looking for a piano teacher

[aerislanne]

I suppose I sound very desperate, but I need a new piano teacher. I've had 4 so far, my current one for about 4 or 5 years now. We don't get along so well, I feel that he has no respect for me,  and I never feel any positive vibes coming from him. I know my main purpose is to learn how to play the piano, but I don't see how I can learn too well in an enviroment like this...

In the past, my parents have always chosen the piano teachers for me, although they don't play any musical instruments themselves. Now that I'm older, they're giving me a lot of leeway in choosing a teacher,  but I'm not allowed to quit this teacher until I find a suitable replacement.

So since I've noticed that all of you are teachers,  can you give me some pointers on finding a teacher? I'm 15 years old,  almost 16 and I've been playing for 10 years. I don't have much time to practice being a high school student, but I try to play when I can. I recently started to learn and play my own pieces, a practice I should've started a long time ago (but didn't! for lack of confidence.) I have no idea what level I would be at; all I know is that I play at a fairly advanced level, I suppose. (My best estimate, according to one document, is between level 9 and 10 at an undergraduate level) I'm currently playing Chopin's Fantasie-Impromptu for my teacher; Beethoven's Appassionata Sonata and some Debussy pieces for fun. I live in Montgomery County Maryland, maybe some of you could recommend some teachers you know? I tried to contact the local piano teacher's chapter... forgot what it's called... but I haven't gotten any response yet. Through my 10 years of playing, I've gotten very little theory training, everything I know about theory is intuitive and what I can pick up. Honestly, I hate theory and despise finger drills,  though I do have more than enough experience with THOSE, I think.

Any and all responses would be appreciated! Thanks!

[cutewendy]

Hello,
I know exactly how you feel. I changed 3 teachers in the past year. I had a really bad teacher who didn't help me as a performer at all. I did horribly at my district competition. After different recommendations, I founda good teacher. I improved greatly, and she recommended me to my current teacher. ANYWAY, after my little story, I sugges you go to your state music teacher association to look for teachers. I live in Missoure, and we have MMTA (Missouri Music Teacher Association). The member of theis association are all really decent teachers. If you can find something like that in your state, it mind help you. Good luck!

-Wendy

[MzrtMusic]

Some of my students told me that they found my name online. There are sites where teachers can post their names, and students can search. They are quite helpful... I forget the addresses for them right now, but if I find any, I will post the URL

Love,

Sarah

[aiepiano]

I guess the site that MzrtMusic said could be www.musicstaff.com, but it doesn't help that much. There are only a few list of teacher.

Aerislanne, your profile are similar to me. I'm aslo thinking about what I'm going to do with my piano lesson becasue I am an international student going to Maryland. I have to decide to find take good piano lesson or quit playing.

Nice knowing you,
AIE

[aerislanne]

Umm... well, aiepiano, I don't know where you're from, but if you can speak Chinese, you might want to see my teacher. He's an excellent pianist, and one of the better teachers that I have had. And he's a Marylander. I'm on better terms now with my teacher, he got married recently and has become much more better-tempered .(odd, isn't it?) Keep posting if you're interested