When picking a teacher, is it okay to ask them to play for you?

[dima_76557]

Here music stores do not arrange classes at all.

Even if they don't organize classes, they may have lists of piano teachers, though, even of those teachers who don't advertise, who are not officially listed in the general directories, and who don't work in the official institutions. Either the piano teacher him/herself or his/her students *must* be regular clients in such stores somehow, if only to buy new music scores, books, instruments, etc. Depending on the type of store, the managers and sales assistants tend to talk to their clients, ask questions. Teachers and their students often get discounts, etc.
PS.: Your piano technician/tuner may also have a very good teacher among his/her clients.

[j_menz]

Either the piano teacher him/herself or his/her students *must* be regular clients in such stores somehow, if only to buy new music scores

Given the oft displayed tastes around here, I fear they needn't have been in one since well before the second world war - and all too often the first.

[dima_76557]

Given the oft displayed tastes around here, I fear they needn't have been in one since well before the second world war - and all too often the first.

Even in that case, the younger generation of students may confirm that "old age hath yet his honour and his toil."

[j_menz]

Even in that case, the younger generation of students may confirm that "old age hath yet his honour and his toil."

If they're lucky..

Tho' much is taken, much abides; and tho'
We are not now that strength which in old days
Moved heaven and earth; that which we are, we are;
One equal temper of heroic hearts,
Made weak by time and fate, but strong in will
To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.

They may just find the "strong in will.... and not to yield".

[outin]

PS.: Your piano technician/tuner may also have a very good teacher among his/her clients.

A good tip, although beginners often have no tuner either yet...
My colleague got a used piano and didn't get it tuned even once (and played and had lessons for about 4 years). She only did it after I told her how horrible her piano sounds...

[dima_76557]

She only did it after I told her how horrible her piano sounds...

Wow! You must have told her that with real authority because the habits of some are hard to break! If you care for people, have a well-built hand arch, spatulate fingers from pressing keys a lot, a spiritual look about your face, and your eyes start glowing whenever people talk about piano playing and or music in general, you may very well become a good teacher yourself some day...

[outin]

Wow! You must have told her that with real authority because the habits of some are hard to break! If you care for people, have a well-built hand arch, spatulate fingers from pressing keys a lot, a spiritual look about your face, and your eyes start glowing whenever people talk about piano playing and or music in general, you may very well become a good teacher yourself some day...

No...I absolutely do not have enough patience for teaching