Please tell me what should I do

[kghayesh]

I had some problems with my teacher whom i spent about 15 months with. She had some problems at the conservatory and was fired. Then, her reputation went down everywhere and even the cultural centre where i take my lessons decided to do the same as at the conservatory coz many students and their parents were having some troubles with her, especially with dates and schedules.

They sent me to another teacher. I tried a couple of lessons with her, and my GOD !! She is wonderful....

She is so friendly, unlike my former one who yelled at me and gave me hard times with every slight mistake (although it did make me more accurate  ).  She is better academically, she relates everything to musical theory and expression. The other one didn't care much to explain to me the details although she made me know some interesting stuff i didn't know before.

My problem is that i want to go on with my lesson with my new teacher. Yet, i feel so upset that all this time i spent with my teacher will suddenly go away.

Add to that that i must call her but I don't know what the hell to say to her coz she will offer to teach me privately at my home or hers. If my new teacher knows anything about that, she will dump me at once !!!! because she seems to have some personal issues with her....


I am so confused. Please advice me with this teacher stuff...

[keyofc]

Why don't you just tell her you are taking a break for awhile?  And if your new teacher does somehow realize you were taking lessons with her - I would think it would be pretty unprofessional for her to mention it - especially if you don't.

It sounds like there are a lot of emotions involved, but you really need the right teacher.
You could find out this way which one you're learning the most from without telling either one about a decision you haven't made yet.

Hope this helps.  I know I get emotional about decisions sometimes too - but it's always easier to be more objective when the problem is not yours.

[lostinidlewonder]

You don't have to tell them anything, but if they ask you tell them the truth. Afterall it is YOU that is trying to learn music not them! So if they get angry you change to this teacher or that you shoudl tell them to mind their own business. They are a teacher giving their service to you, you are not getting it for free, you pay them, so they should shut up and teach, not get into stupid fights with one another.

Why do you have to call your old teacher? Is it so you can make official that you are not having lessons with her anymore? Then do not do that over the phone that is very rude in my mind. When I get students I taught for years ring me and say, Oh we can finish lessons now, I say to them, nice, you could have told me that at our last lesson not just ring me like a pizza service.

[kghayesh]

Why do you have to call your old teacher?

I have to call her because the last time i saw her it was at a really normal lesson. She told me see you next time and it was so normal. Then suddenly, i haven't seen her for a couple of weeks.

And if your new teacher does somehow realize you were taking lessons with her

My new teacher knows that i have been talking with the former one. But the problem is that if i take lessons with her in parallel with the new one and she knows, there will be some problems

[RealPianist]

What is the problem if your former teacher know that you are also having lesson with the new teacher?

How about if you have 2 teacher and say to the first one that your dad ask you to go for it?

[whynot]

 I don't think you should study with two teachers at the same time.  Singers tend to do this because they have a regular teacher for the actual technique of singing, and a coach on the side for diction or some other non-technique specialty.  This is done all out in the open, usually at the recommendation of the regular teacher.  But your situation doesn't fit this model.  They are both all-around teachers.  The problem isn't that they don't like one another, although that would be ONE problem.  The real problem is that it is disrespectful to the teachers.  It doesn't give either one a proper chance to really help you.  Each will have to either fight against or tolerate the advice you get from the other, unless they teach exactly the same way, which of course they won't.  Which leads to the other real problem, YOU getting caught in the middle.  A student's job is to learn what the teacher has to offer and play to please that teacher.  That's overly simplified, but you will play to the teacher's taste (which is fine, as long as the teacher has good taste!).  This is going to become VERY difficult, very soon, changing your playing and repertoire back and forth, back and forth every lesson.  It's not going to allow for much growth.  Or peace of mind, for that matter. 

So out of respect for your teacher--whoever that is for now--and with your own progress in mind, spend time right now with one person and see what comes of it.  You can always make a change later.  Most performers had several teachers over their student career.  I'm not completely clear on the concern about calling the old teacher.  Is it that she will try to persuade you to come back?  You simply explain that you are working with someone else right now.  It's not easy to say, but quickly over with!  Teachers really don't tend to fight this.  I agree with lostinidlewonder that if you have unfinished business, it is much more respectful to speak in person.