I don't want to replace my teacher.

[faa2010]

I've been studying piano since 2002 (well, I studied one year when I was 8 years old). My teacher is a good person, she is not bad mannered, she is gentle, polite, and if she wasn't for her, I wouldn't have increased my piano skills. She doesn't demand too much (doing warming exercises, scales, some exercises before playing my pieces, etc.) and she told me that I have improved since I continued playing piano. Her classes are in her house.

One day, I met a person who is a teacher from a Conservatoire, she told me that I can go with her if I want to improve in the pieces I am playing.

The day when I went to see me, she saw my playing, and she told me that I have no bases to play piano, no technique, that my teacher doesn't teach me properly and she want me to "start" with her from zero: with learning the scales, major and minor, their cadences, at different tempo, etc. and that if I got it, then I am going to play piano pieces that she will be giving me.

Of course, when I play the piano, the persons who listen my piano say that I play nicely, that I play it very good, so that means that in general my piano has a good sound and it's not considered as an uncomfortable noise. Playing piano for me is for having fun, not for professional league, despite thinking about it some days.

I want to improve my skills, but also I don't want to replace my formal piano teacher, she has been very nice to me, and she tries her best to correct me in the pieces I play. Maybe the teacher from the Conservatoire is right, that she hasn't taught me properly like the profesionals, but I have a great respect and love for my teacher, I don't want to replace her as my piano teacher, and besides, if it wasn't by her, I would haven't improved in my playing and played many piano pieces as I have, and the pieces I have chosen to learn and play. What can I do? If I went to the Conservatoire is only for improving and polishing my skills, listen other's opinion and because I am opened to other suggestions, not for changing my piano teacher.

Ah, and also I have been in some way autodidactic since I got my electric piano in my house, but I am not worried about it.

[lostinidlewonder]

Why not ask your current teacher to be tougher on you? Ask her to try to put more pressure on you through study and expect more from you. The only time you really have to change teacher is when the teacher cannot keep up with your rate of learning (or does not encourage it).

Ask her about what the conservatory teacher talked about, maybe she can teach you scales and theory etc. Any teacher who says to you, START FROM SCRATCH, you should be very wary of. All of the best teachers will work with what you have and build from there, those that say they want to tear down all the foundation you have set up either are quite ambitious teachers, or just chose their words poorly.

[faa2010]

Oh, and I forgot to tell that I feel really comfortable with my current teacher (the enviroment and her good manners), she keeps telling me how to improve in the piece I play each time I have class, and there are times when she says that I improve in some parts, although I haven't had practice scales or some exercises.

The teacher from the conservatoire has also good manners, but as here in this post said, she wants me to start from scratch and she said that my teacher was not a real teacher and that I really haven't learned to play the piano, that a least I have the lightest idea or conception about playing piano.

[m19834]

Well, certainly nobody's forcing you to change teachers but you do seem at least a little curious about what this other option might be like.  One thing is for certain though, if you ever *did* want to play professionally, you have to get professional training, and though you can have a wonderful interaction with a teacher under those circumstances (at least in my opinion), that path is definitely more serious and is not a bed of roses as far as I can tell.

Two things :  People, whether they are teachers or not, will say *A LOT* of things if they feel the need, and these things may or may not be true. Just because the woman from the conservatoire said what she said, it doesn't necessarily mean it's true -- however, in some sense, starting with a new teacher can be like starting brand new, in some ways, no matter what (so, her saying that stuff is just kind of a dramatic statement of the obvious).

The other thing is that it's very possibe that your current teacher has just been holding out until the right moment. It's taken me several years to realize that, as a teacher myself, I have to be pretty careful about my expectations of my students.  It's an art to know, as a teacher, when to push, when to pull, and when to just let be. Basically, with most of my students, I am always just looking for little opportunities to open something new up to them without scaring them off completely.

And, as a side note, I definitely have students whom, if they decided at some point that they would like to "up the anty" a bit in terms of their goals with the endeavor, we would need to change regimes. If another teacher saw them from the outside, they would see all the flaws, maybe see the potential (and perhaps the newly found desire), and could easily decide that I wasn't doing whatever that teacher might think I should be doing.  However, so much of that has to do with perception, and in many cases, the students just aren't ready for it yet and that's the main reason I hold back. If I have a student who is showing reasonable interest and ability (but may be lacking other important traits), sometimes I have felt inclined to just frankly let them know that we are on a particular road right now, but that there is much, much more (most students that I teach really have no idea how deep the field is) that can be learned and studied. I tell them that if they ever feel like they are wanting to know what's on that other road, that I want them to let me know. Of course, it doesn't mean they WOULD let me know, but I think communication is important anyway.  The rest of the time, I am still just trying to sneak things in and keep them going.

Anyway, communicate .      

[birba]

The eternal dilemma.  You haven't mentioned your age or whether you intend to enter the conservatory eventually.  You sound like you've had a very good teacher up to now.  She's given you the basics (although, I gather she didn't teach you the scales?!) and, above all, a love for the piano and what your capabilities have been up to now.  It's difficult, I know, to move on.  You feel obligated to your current teacher and don't want to offend or hurt her.  I don't think you can tell a teacher "how to teach you".  She's following her instincts and her knowledge of your skills, and her basic teaching method is not going to change by you telling her you want her to be stricter with you.  It's difficult to judge these matters without hearing you and seeing what level you've arrived at.  But, personally, I think it would be very good for you at this point to move on to another perspective and musical outlook.  It's how to broach this subject with your current teacher. It's not easy, I know.  Be honest and open with her.  She might even encourage you in your endeavours.  Who knows?

[gyzzzmo]

I think you should go talk with your current teacher about it.
Many teachers have this problem that it is hard to teach kids technique because its boring, and many kids dont see the point of it. Therefor they often just dont do them, to not loose the kids' interest. Thats why you should talk with your teacher that you want to work hard on your technique by doing those boring scales, cadences etcetera, because you want to become a good pianist and you see the point in doing them.
That way you can give your teacher the great opportunity to give somebody proper lessons, and if he/she doesnt take that opportunity, you have a good reason to replace your teacher


Gyzzzmo
 

[keypeg]

Definitely talk to your teacher, and ask her about these things, without mentioning that another teacher criticized her input.  Just maybe say that you heard about these things, they seem interesting, and what did she think of teaching them to you.

Something along that line happened to me a few years ago.  I discovered that there were things in music that my teacher would have taught me, had he known that I was interested, and once we talked about it, those came into my lessons.  It also means, however, that you have to do more work in practising, because you have to study these things over the long term, and incorporate them into your playing.  If you explore forums, you will discover teachers who find students are not willing to do that kind of work, or assume they don't, and you will also find students who resent being made to do that kind of work.  All of this can impact what we end up getting from a teacher unless we speak up.  Of course some teachers also don't have the knowledge, because they come with all kinds of background.

An additional impression: Teachers seem to love when students want to learn everything that they can give them, when you take the initiative.  They also worry that when we see the extra work that is involved that we might get cold feet.  It is important, if your teacher can give you these things, that you follow through with them.

[m19834]

There are also some teachers whom are always pressing the limits and are not necessarily waiting for you to ask for that (I think it's unfair to expect a student to know exactly what to ask for and exactly how to ask for it -- the ones whom I have told there is another way are the ones whom I have pushed a certain way, but they have made it very clear they have no intention of putting in the work (but things can change without anything being formally spoken about, too).  I just don't want them to live under the false impression that they can live off their good looks alone and feel it's only fair that I tell them there is a whole other world where what they are doing just wouldn't cut it (sometimes they just have false ideas about it all)).  Just to be clear, what I was talking about has to do with the fact that I have tended to make many of my students want to quit (and sometimes cry) because I have expected from them more than they could even imagine giving (apparently). When you are a person who tends to be always trying to push the limits, at different times and in different ways, you find out who you can push and pull at and how.

The truth is, in many, many cases, people are looking for something easy, pleasant, and fun.  And in many cases, if they think they are looking for more than that, they either have a sound in their ear that requires more work than they knew it would to be able to achieve and can get frustrated if not able/willing to put in that kind of effort, or else they just had no idea it would actually take so much work and end up more or less changing their minds once they find out.

It seems rare to find an individual who actually thrives on being pushed and living up to higher standards, and then is actually willing to go home and do the work (*feels very guilty* ).    

[keypeg]

You are right, Karli, on both accounts.  But what I have described does exist and I've seen it more than once.  It is precisely because so many students don't want to do more that some teachers will not give more than a certain amount.  It may not be fair to expect us to know, especially to even know there is something to ask for (how will we know something is missing?) but it does happen.  And since it does, it's good to be aware, and ask if it is necessary to do so.  (Hope that makes sense).

[m19834]

Yes, there has been and still is (in some places and in some ways) an entire education and even parenting philosophy that, the child knows exactly what s/he needs and wants and will ask for it when ready. And, that nothing should ever be taught until the individual is "ready" (which translates into "when the child wants it and is asking for it"). I have not studied these philosophies in depth, but have certainly had far, far more than my fair share of caring for other people's children and being exposed to a hugely wide range of behaviors and attitudes, both from child and parents. Of course, I am not removed from that now, either, but it was a whole other thing when nannying and such.

Personally, I think there are hoards of dangers with the above mentioned philosophy, but as with many philosophies whose overall concepts I don't and wouldn't fully embrace as my own, there are aspects to it that I think are useful.  I have a friend who spent his first school-hood days in a school where they believed in not teaching a child anything, and in this case it was how to read, until they are wanting to do it. Naturally, he hid behind a door while the reading portions were taking place and didn't learn how to read until 3rd or 4th grade, after he transferred schools (after moving states) and was put in special education because he simply couldn't be in the mainstream classes without knowing how to read.  Luckily, it all worked out in the end.

Anyway, generally, if a teacher or parent doesn't have at least a little more insight about what is needed than does the student/child, then why have a teacher (or parent) at all ?  Of course that doesn't mean the teacher/parent is unfaltering and that the child/student knows nothing, but I think there's some lines which need to be clear.        

[canardroti]

If you feel you could improve with another teacher, maybe you should get another one..But I would not get the one that told you to leave your 1st teacher and badmouthed her and say you have no idea what piano playing is.
Many teachers have different style to teach because some students learn in a different way. Not every one go through Hanon, not everyone learn the same pieces and not everyone learn at the same rate.
I think you should find a teacher that really understands you and actually care for your improvement.
Teachers are surrogate parents, this is what I read in a book, I forgot which one..
" As a teacher, your student won't care how good you are until you show you care about them".
I found this very true, I have studied with 4 different teachers..and I only had a connection with one of them ( those years were my biggest improvement too).

[go12_3]

I think when a student begins to question about his teacher, and not progressing in what
he would like, then change teachers.  Interview a few teachers and find out what technique they teach and from what books they use.  Have them listen to you play a piece and see how they react.  Sometimes change is for the better when a student gets locked to the same teacher. 

[avguste]

My first question is where are you located and which conservatory are you referring to?

As far as changing teachers, from what you wrote, and although I havent heard you play, your current teacher seems to have taught you very well. However, if you consider the professional world, at some point, sooner rather than later, you will have to change teachers to grow as a person and as pianist.
My other take is that you are currently very comfortable and you are afraid of the unknown. Especially after hearing what the conservatory teacher(who is that by the way) told you, you are hesitant and resistant to change.
These feelings are all normal, however to make progress, you would also have to conquer those feelings

[faa2010]

Thanks for your comments and advices. Now I have another question: Is it okay to have two piano teachers at the same time (of course, at different place and time, well, at different time), or should I choose only one?

[chopin1993]

Thanks for your comments and advices. Now I have another question: Is it okay to have two piano teachers at the same time (of course, at different place and time, well, at different time), or should I choose only one?

It's ok to have 2 teachers! I also have 2 teachers, but one of them is a concert pianist, so I only go to him for polishing pieces and the more difficult pieces.. No Czerny Etudes or anything like that.
The only thing you should be aware of is that they probably won't have the same opinions on pieces, theories, studying, etc... So it's confusing hearing it from different teachers. When that happens, I always try both the things they say and see which I think is best for me.

Good luck!

[m19834]

Thanks for your comments and advices. Now I have another question: Is it okay to have two piano teachers at the same time (of course, at different place and time, well, at different time), or should I choose only one?

Why do you want two ?