Resources for finding a good teacher.

[virtuoso80]

I'm an advanced player, but one who could benefit from some additional teaching. I've had difficult times finding a good teacher in the past, and only ever had one GREAT teacher. Here's the problems I run into:

Most advanced teachers want to say 'just go home and learn it', so then they can talk to you about the more advanced musical notions of the piece during lessons. This is the opposite of what I need - I'm not a good practicer, and I need advice for better practice discipline, techniques, and finishing a piece in a polished manner.

On the other hand, I almost always have a precise, obsessive vision in mind for exactly what I want the piece to sound like when do learn it, so I don't need someone to help me there. In fact, I find it kinda spoils it for me when other people try to interject their vision into mine. I realize why this happens, because as a teacher I do it too...I think we just enjoy talking about the things we love, and that inspire us, when it may not necessarily be the best thing for the student.

That one great teacher I mentioned NEVER told me how to interpret. He'd simply say, "I found that convincing," or "I found that unconvincing" All we really worked on was my fundamental approach to the piano.

A perfect example is when I was working on Chopin Etude Op.25, No. 12. One teacher who worked with me on it did the standard fare: "Okay, there should be a crescendo here, and a small pause there. Oh, watch that note. Oh, watch that accent." Etc. But then I got to him, he'd say things like, "The ocean is deep. When you play, think that the keys are deep, like the ocean." or "When you want to do more, don't push harder. Relax more. Ease the tension instead of increasing it." We never talked about individual sections or details, but it worked for me wonderfully.

I live close to NYC, but can't afford to spend an absolute fortune on a teacher. Does anyone have recommendations about where I can look for teachers who excel not just at piano, but at teaching in the manner I'm looking for?

[quantum]

It sounds like you are looking for a "technician."  Someone that will give you the tool set of technique in order that you realize your own vision of the music.  You don't want to copy a teachers interpretation, but rather acquire the skills that allow you to make your own discoveries in the music, pose your own questions, make your own claims. 

It would be helpful to spell all this out clearly when you interview a teacher.  Let them know exactly what your goals are up front.  Placing this all on the table from the first meeting will make for a more informed decision to whether or not a teacher and yourself are a good fit. 

I would also advise you to be open to listening to opinions and interpretations of your teachers, especially those that differ or which you may disagree with.  You are under no obligation to agree with everything your teacher says, but it would be unwise to close your mind when an idea clashes with one of your own.  It is great that you have recognized your vision for the music, but this is no excuse to dismiss an opposing interpretation.  Being knowledgeable in the possibilities of music will only lead you to becoming a better musician.  By its very nature music is not a fixed state: it can change, and it is a very beautiful thing when it does!  Celebrate the possibility of having a multiplicity of perspectives on a given piece, and the possibility of changing them at any given time. 

[ajspiano]

Most advanced teachers want to say 'just go home and learn it', so then they can talk to you about the more advanced musical notions of the piece during lessons. This is the opposite of what I need - I'm not a good practicer, and I need advice for better practice discipline, techniques, and finishing a piece in a polished manner

Not the same as an in person teacher, but in reference to the above paragraph you might like graham fitch's practicing the piano e-book. It's a bit like chang, only better presented I think and with some more/different thoughts - like a big bag of practice tricks and ideas with explanations of how/when/why to use them.. you have to pay for it, but its a pretty small investment.

https://practisingthepiano.com/ - you'll find some info there.

...............

In reference to the rest of your post, as opposed to quantum's thoughts that you need a "technician" - I got the impression that you need a mentor more than an instructor (if that makes sense).

Its a difficult position, one that I share with you infact.. I have personally long given up the hope of finding a good long term teacher. Instead I look for many different short term mentors, who's words don't come to me as direct instruction so much as general discussion or observations I make about their playing which I then explore on my own.

I also have a kind of "learn from the masters" attitude when approaching the works of the greats. I don't just learn to play a work, I spend a lot of time trying to really decipher what a composer was trying to get across (especially in the context of etude construction) - as in learning a piece is like receiving a lesson directly from the composer, only they left their instruction in music notation not written words... So I'm looking for a lot more than just what notes to play and when.

[virtuoso80]

It sounds like you are looking for a "technician."  Someone that will give you the tool set of technique in order that you realize your own vision of the music.  You don't want to copy a teachers interpretation, but rather acquire the skills that allow you to make your own discoveries in the music, pose your own questions, make your own claims. 

It would be helpful to spell all this out clearly when you interview a teacher.  Let them know exactly what your goals are up front.  Placing this all on the table from the first meeting will make for a more informed decision to whether or not a teacher and yourself are a good fit. 

I would also advise you to be open to listening to opinions and interpretations of your teachers, especially those that differ or which you may disagree with.  You are under no obligation to agree with everything your teacher says, but it would be unwise to close your mind when an idea clashes with one of your own.  It is great that you have recognized your vision for the music, but this is no excuse to dismiss an opposing interpretation.  Being knowledgeable in the possibilities of music will only lead you to becoming a better musician.  By its very nature music is not a fixed state: it can change, and it is a very beautiful thing when it does!  Celebrate the possibility of having a multiplicity of perspectives on a given piece, and the possibility of changing them at any given time. 

Thanks for the advice. Although it's gotten better as I get older, I'm insecure and sensitive when it comes to criticism. One a teacher starts making me second-guess myself, my confidence and level of playing drop off pretty severely. I once had a teacher who was a wonderfully refined, technical player, and tremendously knowledgeable and detail-oriented (he had 20 things to say about virtually every measure), but he made me feel like I didn't know which way was up, not to mention killed the joy and inspiration I had for the piece we were working on (Beethoven Sonata Op.2, No. 3). I went from, "OMG I love this piece so much, I can't wait to play it and show it to other people!" to, "Oh, if that's the 'right' way to do it, then I guess it's not as interesting and fun a piece as I thought it was. Oh well. " And once that initial inspiration has been hurt, I find it never comes back quite the same again. So, that's something I'd like to avoid. In fact, I think I need someone who can help to do the opposite: Give me confidence to believe in myself and my vision, instead of taking it away.

[4greatkeyboards]

Don't expect to learn anything from a teacher who cannot play better than you can.

A good teacher will play something for you, when asked. Don't expect they can teach you to play any better than they can play.

[dynamobt]

You don't want a teacher, you want a cheerleader.  By very definition "teaching" assessment of your present level of knowledge, and instructive criticism of your progress to learn more.  I too am ver sensitive.  So, I'm not coming down hard on you for having difficulty receiving criticism.  I'm not a fan either.  But a good teacher will ask the right questions and let you discover the "whys" of playing something differently.  Life and music would be boring if everyone played absolutely the same way.  So you should have an individual interpretation of the music you play.  Maybe try not to think of a teacher's comments as "criticism" but as offering a different point of view.  All opinions from educated, thoughtful persons have merit. 

You'd think in NYC that there would be someone who could teach you without stiffling you too much.  Just be open and honest and up front about what you want from the very beginning.  Really hope you find someone that works out.  Having the right teacher makes learning so very much more enjoyable!