Your first piano lessons?

[ranniks]

So far I've had. This question is mostly inclined to those who started the piano later in life (say 15>?), but I would love some answers from early starters (the way it should be) as well!

I'm asking because I want to gauge if what I've learned so far is normal and not abnormal.

[outin]

So far I've had. This question is mostly inclined to those who started the piano later in life (say 15>?), but I would love some answers from early starters (the way it should be) as well!

I'm asking because I want to gauge if what I've learned so far is normal and not abnormal.

My first lessons as a child: Can't remember much, except them being often unpleasant...

Fast forward 34 years...

Had played about 3 months on my own when I decided to buy a piano and get a teacher.

My lessons with the first teacher: No mention of technique, lot of talking about non piano stuff, silly pieces, teaching concentrated on correcting missed notes that I had already noticed myself.. had 3 of those before quitting.

My first lesson with the new teacher:
She asked me to play something. I could not remember anything else so played the minuet by Rameau. I don't think she even let me finish before telling me (can't remember the exact words) that I sucked. Then she demonstrated by playing a fast section of La Campanella "my way" (with flappy wrists and weak fingers) and then very well. She told me if I wanted to ever learn to play advanced stuff I need to work on technique. I was not surprised, after all I wanted a tecaher who could teach proper technique, but have to admit that it was a bit of a wake up call.

Then the actual work to create the technique started and hasn't stopped yet. A lot of frustration, very slow progress and often not understanding at all how to physically achieve what she wanted. Thoughts of quitting every now and then. I think it took me a year to start really believing that it might pay off eventually even though she often told me I was better.

The second lesson she asked me to bring music I want to play. I did (most of it far beyond my abilities) and she selected one that we started to work on. In addition she gave me little studies that I could never master but I think they did their job anyway.

Now we only work on pieces I select myself.

BTW. This week she told me that I don't have to play Bach if I don't like it, since I'm not studying in an institute. So I am officially Bach free

[werq34ac]

Bach wrote some beautiful music, if you don't want to play it at least listen to some 


Anyway, all I remember was that I learned the "cheat" method of where middle C was (hint hint it's the only C where the brand name is written). I learned the names of all the keys and basic rhythm, though somehow I think I knew basic rhythm before my first piano lesson. And then my method book was really good in teaching students to learn to read music gradually so I didn't do any legitimate note reading for about a month.

[rachmaninoff_forever]

First lesson EVER (9 years old)

Teacher:  Hey what's up kid?  You wanna learn the piano bro?

Me:  sure!

*half an hour later*

Mom:  Johnny we have to go home

Me grabbing on to teachers leg:  but I don't wanna leave!!!!!!!!!!!



When I got my new teacher

Teacher:  alright so play something for me

Me:  sure bro

*plays something by Rachmaninoff*

Teacher:  alright kid, so this is how it is...  I'm the guy who's supposed to give you the toolbox to cut down the tree!  Because right now, you're cutting down the tree with the improper tools!  So you'll cut it down the wrong way, and it's going to fall on to someone's car, or house.  You could hurt someone dude!  No but yeah, that's how it's going to be for now on.

me:  okay?   



When I got the teacher I'm studying under now

Teacher:  play something for me kid

Me:  yeah sure

*plays some Rachmaninoff*

Teacher:  you freaking suck!!!!!!  I have students who come from china who are WAAAAAY better than you!  You think you're on kid?!  Just give up your hopes and dreams as soon as possible.  Because you suck.  Now I'm about to bake you now kid!  For wasting my time by insulting Rachmaninoff!  With your...  Your head looks like a cereal box, and look like you chew water!  You look almost as bad as your piano playing!  Notice how I said 'almost' because it's not actually as bad as your playing!  Because your playing is absolutely TERRIBLE!!!  You sound like a baby penguin crying out to it's mother.  Loser...

Me:  

Teacher:  but I'll teach you...  But don't get too happy stupid kid?!  Because you freaking SUCK!!!  You are a LOSER!!!  L.O.S.E.R!!!!!  

Me:  

[perprocrastinate]

First lesson EVER (9 years old)

Teacher:  Hey what's up kid?  You wanna learn the piano bro?

Me:  sure!

*half an hour later*

Mom:  Johnny we have to go home

Me grabbing on to teachers leg:  but I don't wanna leave!!!!!!!!!!!



When I got my new teacher

Teacher:  alright so play something for me

Me:  sure bro

*plays something by Rachmaninoff*

Teacher:  alright kid, so this is how it is...  I'm the guy who's supposed to give you the toolbox to cut down the tree!  Because right now, you're cutting down the tree with the improper tools!  So you'll cut it down the wrong way, and it's going to fall on to someone's car, or house.  You could hurt someone dude!  No but yeah, that's how it's going to be for now on.

me:  okay?   



When I got the teacher I'm studying under now

Teacher:  play something for me kid

Me:  yeah sure

*plays some Rachmaninoff*

Teacher:  you freaking suck!!!!!!  I have students who come from china who are WAAAAAY better than you!  You think you're on kid?!  Just give up your hopes and dreams as soon as possible.  Because you suck.  Now I'm about to bake you now kid!  For wasting my time by insulting Rachmaninoff!  With your...  Your head looks like a cereal box, and look like you chew water!  You look almost as bad as your piano playing!  Notice how I said 'almost' because it's not actually as bad as your playing!  Because your playing is absolutely TERRIBLE!!!  You sound like a baby penguin crying out to it's mother.  Loser...

Me:   

Teacher:  but I'll teach you...  But don't get too happy stupid kid?!  Because you freaking SUCK!!!  You are a LOSER!!!  L.O.S.E.R!!!!!   

Me:   

You should have kicked him in the shin. My first piano lesson was not too long ago, I believe it was in the middle of June '11. I barely learned anything useful, so I quit the lessons after two months. Also quit the piano. Why am I here now? Enlightenment in December '11 because I heard the Revolutionary Etude.

It kinda sucks that I got into learning the piano that way. So unconventional and blasphemous.

[j_menz]

Teacher:  you freaking suck!!!!!!  I have students who come from china who are WAAAAAY better than you!  You think you're on kid?!  Just give up your hopes and dreams as soon as possible.  Because you suck.  Now I'm about to bake you now kid!  For wasting my time by insulting Rachmaninoff!  With your...  Your head looks like a cereal box, and look like you chew water!  You look almost as bad as your piano playing!  Notice how I said 'almost' because it's not actually as bad as your playing!  Because your playing is absolutely TERRIBLE!!!  You sound like a baby penguin crying out to it's mother.  Loser...

And yet you are now his pupil. Methinks you exaggerate a bit. Also, the better you are, the harsher the criticism; no-one expects perfection from a 9 year old, but from someone who wants to really make it? Different criteria apply.

[rachmaninoff_forever]

And yet you are now his pupil. Methinks you exaggerate a bit. Also, the better you are, the harsher the criticism; no-one expects perfection from a 9 year old, but from someone who wants to really make it? Different criteria apply.

Things he actually said in real life:  'You suck', 'I have students who come from China who are way better than you', 'give up your hopes and dreams as soon as possible'

And this teacher wasn't when I was 9.  This was when I just turned 17.

[j_menz]

Things he actually said in real life:  'You suck', 'I have students who come from China who are way better than you', 'give up your hopes and dreams as soon as possible'

And this teacher wasn't when I was 9.  This was when I just turned 17.

The better you are, the harsher the criticism; no-one expects perfection from a 9 year old, but from someone who wants to really make it? Different criteria apply.

 

[outin]

Bach wrote some beautiful music, if you don't want to play it at least listen to some 

Let me clarify something... IF I have to choose I'd rather play than listen. It's that bad...

[werq34ac]

Let me clarify something... IF I have to choose I'd rather play than listen. It's that bad...

GASP blasphemy! Haha just kidding. But keep in mind he is THE MOST respected composer of all time and there's a reason why we study him. I understand your sentiments that Bach can be boring, but that's why it's so mindblowing. His music is so boring and yet, amazing. Does that make sense?

[j_menz]

His music is so boring and yet, amazing. Does that make sense?

None whatsoever, I'm afraid.

If you find Bach boring, you probably don't understand him. Those who like Bach never find him boring.

[rachmaninoff_forever]

Those who like Bach never find him boring.

Well that applies to everyone.

Those who like certain composers never find their composer boring. 

Wanna know why?

Because they like their composers!

[j_menz]

Those who like certain composers never find their composer boring. 

A certain C#m Prelude comes to mind....... Mr Forever. 

[ajspiano]

Those who like certain composers never find their composer boring. 

There was a time when I didnt care much for the sound of bach - but I NEVER found the compositions boring, they are far too intricate and intelligently structured.

[rachmaninoff_forever]

A certain C#m Prelude comes to mind....... Mr Forever.  

I never said it was boring, I just said that I didn't like it.

DIFFERENCE...

[werq34ac]

Boring was the wrong word. Help me out here guys. Restrained?

[outin]

Let me clarify something... IF I have to choose I'd rather play than listen. It's that bad...

I hope no one thought I meant the music is bad. I meant my mental state is that bad

Yes, Bach was definitely an intelligent guy and his music requires intelligence. I'd rather study quantum physics than kontrapunkt I'm afraid... Music is for my dumb side