am their student... he he.

m1469 

[jeremyjchilds]

I am taking oficial lessongs from the best teacher in town, not the best performer in town.

I am learning so much from the way she deals with me, that I can apply to my students. I would recommend from all teacher to find a teacher who excells in the area of thier greatest weakness.

[Astyron]

I have asked performers/teachers who are much more proficient than me on various instruments to give me a few lessons and they all seem a bit uncomfortable teaching a peer.  In all cases these are people I know and perform with.  Perhaps I ought to ask someone I don't know.  However, the idea of working with someone whom I respect as a musicians, and already have good repoire with as a peer appeals to me.

[timothy42b]

It is hard for me to imagine that anyone could stay fresh and enthusiastic without either taking lessons or performing.  Preferably both. 

I guess in some fields you master your craft in school and then just perform it until you retire.  I'm an engineer, and continuing professional education is just understood to be part of what we do.  Actually if you are licensed it may be a legal requirement.  We take courses, go to seminars, subscribe to technical journals, etc.  Teaching piano is a profession as well, right? 

I don't know that it has to be a formal student teacher relationship, but there really should be some process by which you are increasing your skills. 

I think there is a risk of burning out that can be avoided if you are actively gigging or studying.  The music teachers I run into that are the most enthusiastic and successful are the ones I meet in a performance setting. 

[jeremyjchilds]

I think it is not good to take lessons from peers.

If you are a jazz guy, take lessons from the staunchiest classical person there is, then take lessons from a composer, then take lessons from a jazz player who specializes in bossa...if you specialize in blues...

[anda]

i don't officially have a teacher, or anything like that, but i do visit my former teacher as often as i can - and esp before recitals/concerts. i honestly believe i still have tons to learn from him, and due to the fact that i was his official student for some years, the situation is not occurate at all. and these lessons help me not just perfect the program for this or that recital, but on the long term, it helps me become a better teacher.

another kind of lessons: i'm not ashamed to admit i learned some things about teaching on this forum, so many thanks to all of you