Hi Michael,
I really believe the issue is mine, not my teacher's. On good days, I agree with Bronnestam that she would not be looking at every nuance unless there was promise. I come home from lessons,often discouraged, but at the same time, with so much to think about. She is doing what I want and need, but it is difficult for me to retain optimism and confidence, as I have lost a lot in these many years. During bad intervals, it feels hopeless. Everyday as I practice, I try to remind myself of how far I have come in the last year, and not worry about where I can get. It is tough, but I am working hard at maintaining focus, rather than dwelling on the loss. I have bought a sign for above my piano: "I never said it would be easy. I said it would be worth it." I am keeping Bronnestam's note, as it was very motivational and does help me keep going. One day at a time is tough.
I, too, came back to piano in my 50's. My first step was to find the best technique person I could find as a coach, not a teacher. People our age don't need teachers, they need coaches.
Secondly, after my coach (who taught me a lot) unceremoniously dumped me, then I decided to contact an author of a book he recommended on technique. And, that was Dr. Thomas Mark, who is the author of the acclaimed (and widely department chair owned) book, "What Every Pianist Needs To Know About The Body."
Subsequently, I flew five hours each way to his studio in Portland, Oregon, to take a five hour lesson. After that, he coached me by distance learning for a few years until I flew back for another two hour lesson. He really is that good.
Specific to your post, he instilled in me the following causal logic: if after working on a section of a piece for just two days, if it isn't getting any better, then you stop, tear it down, and re-address the problem. Playing it over and over again is just going to jam your brain up with negativity, especially in terms of confidence.
The point is that what this did for me is that I cannot get down on myself when a piece does not progress like I want it to.
Secondly, if you want to take your playing to the next level, his second real book (his first is more like a very helpful somewhat technical reference workbook) is "Motion, Emotion, and Love," (
www.pianomaop.com.) In this tomb, written by a man who has three degrees in philosophy from Columbia University, he fully addresses the matter of "Self," as it relates to the piano.
Good luck to you, and you may contact me by personal message if you have any further questions.
Topic: How to balance improvement with self-confidence?