Finding a new teacher

[tac-tics]

I'm in a jam. Last week, I went to my lesson at the usual time and place and found my teacher was nowhere to be found.

Apparently, the week before, he had told all his students in person that he couldn't make it the next week. I had a math test that day, though, and he neglected to call me and let me know. The problem is even worse than that. I have a slight schedule conflict as I am starting up a new club at my school. I need to leave early every week for my piano lesson. I asked my teacher to reschedule, but every week, he seems to have forgotten. I just can't help but feel he just doesn't connect with me as a student and he does not attempt to make my goals his own. I am frustrated. I am clearly not getting the instruction I need. I think I'm just about done with lessons from him.

I am wondering, now, though, how does one going about finding the right teacher? Has anyone here gone through something similar? My current situation is quite discouraging and I really don't want to repeat this with another instructor. What strategies can I use to find a good teacher? What kinds of questions would be good to ask when looking around? Is it common to take lessons for a week or so to see how well you like the instructor? Besides music shops and at my university, what other places would be good to browse?

This is really causing me stress. I was so excited to start taking lessons, and now I just feel like I'm wasting my time and money. I do want to take lessons, but I want lessons with an excellent teacher with high expectations for me.

[debussy symbolism]

Greetings.

It depends on what you think. Do you like the teacher? I think that you should talk to him or her and let you know how you feel. I think that you should let your teacher another chance, I mean he or she might be having difficulty with life too, it is possible. If your teacher for any reason whatsoever doesn't want you, although I don't see anyway that could happen, then you deserve another teacher. It is not your fault. A teacher that doesn't live up to his or her potential and decides to avoid a student is not a good teacher and then you should look for a new one. I think that you should talk to him or her and find out what's going on. I hope that everything turns out okay.

Best of Wishes.

[tac-tics]

It seems to me that these are problems stemming from his personality. He is a cool guy, and interesting to talk to about piano, but he seems to be scatter-brained to the point where it impedes the lessons. He has also had to cancel about 5 sessions this semester. Despite having taken lessons since Febraury, I've only met with him about 4 or 5 times. I think I am resolved on dropping his lessons for now. Even if I werent' I go back home in a month, so regardless, I need to find a new teacher anyway.

 I really would like advice on how one finds a suitable teacher.

[bernhard]

 I really would like advice on how one finds a suitable teacher.

It is very difficult, because the student is in no condition to judge if a teacher is suitable or not.  So the student is facing a very hard situation: S/he must trust the teacher and follow the teacher´s instructions in the belief that it will all be in his/her best interests in the end. If the teacher is indeed suitable only good can come from this trust. However if the teacher is not suitable one is risking a massive loss of time and money.

One way to go about it is to have a "probational period". Go to lessons for , say, three months and see how much progress you have made. Then decide if it is working or not. Do ask the teacher before hand how much progress you should experience, or ask to be taught something that can able learned within that time frame. In short, ask for a sample.

Here are some threads where this has been discussed:

https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,2246.msg19041.html#msg19041
(Young teachers – why young/bad teachers are not a problem – When the student is ready the right teacher will appear)

https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,2450.msg21250.html#msg21250
(the four levels of teaching: Toddler, beginner, intermediate and advanced)

https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,5569.msg53917.html#msg53917
(when are you ready to be without a teacher – roles of the teacher)

https://www.pianostreet.com/smf/index.php/topic,8399.msg85048.html#msg85048
(questions to ask a prospective teacher – reasons why payment should be monthly)

https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,2749.msg23873.html#msg23873
(self-teaching – the pitfalls. Analogy of frying an egg - principles of fingering)


Best wishes,
Bernhard.

[tac-tics]

Thanks Bernhard. I will take a look.

Of course, other are still welcome to give their suggestions