How to Get Back in the Saddle

[littlelola4]

I took piano and theory lessons as a kid/teenager and made it to RCM's Grade 9 before "flunking" out and deciding that it was getting to be too much for me. Something I definitely regret now! It has now been just over 10 years since my last piano lesson and over these years I have still played, but have definitely seen my technique and ability worsen.

Now all these years later, I've realized that piano playing is such a skill, and I'm toying with the idea of teaching piano somewhere down the road. However, right now, I feel so rusty in both my playing and my theory, that I have no confidence in teaching.

I have two questions:

1) How do I go about getting better on my own? Do I work on mastering my old grade 9 material? Or do I work on mastering even easier material? Once I do this should I get a piano teacher to finish up grade 9/10/ARCT if I go that route?? Can't imagine being capable of that at this point but I'm sure I've got it in me somewhere...

2) What is the best way to go about teaching piano? Can you use your own method or do most teachers choose a certain method or style of teaching? Do you need to have a minimum certification?

I would be interested in hearing some responses! Thanks!

[cagal]

Wow - it was like I was reading my own post with a few minor differences (insert 25 years instead of 10).  I too did not pass Grade 9 RCM as I started university and had other interests.  Here are my thoughts (which are only based on my own experience)

I would not have been able to move forward on my own.  It took me about a year to even get technique up to snuff but now is pretty much up to standard, and having a teacher has been invaluable as there was sooo much I had forgotten, plus the pieces in Grade 10 are quite a jump form Grade 9.  I decided rehashing Grade 9 was pointless but I did have a goal in mind, which was to finally complete RCM ( I may go on to ARCT, but due to family and career demands, this could take a long time) .  I am currently studying for my Grade 10 exam for January.  It was very frustrating at first and I thought I was nuts but now after about a year and a half, I have three of pieces almost memorized and am working on the other two and everything is coming along quite well.

Just so you don't lose heart, I could not even play a C+ scale when I came back.  I started and semi-fnished three pieces  before settling on my current ones but now am in the groove.  I never thought I could play what I do,but perseverance has paid off.

Currently studying:  Bach Fantasia in C minor, Mozart Sonata K282, Schubert Moment Musical Op 94 No 2, Rachmaninoff Prelude OP 32 No 10 and Barber Pas de Deux

Can't help on the teaching question.
E