Should I change teacher?

[lisztener]

Hi
I'm having a bit of dilemma here...   I'm not sure in which section this topic belongs, but however:

I've been having a teacher for about 9 months, and he has given me a lot of good tips. But he isn't a real pianoteacher, he's working at the church, playing the churchorgan. I'm the first student he's ever had. (I asked him)

Now, the problem is that the lessons are rather expensive (approximately 17 US $ per lesson, and the lessons can vary from 45 min- 2 hours ), in proportion to what I learn.  He doesn't know much of technique (which I need to learn more about), so we usually talk about notes, and how to interpret trills etc.

He's got a lot of experience, and always tells nice anecdotes from friends of his etc.

But now my note-related problems are less, and my techniqueissues are more, so he's not helping so much in that area..

I have another great teacher, who teaches technique, but only 30 minutes per week. I want to continue to have him, but I need more lessons with someone...   

About my organist-teacher:
He's recently turned out to have strict opinions about how to play this or that, certain things that I would call phrasing and individual interpretations. His opinion is that it can be played "wrong" and "right", and I dont agree with him. Sometimes his versions doesn't even equal the notes (I hope you get what I mean).

However, I like very much just playing piano with him, but I don't know how to do it? Should I ask him straight out if we could continue to play without having paid lessons, and play more as equals (or how to put it), because it doesn't give me as much as it used to?  That seems a bit cheap I think.  But the only opion other than that is to stop having him as a teacher...      I need advice!
Thanks in advance /lisztener

[m1469]

Well, okay.  There are a number of issues here, and a few things I would like to clear up from the teacher's perspective before anything else.

1.  $15-$17 per lesson is about the least expensive price I have seen for just a half hour lesson, let alone a 45 min to 2 hour lesson.   

2.  He is a "real piano teacher" if he has a "real piano student".

3.  As Papa smurf always says... I mean as Bernhard and xvimbi have mentioned, and as I am coming to see more clearly, "technique" is not taught in a vaccuum.  A teacher who is working with a person strictly on "technique" is either assigning a student to study a piece of paper with a group of notes on it, calling that very thing technique (and being wrong, at that) or they are helping with body movements that would enable a person to manage groups of notes on the piano from the page.  Or perhaps they are doing both. 

My point is, however, that a group of notes is a group of notes -- so does it really matter what page it's sitting on and who the composer is ?  No, it doesn't.  What matters are the movements one makes to manage them at the piano.  And what matters more than that even, is how relevant those movements are to us being able to make music.  And, how do we make music unless we are studying music ?

btw, your "technique" teacher charges a lot less than your other teacher ?

Now, perhaps you mean you are needing help with certain mechanical issues that arise in your repertoire study, which you feel you are not getting.  Are you having problems with managing specific spots then ?  I will admit, I do not get that impression.

About strict opinions regarding interpretation... I don't think that's bad.  Even if there is mere dictation, at least you have something to work with and this in and of itself can help to clarify your own opinions, and the reality of it is that, you will not be under the physical dictation of that teacher for the rest of your life -- no matter what.  So, you have the freedom to take what you can from him, learn as much as possible, then use what works for you when you are on your own.  As for equalling the notes, how much is changed ?  One or two once in a blue moon ?

I would not recommend informing your teacher that you would like to continue using him as a resource (of any sort) without payment.  If you do not value your teacher's time enough to pay him for it, then you most definitely should stop having him as a teacher and should begin to look for another.



m1469

[lisztener]

Thanks for the reply 

Whether he is a real piano teacher or not, facts remains that he doesn't teach me enough of the things i want to learn. And mostly it's because he doesn't know the answers.. 

And I'm not cheap in the sence you might think of me, I would pay a great teacher a lot of money, but he isn't that good I'm afraid   

My other teacher is a lot better so the price is not a problem there.  (Actually he's cheaper and the organistteacher   )   

Reading my own reply, I don't see why I should continue having the other teacher...   But it's a shame though, I really enjoy playing the piano with him..     It sounds like I want to use him, but I just like to play with him.. 

Take care   /lisztener

[m1469]

You're welcome for the reply. 

Anyway, you have summed up what you feel is wrong with the situation here :

Whether he is a real piano teacher or not, facts remains that he doesn't teach me enough of the things i want to learn.

That pretty much says it all, I believe.  And btw, just because a teacher does not teach what you want, does not make him or her a bad teacher either.  It just means that s/he is not the right one for you at this particular time, though s/he may be exactly right and extremely helpful for someone else. 

The only thing is that I would give the teacher a chance to at least know what is in your head regarding the things you are looking for.  But, if a teacher cannot help with those things in any way, then obviously your answer as to what to do is still the same.

Other than that, it sounds like you have it figured out then  .  Good luck !



m1469

[bernhard]

I would just like to add one sentece to m1469's most excellent post:

A good teacher does not necessarily teaches what you want to learn, but what you need to learn. And most of the times it will be years before we appreciate the difference.

Best wishes,
Bernhard.

[026497]

I would just like to add one sentece to m1469's most excellent post:

A good teacher does not necessarily teaches what you want to learn, but what you need to learn. And most of the times it will be years before we appreciate the difference.

Best wishes,
Bernhard.

quite philosophical.
i think you are a teacher, aren't you?

[m1469]

I would just like to add one sentece to m1469's most excellent post:

A good teacher does not necessarily teaches what you want to learn, but what you need to learn. And most of the times it will be years before we appreciate the difference.

Best wishes,
Bernhard.

*feels defensive*   

[bernhard]

quite philosophical.
i think you are a teacher, aren't you?

 

[bernhard]

*feels defensive*   

 

I decided to add two more unrealted thoughts.

1. I had several teachers, some of which have already passed away, and the others I have not seen for many, many years. Yet everyday, they are still teaching me.

2. Once a teacher (not piano related) pointed out the folowing to me: "What should you do next? If you trully want to progress and evolve, your next task should always be what you dislike the most, what you are constantly pushing away from you. Give yourself totally to that task, and when you start enjoying it, move on to your next petty dislike, until there is nothing left that you abhor."

Best wishes.
Bernhard.

[m1469]

A good teacher does not necessarily teaches what you want to learn, but what you need to learn. And most of the times it will be years before we appreciate the difference.

Best wishes,
Bernhard.

It is just that, I DO appreciate the difference.  Though I will admit, I just cannot always discern what is the actual lesson.  And I also could not always discern whether a teacher has been trying to help me actulally learn anything or whether life was just going along as it came, though now, I am thinking they probably had been. 

And also, there is such a push for students to become independent and to know what they want, and at the same time, it has been said that students are abysmally ignorant (or something like that).

As a student approaches and becomes professional, I think they should start to have a feel for what types of things they can learn on their own, and what kinds of things they will be needing help with.  And naturally, one will want to find a teacher who helps them with those things they are seeking.    

I understand that this is not the case here in this thread as it is with regard to somebody who is just starting out, but that is along the lines of what I was meaning.

I know you were not picking on me, probably you weren't even talking to me and I just take it personally  , but I felt the need to respond.


m1469

[classicarts]

If you feel she's not the teacher for you, then find another piano teacher that suits you.    Remember, your the one who's paying.

[rc]

2. Once a teacher (not piano related) pointed out the folowing to me: "What should you do next? If you trully want to progress and evolve, your next task should always be what you dislike the most, what you are constantly pushing away from you. Give yourself totally to that task, and when you start enjoying it, move on to your next petty dislike, until there is nothing left that you abhor."

Best wishes.
Bernhard.

...Just thought I'd mention, this is a damn fine perspective. It's been echoing in my head the past few days. Sort of a more positive spin on what I might've called 'fearless learning'.

[m1469]

...Just thought I'd mention, this is a *** fine perspective. It's been echoing in my head the past few days. Sort of a more positive spin on what I might've called 'fearless learning'.

Actually, I have to jump on this band-wagon as well.  It hit me when you posted it, and I have been thinking about it since.  But, I forgot to say anything beyond the words in my head


m1469