My Student hates piano lessons

[philippa]

philippa, It's really interesting, what you write! You write you never practised and hated attending  Why was that? What is the difference between you first teacher and the teacher you have now? Would be very helpful, if you could explain some more details of your piano lessons 

I was going to do so in a different topic actually, until I hit preview and it told me not to post if I wasn't a teacher! But I'm not one for obeying rules at the best of times.

But certainly. I liked to believe my teacher hadn't noticed that I was staring out the window/watching the clock/waiting for my father to pick me up. I'm quite a judgemental person if I'm being honest, and didn't think she was very clever, or even very good at the piano.  So I'd patiently play music I didn't like, that was too easy for me, over and over. I never learnt it properly, just sight-read every lesson. I'd make a mistake and she'd point out, "no, you should play F. No, use your 4th finger," so I'd repeat. I'd spent hours on end just waiting to escape the situation I was in, and didn't practice because it mentally took me back to her front room. I actually spent years and years with her as my teacher (not wanting to quit since I love the piano), and they were all like that. Still I wonder if she even knew I hated the music.

What she failed to realise was that I was playing at home, I was just playing different pieces. Once I played a piece from home in a lesson for her, and she said, "Oh. That's nice. Do you have your grade 4 book with you?" One time I even took some sheet music along, and she watched me play it through, all she did was point out the fingerings that were already written on the page.

When I switched teachers, at first I was still playing Rondo Alla Turca (which I hated), as recommended by my previous teacher, and I was so awful at it! After taking the exam it was to be played for, my new teacher quickly switched me onto music I was passionate about, let me pick a piece of my own, etc. Rather than reading off sheets she spoke to me about the feelings of the music, and techniques that weren't written down, etc. Now she still laughs about how awful I was just under 2 years ago

[counterpoint]

So it were only the wrong pieces? Or didn't you like your first teacher in general?

It's not quite clear to me what she did wrong... 

[philippa]

Well it was the pieces, and the fact she didn't seem to register human emotion.

[counterpoint]

That was surely a very depressing and sad situation, but I think, it was depressing for the teacher as well. Because you didn't learn your pieces at home, she couldn't go forward with more interesting pieces. It seems to me, that it is to a big part a problem of personal sympathy. Would you practise a piece you don't like for your new teacher, if she sincerely asked for it? I'm pretty sure, you would 

[philippa]

Yeah- reading this forum just made me feel bad for my old teacher :/ then again I was a moody 8-15 year old!!

I think I would, but my new teacher is amazing. She wouldn't ask me to play something I didn't like. Then again, I did my theory homework for my new teacher, and never my old. I think it's largely down to respect. I never heard my old teacher play anything worthwhile- but when I listen to my new teacher going through pieces she's considering teaching me, I feel like asking her to just play the piano for the 45 mins and let me listen! But I'm always more inclined to practise something I enjoy. For example, I'm a huge Chopin fan. Recently she gave me 2 pieces to learn- a Chopin and a Schumann. Of course, I know 3 pages of the Chopin in the time I've learnt 2 lines of the Schumann

My new teacher had no problem immediately moving me forwards onto better pieces. I think I had just outgrown my previous teacher, if I'm honest.

[counterpoint]

Yes, I agree, if one get's attractive pieces, practising is a lot easier and a lot more fun.
And if the teacher is able to play the pieces convincing is also very important.

Finally you found the right teacher for you. So sad, that you didn't change earlier.

[philippa]

What's even sadder is that I'm moving away to university this year. So I'll have to find a new one. Gutted!

[nyonyo]

I did not read the previous response. However, this is my take on your situation. You need to answer the following questions to come up with a decision that only you can take.

1. How many students do you have? If many, you may get rid of her. Again, it depends on you.
2. Do you enjoy the challange of converting a piano hater to a piano lover. If I were you, I will get rid the student right away. I do not deal with students who are not interested in playing piano. It take a tol of my life.
3. Do you think that this student actually has the ability to play piano well? If he or she has the ability, you may want to try to cultivate his or her talent. However, if he or she does not have, I will recommend you to get rid of him or her. Your time is too valueable to deal with problem child. Unless, you enjoy dealing with them.