Pedagogy Lessons

[meli]

I have been taking pedagogy lessons with this teacher for about 2 years now. She has been great help and given me tons of information (so much reading!) and basically lets me know of seminars, workshops, concerts etc...  I also just started teaching about 2 months ago (beginners) and enjoyed it very much. However, I haven't been too happy with my playing lately. My technique has gone kinda rusty, and its making me feel unconfident and moody. I enjoy learning pieces by myself but I kind of miss the "pressure" to play well for a teacher who will listen. Sigh. I gave all kinds of hints to my teacher, but she doesn't seem to understand. Honestly, I've read enough and slowly teaching for experience, but now I would like to play and expand my technique and repertiore! Should I change teachers or are most pedagogy teachers like this anyway?

[m1469]

Instead of trying to just "drop hints," why don't you actually ask her if you can take performance lessons with her ?  That is, if you would want to study this with her specifically.  I am not sure how most "pedagogy" teachers work, but sometimes they are very much specialized in helping other teachers, however, they generally would have a vast knowledge of the repertoire and performance practice, therefore would have a lot to share.  My main studies were done with performance coaches, so I can't comment too much on people who may specialize in pedagogy.

In general, find out if she is actually the person you would want to study with, and then just ask.  I would not recommend leaving it up to the teacher to initially ask you to study with them  .

[Bob]

Yes, I would just tell her.  Be bold.  Get the performance lessons, from whoever you want.

I find any improvement takes a lot of focus and effort.  But you don't have to work on improving things all the time.  Sometimes, it's good to let things settle for awhile.  Sounds like you might want to focus less on teaching others and more on improving your own performance skills?

[pianistimo]

continue to take lessons from her and add another teacher to your life for piano lessons.  it seems like the two skills are somewhat separate entities.  one is focused on the student and the other on your own personal growth (which could ultimately help the student).  as i see it - the goal of teaching is to have a student become entirely independent.  but, why is it that i am truly in your shoes as well.  i do not wish to stop taking piano lessons.  at this point i should be truly independent - but i find a lot of camraderie in discussing music and find playing alone fairly depressing.  i like to talk about the music and what others see in it.  and, get further technique advice.  it costs - but maybe the trade-off is to be more motivated.  also, to have other pianists to play music in front of.  they tend to be more critical of what happens.  this gives a better 'reality check.'

[Bob]

I just wonder about the two years with the ped teacher.  How long do you need?  Two months of real teaching though.   Hmmm.....  At some point, I wouldn't want anyone around so I could develop my own style, make my own mistakes without someone second-guessing me.  Although in the beginning of teaching I would want someone there.  I just wonder though.  Were those individual ped lessons?  Like a weekly lesson one-on-one with the teacher?

[keyofc]

meli,
What kind of things have you learned in your pedagogy lessons?
I would love to hear it! 

I think that another piano teacher might be helpful too - but I would not want to stop going to this one - if she/he has helped a lot.

Why not ask her how pedagogy and performance could be interwoven within the lesson?
Maybe there are specific pieces  you have been wanting to learn that you use as performance while using the pedagogical tips to overcome challenges......

what do you think?