Desperately Need Help...

[ThePhoenixEffect]

Where I am, I only have one piano teacher as an option.  

She isn't very good I think and niether was my first teacher comparing to some of the things I've been hearing on this board and other sources online (coughBernhard,Chang.etccough)

I've been playing for about 5 years now, 1 year with this teacher, I slacked of with my first teacher simply I guess because I wasn't really motivated with the Alfred Method.  My old teacher I think had you finish that first before you really started on the "masterworks", plus she was mostly a pop teacher do I really don't know where I would go if continued with her. (Which would have probably been the case if I hadn't gone to a "boarding school")  

My current teacher teaches pragmatically, but I pretty much choose what pieces I play.  

Thats where my problem lies.

I have no idea where I should go next!

Here are the pieces I've began/finishing/just finished

I just began Fur Elise for the heck of it.

I'm finishing Solfiegtto by CPE Bach, its memorized and almost too speed HT, at speed HS.

I've finished two simple sonatina's,

one by Atwood that has three movements

and one by G Benda. (the one that is done in one movement)

I've also recently finished Toccatina by Kabalesky, Spinning Song by Ellmenreich, L Avalanche by Heller.

Nothing noteworthy, but for fun I finished a profession touch arrangement by Dan Coates of Canon in D by Pachabel.

I'm thinking of starting a Bach Invention, and try to learn it the way Bernhard (https://www.pianoforum.net/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi?)board=teac;action=display;num=1081198385described he taught them. My music theory and aural skills aren't very good as my teahers didn't really teach it so I'm on my own for that so I'm going to have to do a bit of research...

I haven't done scales at all this year, but I'm currently working on Thumb over technique.  

So where do I go from here?  

[squinchy]

I'm at almost exactly the same spot as you (levelwise, I-don't-have-a-very-good-teacher-wise, etc), except I have choices of other teachers. However, my silly cautious conservative side tells me to stick with the one I have and not risk changing teachers.

What my teacher is telling me to do now is to start learning some romantic pieces. I'm not too excited about that-I'm more of a bach-mozart-beethoven person (or maybe that's because I haven't listened to much else..). However, you might like to try that (a different style).

Also, I think a decent teacher (a teacher who deserves to teach) should be able to teach you what you want to learn whether they enjoy that or not. Perhaps request your teacher to teach you an invention and music theory?

Good luck,
Squinchers

[dj]

if you, as a student, can tell that your teacher is not very good, try as hard as you can to find a new teacher!

[ThePhoenixEffect]

The thing is, I go to boarding school and it is very hard to arrange stuff like this for some reason. (Like the appropriate place to have the lesson...).  It took like two months for my violin lessons to be arranged.

My piano teacher also happens to be an English/Drama teacher and I'm going to have her for sophmore enlgish. The fact that she is a teacher at the school allowed me to arrange piano lessons easily.  

I mean its going to be embarassing to ask her to ask the administration to let me use her music/drama classroom (which has the best piano in the school in it...) for a better qualified teacher.  But in any case this is a "REALLY" small county in the middle of nowhere so I really doubt I can find any piano teachers better than her.(Or even in the area!)  (Lets just say my school is in a Benedicitine Abbey)

[Shagdac]

I agree that having a an excellent teacher that meets your needs is extremely important. You did state however that you only have 1 choice for your teacher. So assuming that you are absolutely unable to change at this point in time, I would definately discuss your concerns with your current instructor.

Let her know why you want to play the piano, where you expect to go with it, and your goals. Also let her know where your concerns lie, and what you feel is being left out that you think is important. Although she may not be the best teacher, by having a good idea of your expectations and what you plan to do with your piano education, it certainly should help her as far as guiding her in teaching you what you need to know.  There is nothing wrong with questioning a teacher. Just as all students are different and playing with different goals in mind, teachers are all different, and their approach to teaching varies considerably.

By being open with your teacher and letting them know exactly what you are willing to give to the learning process and what you expect out of the teching process, you should be able to come together with a better understanding of where your headed.

I would also suggest that you mention pieces that you are interested in playing so that your instructor will get a feel of what interests you. I do not know your age, but if you are at a boarding school facility, I imagine you are under 18. If this is the case and you are truly serious about studying the piano, I would certainly discuss this with your parents and make them aware of how serious you are, perhaps they will be able to assist you in locating a different teacher, or getting the type of instruction that is more suited to your needs.

I wish you the very best
Good Luck!

S

[donjuan]

I completely agree with ShagDac!  The key to having a great teacher is to begin by being a good student.  I was reading your first post, and it sounds like your current teacher sits back and lets you try anything you want.  Now your problem is, your teacher doesnt help you improve and you are getting more confused by the day, right?  I also had a teacher interested in pop music and jazz more than classical.  I came out of it all with horrible theory and even worse sightreading skills.  I decided to play lots of Liszt (because Liszt was such a great pianist, he wrote music very comfortable to play, therefore, easy to memorize and perform).  Now, I choose pieces of Liszt to work on with my teacher.  I choose pieces usually with a goal in the end (eg, I did un sospiro to improve arpeggios).  A good teacher will help you make any music you wish, not sit back and let you fall to pieces, or prescribe music like a family doctor.
donjuan

[ThePhoenixEffect]

Thanks for the replies!

What should I discuss with her?

What pieces should I aim to play? My first post listed all the pieces I've currently finished/am working on.  

Should I start doing scales/arpeggios again?  If she's a little lacking on the theory part, what is a good book on classical theory I should read?