Why I heart my piano teacher

[dss62467]

After spending the last couple months learning Mozart Sonata k330 and Haydn Sonata 54, my teacher decided it was time for something simpler to give me a rest.  He assigned a Mozart violin/piano duet sonata (I have NO idea which one it is, since he photocopied it out of his book and it's not labelled), and a Schubert piece.    I'm going to my lesson tonight and saying "No" to the Schubert and telling him I'm learning Transylvanian Lullaby from John Morris instead.   (The theme from Young Frankenstein).   I know, I'm taking "simpler" to a simpler level than what he intended, since I can pretty much sight read the whole thing.... but I'm hoping he'll figure out the violin part for it.

When I think back to when I was taking lessons as a teen, there's NO way I'd say "no" to anything my teacher asked me to play.  Not sure if it's my developed self confidence, of just my extremely affable instructor, but I like the change.

[peterjmathis]

It's probably just that you're older now, but it is good for a piano teacher to listen to the student, as long as they don't back down on the most important things.

[m19834]

I'm going to my lesson tonight and saying "No" to the Schubert and telling him I'm learning Transylvanian Lullaby from John Morris instead.

So, how'd it treat ya' ? 

[dss62467]

Lesson got postponed.  Grrrr.   This is what happens when you have a teacher who does a lot of performance jobs.   He'll no doubt let me play it this week, then say... OK... let's find you something better.

Seriously, I'm already ready to move on to a "real" piece.  I haven't been able to spend more than half an hour at the piano this week because I don't have something to frustrate me.   

[go12_3]

I think your thread is confusing me....you "hate" your teacher now?
And what's the deal here?  If you are ready to move on to a real piece, and
you mentioned you haven't been able to spend more than a half hour at the piano
this week, "because I don't have something to frustrate me", 
well, for one thing, make time to practice a piece that you would be ready to take  on.
The other thing, do you want something to frustrate you to learn a piece?
I'm totally confused by your post.

[dss62467]

I think your thread is confusing me....you "hate" your teacher now?
And what's the deal here?  If you are ready to move on to a real piece, and
you mentioned you haven't been able to spend more than a half hour at the piano
this week, "because I don't have something to frustrate me", 
well, for one thing, make time to practice a piece that you would be ready to take  on.
The other thing, do you want something to frustrate you to learn a piece?
I'm totally confused by your post.

Wow, sorry, I guess I really did confuse you.   No, I have been literally able to practice for a week, but wasn't interested because what I was playing wasn't challenging enough to get me to stay there and work hard at it.   By "frustrate" I guess I more meant "challenge".  Had my lesson tonight and it was a lot of fun.  We worked on the Mozart sonata 8, which we will be doing together with him playing the violin.  It's my first duet, but simple enough.  I do have some definite work to do on it and am more interested in it after tonight's lesson.  And he gave me a different part of the Schubert piece that's more to my liking.   So I'm good to go.

Still love the teacher.  He makes me laugh.

[go12_3]

Wow, sorry, I guess I really did confuse you.   No, I have been literally able to practice for a week, but wasn't interested because what I was playing wasn't challenging enough to get me to stay there and work hard at it.   By "frustrate" I guess I more meant "challenge".  Had my lesson tonight and it was a lot of fun.  We worked on the Mozart sonata 8, which we will be doing together with him playing the violin.  It's my first duet, but simple enough.  I do have some definite work to do on it and am more interested in it after tonight's lesson.  And he gave me a different part of the Schubert piece that's more to my liking.   So I'm good to go.

Still love the teacher.  He makes me laugh.

Oh, I see....=)

[3htohn]

Hi Ddss62467,

Actually, I'm confused now lol. I was going to respond (had it all typed out) but for one reason or another, I didn't.

But I'm glad I didn't because it may have been all wrong lol.

Do you play the violin?

Энтони.

[dss62467]

No, I don't play the violin - my teacher does.   He is going to play the violin part, and I get the piano.   

Maybe I'll just shut up.  This all makes sense in my head.  LOL