lack of lessons when you're professional...

[Tash]

i was thinking about it, at a point musicians stop going to their teachers and go and fend for themselves pretty much, in terms of practice, technique etc. compared to like every other profession like this, they still have training- dancers, sportspeople, etc. even i guess actors do to some degree. am i thinking this right or am i being ignorant... comments?

[ahinton]

i was thinking about it, at a point musicians stop going to their teachers and go and fend for themselves pretty much, in terms of practice, technique etc. compared to like every other profession like this, they still have training- dancers, sportspeople, etc. even i guess actors do to some degree. am i thinking this right or am i being ignorant... comments?

Partly so, I think - except to say that singers are far more often (than instrumentalists) likely to seek and receive coaching long after their formal study periods have ended.

Best,

Alistair

[stevie]

hahaha, evgeny kissin still bones up with his teacher for knowledge.

[steve jones]

I guess there is always something to learn, is there not?

But for a top grade pianist, I would imagine its more about learning different ideas and perspectives, rather than right and wrong.

It could be debated that this kind of collaborative study is more important to those at the top than it is to those at the bottom. I mean, it is possible to learn the fundamentals without a teacher imo (for some people at aleast).

[thalbergmad]

I used to have a teacher, now i have a mentor.

[Bob]

They don't have the lessons weekly type of teacher.  If they want more expertise in an area, they go study with someone in that area for awhile.

[alzado]

As a professional, the last thing you want is for another musician to "tell you how to play it."

You set your own interpretation within the confines of acceptable norms.

[penguinlover]

That's what makes this site so fun and informative.  We get to talk shop here, and get other ideas and info.  I don't have a teacher, haven't had one since college.  This is really helpful to me.

[pianowelsh]

I tend to only have consultation lessons now. When i have a specific query or im about to give a concert I will approach one of my contacts for a session.  Also like you say if i am seeking to develop a specific area i have a lesson or two with a teacher who is a sepcialist in that area.  Its highly insulting for a professional to be told you shouldnt play like that im going to change this or that! frankly very often in technical matters they dont know much better/more than you do so I look for mentoring/artistic advice these days as technically im quite content with what i have and what i can develop under my own steam.  I thrive on being my own teacher - i realise that actually a lot of what i know has been self taught I have always been an independent studier in all subjects and I find that a pushy/imposing teacher tends to actually do me more harm than good.  I like to reason with them intellectually and dont really have time for supposedly grand masters who tell you just do it this way because i am right and yu are wrong - thats usually where we part company!! I have read and listened far too widely to be lulled into believing that there is only one way to play the piano and if you believed everything every teacher you had told you youd end up throughly confused and unable to play a thing.  You have to sift so much junk!

[g_s_223]

It is quite common for professional string players to take occasional consultation lessions: playing the violin is a lifetime study.

I agree pianists appear to do so less commonly.

[Tash]

hmmm i remembered that artists don't have 'lessons' once they finish whatever they do to learn how to draw, if in fact they ever do, if in fact they CAN draw...