Meeting Candidate Teacher--What to Ask?

[starlady]

I am returning to the piano after 40 years away, and after noodling around by myself for 6 months it is clear that I need a teacher.  So I put an ad on the bulletin board in the University Music Department, a MFA student replied, and I go talk to him tomorrow.  And I am totally blank on what to say!  I can ask about his teaching experience and does he know anything
about posture and body mechanics at the piano (I have spinal issues).  And would an obsessive focus on Bach bother him.  That's all I can think of!

Anyone got any more intelligent ideas? All you teachers--what do you want to cover when you  meet a potential student?
 
-- s.

[Bob]

Background.

Philosophy of teaching.  Do they have anything set you follow or do you go at your own pace in terms of timing? 

Are they more classical?  Do they do anything with jazz/improv? 

Do they do any music theory teaching or ear training with the lessons?

Just get an idea of their personality.  That's a big one.

Do they do anything different for teaching adults? 

Do they have any end-of-the-term recitals?  Or yearly ones?  I think those can be good.  Or do they have any studio classes where all of the teachers students get together to play for each other?

How long have they taught?  How many students are they teaching?  (Any of the other students going on in music?)



Personally I'd look for someone friendly, open to your ideas.  Knowledgable.  Some with many students and at least some experience.  Some performing too, but not a situation where the teacher is just teaching to make money -- If they have a piano pedagogy degree or music education that would be a good sign for them wanting to be a teacher (although for piano, I'd be more impressed with piano pedagogy over music ed). 

On the business side, maybe ask how flexible they are about scheduling.  The standard is weekly lessons, but I know one person who takes lessons every other week.  Cheaper and it's an adult so it works. 


A masters student or piano professor sounds good.  The masters student might be more optimistic and fresh.  And cheaper.  The piano prof could go either way.  Some are rigid.  Some are more friendly, although I'm thinking of one with a friendly exterior who might just be teaching to pick up some extra cash.

[quantum]

This site is mainly geared for teachers, but it may be useful to you as well.
https://www.marthabeth.com/piano.html

[fleetfingers]

So, did you meet with him? How did it go?

If I were you and wanted to focus on Bach, I would choose a teacher who loves Bach and can play it well.

A huge factor in choosing a teacher is whether or not your personalities click. Especially for adult students.

[starlady]

I did meet him and it went well.  I think he's someone I can easily get along with and work with.  He loves Bach but also has ideas about other composers that would appeal to me as well, and is fine with a long lesson every 2 weeks instead of weekly. 

So the first lesson is Monday!! I'm excited!! Wish me luck! Or wish the teacher luck....

-s.