Teacher problems

[nuty]

Hy!
I have a serius problem with my piano teacher. I was in summer school this year and professor told me that I have bad tehnic. He said that maybe I should change my piano teacher.

Let me tell you something about her (piano teacher). She 42 and is still a student. Actually is ok, but her way of teaching is very bad. I don`t know nothing about tehnic!!!

So I need help. I would be happy to hear anykind of advice or suggestion.

P.S.: I`ve allready decided to change my teacher.
P.S.2: My English isn`t perfect. I hope you understand me.

[abell88]

Your English is fine, so don't worry about it.

Could you give some more information about what you play (pieces), why the professor says your technique is bad, what is wrong with the way your teacher teaches, etc. ? The more specific you are, the better people here can help you.

[jeremyjchilds]

I'm not sure what kind of help you need, you have already decided to change your teacher...

I would ask a lot of teachers who the best teacher in town is. Get on thier waiting list and then go for it!

[nuty]

At the moment I`m playing:
Schubert: Impromptu op.90, n.2
Grieg: Wedding day at Troldhaugen
Chopin: Fantasie Impromptu
Chopin: Polonez op.26, n.1
Chopin: Valse op.64, n.1
Rachmaninov: Humoresque op.10, n.5
Gershwin: 3 Preludes
Tchaykovski: The Seasons

I`m having problems specially at Chopin`s Fantasie Impromptu or Schubert`s Impromptu. I can`t play it fast enough because I get pain in my forearms. I`m trying to be relaxed but it doesn`t work. Usually I stop in the middle of composition and rest and then continue.

[arensky]

Who do the good pianists in your city/town study with? I would go to one of those teachers, your repetoire is good; just don't let anyone tell you they are the be-all and end-all of teaching; there's always more that one way to accomplish something,you need to find the way that works best for you. In the end we have to rely on and trust ourselves, once we have the equipment and know-how to use it.

[arensky]

At the moment I`m playing:
I`m having problems specially at Chopin`s Fantasie Impromptu or Schubert`s Impromptu. I can`t play it fast enough because I get pain in my forearms. I`m trying to be relaxed but it doesn`t work. Usually I stop in the middle of composition and rest and then continue.

AAAHHHH!!! You are headed right for tendonitis or carpal tunnel syndrome! You have to get with a good teacher who will help you through this or else you will end up with permanent damage!

[nuty]

Well, I know many teachers (actually all) in my town. This is a small town where everybody knows everybody. So I rather look for a teacher somewhere else. My friend  (he is at the moment the best pianist in the country in category 14-15 years) was allso starting at my teacher, but after 2years he changed her for an older teacher who had more experience. I`m going to ask her if she is willing to teach me. There is allso a big possibility that she refuses me but she can allso sugests someone else. Oh... and she was allso the one who said that I have bad tehnique and that I should get another teacher.

And you know what do I worry the most? How to tell my old teacher that I won`t be her student any more. And there is a bigger problem-how to explain her why. We`ve been together for 7 years and we are allmost friends so it`s really hard for me to do it. I know that she is still hurt because of my friend (The one he`s now at the other teacher and is the best in country in category....) and I`m afraid that she couldn`t stand if I leave to.
Please help!!!

[arensky]

Hi Nuty,

 It's too bad about your current teacher, but it's obviously not working for you. If you end up with the teacher your friend did, you'll be in good company. Your current teacher should not be upset, she's obviously missing the point in some aspect of her teaching particularly if you have arm pain! She still taaught your friend and that is a distinction that no one can take away from her! You have to move along now....

7 years is a long time; just tell her that it's time for a change(which it is). You know after 4 years you've heard eerything a teacher has to say IMHO; if staying with them longer than that can advance you career (politics) then it's OK to stay. And you have the beginings of carpal tunnel syndrome or tendonitis; YOU NEED HELP! I'm sure you will find another teacher, probably your friends teacher. Maybe she was trying to recruit you this summer, did you ever think of that?  Your current (soon to be old teacher) will get over this and move on to the next student. She may miss you But it's not working for you anymore. I'm a teacher, it's hard to see students move on, but it's going to happen evantually. My best student is 17 and one of the best in our state, but he's learned everythiing from me he's going to. I tried to send him to another teacher, but he won't go; I'll teach him for another year, then he has to leave the nest! I will miss him, but it's time for him to hear it all from someone else. Good luck, this too shall pass away!