Going to 2 teachers ??

[kghayesh]

Hi,

I've just changed teachers about a month ago. My former teacher got kicked out of the conservatory ( due to some problems with the management that i don't know) and so she was kicked out of the Cultural centre where i take lessons. I took lessons with another one who turned out to be a much more professional pianist and teacher as well.
I feel a bit more relaxed and happy with my new teacher. I can even discuss with her anything because at least she can speak English ( she is Russian). I had so many troubles communicating with the former one due to language barriers.

Anyways, I knew that my former teacher offered me to give me lessons at my home at the same price i used to pay at the cultural center. The one who told me this said she was having trouble making a proper living coz she was kicked out of many places as well.

Now i am confused and i don't know what to do. Of course i won't stop lessons with the new teacher ( i take 2 lessons/ week). My problem is that i don't know whether i should respond to the offer of my former teacher. ( I can take 1 lesson only for half the price)

Although, the former teacher is not as good as the new one, she helped me a LOT to improve. Before i started with her i was a complete piano jerk, she made me play properly and she organized me a recital, which my first solo recital in my life. Also, she introduced me to the advanced repertoire ( Chopin Ballade, Pathetique sonata, Chopin Etude ).

So, IF i can afford taking lessons with both teachers, what do you advice me to do?? I am so confused.

[abell88]

Discuss it with your new teacher first of all. Many teachers would be offended, but she might be okay...perhaps if your original teacher were "subcontracted", as it were, to help you with certain things...this would only work if your new teacher trusted the old one, of course. Whatever you do, don't go back to the first teacher without the new one knowing and approving.

[allthumbs]

The short answer IMO is to move on. You already stated that the new teacher is better for you all around and it would seem that you've outgrown the old teacher.

Thank the old teacher for all the help and let her know that you feel it's time to move on. If she has your interest at heart, she'll realize the truth and wish you well.

Good luck,


Cheers

allthumbs

[leahcim]

I can't see any reason you've given for having 2 teachers or for going to your old teacher.

You describe the new teacher as better and seem perfectly happy with the lessons.
You're already having 2 lessons / week.

So, it sounds like you had a good teacher and now you have an even better teacher.

What's the problem / confusion?

The only thing that might suggest it, is that the old teacher is struggling to find work / make a living. If that's the confusing part, I'd forget about it.

She isn't going to live on 1 half price lesson. If she was unfairly dismissed there should be some legal way for her to deal with that. Either way, fair or not, she's going to have to find work in the long term outside of the conservatory.

[m1469]

What exactly would be your reasoning for continuing with your former teacher in any way ?  Would it be for her, or for you ?


m1469

[kghayesh]

What exactly would be your reasoning for continuing with your former teacher in any way ?  Would it be for her, or for you ?


m1469

First of all, it is for her because i must admit that she helped me a lot (although she was frustrated from me many times !)

And, for me because i think that if i took 3 lessons/week with 2 different teacher it will make me improve .

I don't know if i am right but that's what i am thinking

[kghayesh]

Discuss it with your new teacher first of all. Many teachers would be offended, but she might be okay...perhaps if your original teacher were "subcontracted", as it were, to help you with certain things...this would only work if your new teacher trusted the old one, of course. Whatever you do, don't go back to the first teacher without the new one knowing and approving.

I am afraid i won't be able to tell themif i took lessons with both of them. Doing so will ruin so much the relationship between me and them.

For the former one, if she knew i replaced her with another one, she will feel as if i am not appreciating all the things she did to me and that i don't deserve to be her student anymore.

For the new one, she kept telling me how inferior was my former teacher. She kept telling me that all her students were amateur-ish and that even as a pianist she was not so good. She even demonstrated me these points in my playing so that i am totally convinced that the new teacher is much better.

[BoliverAllmon]

I had three teachers at one point. Two of them knew of the others and didn't care one bit. in fact they would collaborate at times to help me learn better. The third on the other hand found out eventually and got super pissed, took my school scholarship away from me and gave me Hell. To this day we still don't speak to each other. It is a crazy situation. So my advice is just beware.

boliver

[m1469]

It seems to me that some communication between you and your teachers is needed.  Mostly because, while 3 lessons a week MAY help you, zero lessons a week may be the outcome of your initial 3.  So in that regard, no, they won't help you.   The bottom line is that you need to do what is best for you.  A teacher can respect that, or they are going to have a very tough time in business.  However, with people involved, things can tend to get a little messy.

Each teacher can let you know the terms of their own business, and then you can better decide what you may want to do.   With that being said, you obviously feel as though you get something from each that you don't get from the other (which is always true because of the individual nature of it all).   If you have clear ideas about what you are looking for in a teacher, or what you are wishing to learn, give "the" teacher  a chance to know, and provide that if they feel able.

While I understand having compassion and sentiment toward a person who has been of great help to you, all students eventually move on (or at least the relationship may change GREATLY) in one way or another, and that's just part of the business.   You do not need to feel guilty about moving on, and you do not need to feel bad about doing what is truly best for you, whatever that may be.

Also, remember that you are not ever signing up with a teacher to find THEE way to piano playing (that is up to you and your lifetime pursuit of it all).  At most, you are signing up to find their way of piano playing, or at least their way of teaching it.



Keep us posted

m1469

[rc]

I am afraid i won't be able to tell themif i took lessons with both of them. Doing so will ruin so much the relationship between me and them.

Deception is far worse, it's a noose around your neck, a burden to always carry wondering if they'll find you out. Better to be honest, even if someone might get upset. It's not like you intend on offending anyone.

From experience: being honest, even about the hard things (you'll find aren't such a big deal) will set up the right atmosphere between student and teacher. Teacher will have more trust in you and everything will be more open. It's the only way to do things.

[pianowelsh]

Ok a lot of what has been said is very good very sound advice.  However I would make it clea to your old teacher that you are now established with your new teacher and that you dont want to be caught up in any conflicts regarding technique etc etc etc as teachers especially in conservatories have wildly opposing views which wouldnt be helpfull for you right now (learn one way right first!) BUT you dont want to loose contact with this teacher and shut off an avenue of development either especially as you say you learnt a lot for them.  What i would suggest therefore is being really honest with your former teacher and saying i will still come to you sometimes BUT on the understanding that you offer performance coaching and a chance for me to play through repertoire to an experience ear and will not attempt to teach me repertoire or overhaul my technique just give advice on how i can maximise the performance of this piece (ie a masterclass/lesson) Also MAKE SURE that your new teacher would be ok with this and make it clear that you are very happy with the way you are being taught and that you will use this pair of ears only as an external critical ear on your development.  This will really help you when preparing for exams and concerts as you will benefit from 2 peoples opinions of your playing rather than one and your old teacher may be able to fix presentational issues that your new teacher hasnt got the time to address.. This could potentially be a very good situation for you as long as you keep it in control and terminate it as soon as you start getting into a cross-wind.  If the old teacher wants to keep teaching you just to proove something to former collegues or to spite everyone then stay away because it will reflet badly on you and you dont need that in your development.