Is It Worth It?

[pytis123]

Ok im thinking about getting piano lessons since im not realy getting progress now... I can play Fur Elise, Arabesque,La Canduer,and Canon in D but. If my parent see progress I think they would be willing to pay for a: "1 hour private lesson $154 ($38.50/lesson" But is it realy worth it? do people realy see that mutch progress to be willing to pay that mutch? I would ask my sister to teach me sisce she studied for 12+ years and played for 15+ and is still going but shes realy busy. One lesson was a major inprovement from her since i learned correct fingering... But is it worth it or should i  get like publick lessons somewhere? I live in LA if anyone knows any good teachers pls tell!

[kelly_kelly]

I think that you should get lessons. Although you may be able to make more progress yourself, I think you would benefit from a teacher. Also, that's pretty cheap for an hour long lesson; my teacher charges $35 for 30 min.

[jeremyjchilds]

Get a teacher...

A good teacher will take your idea of what good playing is, and expand your horizons to include things that you never thought were possible. (Or never thought of...)

That's not just rhetoric...it's really the truth

[celticqt]

Yes, they are right.  If you want to progress musically, get a teacher.  I started with a teacher again last year after taking a few years off and I am amazed at the progress I've made.  And yes, that is cheap for lessons! Good luck!

[pytis123]

My sister agreed to teach me!!! is that ok? she played for +17 years and was in shcool basicly based around piano for 12 years... would she be ok or do you still recomend getting a teacher?

[alzado]

Frankly, the amount of money you are considering is ridiculous.

I get a half-hour lesson each week for $10.00 per lesson.  These are GOOD lessons.

My teacher has a Master's from Oberlin College and has taught for many years. 

She is a bit old at this point -- perhaps her mid 70's -- and is semi-retired, I believe.

But if you shop around, you should be able to get a good teacher at much less than the absurd overpayment you are considering.

I really wish you luck.

[xvimbi]

Frankly, the amount of money you are considering is ridiculous.

I get a half-hour lesson each week for $10.00 per lesson.  These are GOOD lessons.

My teacher has a Master's from Oberlin College and has taught for many years. 

She is a bit old at this point -- perhaps her mid 70's -- and is semi-retired, I believe.

But if you shop around, you should be able to get a good teacher at much less than the absurd overpayment you are considering.

I really wish you luck.

Ehem, frankly, I think the amount you are quoting is ridiculous. People who make their living with teaching can't possibly live off $20/hour. Around here (metropolitan US), high-quality teachers are asking for $40-60/hour.

That is not to say that one can't get decent lessons for $20/hour, but probably only from music students who teach on the side or someone who is well set and does it for fun.

So, better not instilling the idea in students that quality education can be had for $20/hours, or in teachers that they should lower their prices to that level. We'd be out of (good) teachers very quickly.

[celticqt]

I'll second that, xvimbi!!

[happyface94]

Wow, good thing I'm a conservatory and I only pay 200$ canadian for 30 sessions for 1.5 hours.

[allthumbs]

Greetings pytis123

Get a teacher! If you are really serious and wish to progress at an elevated and steady rate, a good piano teacher is a must. There is so much to learn about technique, repertoire and musicianship that it would be nearly impossible to achieve this on your own.

Even some concert pianists take lessons from time to time from a teacher to tweak up their technique or work on other things that only an impartial observer would pick up on.

Good luck!

Cheers

allthumbs

[joachimf]

I definately agree with allthumbs here. I wouldn't be where I am today without a teacher, especially not without the teacher I'm so proud to have.
A teacher hears things you can't hear, and they can help on the right track. Just make sure you get a good teacher. Remember the point with a teacher is to make you more independent and be able to hear things in your playing you didn't hear before. You can't  have a teacher for ever... at least not on a regular basis.(well you can...but..)

If it's of any interest my teacher takes about 80$ an hour.... (with todays currency (from 500 norwegian kroners))

Good luck!

[abell88]

Wow, good thing I'm a conservatory and I only pay 200$ canadian for 30 sessions for 1.5 hours.

So...you pay less than $4.50 per hour??? I'm guessing you have some kind of scholarship?

[steve jones]

Ok im thinking about getting piano lessons since im not realy getting progress now... I can play Fur Elise, Arabesque,La Canduer,and Canon in D but. If my parent see progress I think they would be willing to pay for a: "1 hour private lesson $154 ($38.50/lesson" But is it realy worth it? do people realy see that mutch progress to be willing to pay that mutch? I would ask my sister to teach me sisce she studied for 12+ years and played for 15+ and is still going but shes realy busy. One lesson was a major inprovement from her since i learned correct fingering... But is it worth it or should i  get like publick lessons somewhere? I live in LA if anyone knows any good teachers pls tell!

I was in a similar situation myself recently pytis. Wasnt sure whether the cost : benefit ratio was really working in favour of getting lessons.

Well, I decided I give it a trial. If after a couple of months I feel its worth it I shall continue. I recommend you try something similar - ask your parents for say 3 months worth of lessons, then re evaluate.

Incidentally, Iv never been a big believer in public lessons. One to one is the way to do it imo.

[pytis123]

Well thank you for the tips everyone! Il get a good teacher as soon as i find one! any recomdations for teachers in Los Angeles? Ima ask the music teacher and the piano theacher is school for good recomdations too! Im also starting piano lesons in school next week.