At what point do you stop taking lessons?

[maplecleff1215]

Not as in quitting piano. You can take lessons for a long time, but I don't know how many people (if even any) take lessons their whole life. So I've wondered, at what point, assuming you've studied with many different teachers over the years, do you stop taking lessons and continue to learn and play on your own (even as a serious hobbyist)?

[visitor]

i guess you stop at the point you feel you don't need them, can not afford them, or don't want them.
me as 'non pro'/serious hobbyist (that is , i reach for high standard but my career field/day work is non music related) i know i have lots of goals tech and interpretation wise i need/want to reach, and i need guidance/coaching, so i'm still taking them despite lessons in childhood, then music school/piano , then a few years off after graduating, then picked them up again for a few years of post bach non degree advanced study at a school/college again, then a few years off, then connected with an artist for ongoing advanced [private studio] coaching/lessons again (and I would have been dumb not to take the chance, my teacher studied for over a decade with w a certain important pianist/teacher,  and that pianist's teacher was a pupil of Neuhaus, so there is a great lineage and lots of gems /wisdom i am doing by best to grasp as much as i can for as long as i'm able). i would be crazy not to take lessons now given a once in a lifetime chance i recognized and seized.

so in addition to above w needing/wanting them, i keep my options to lessons open at all times so if/when an opportunity like my current situation comes up, i recognize it and jump on it.

[mike_lang]

In my case, once it became both too difficult to schedule them and too expensive . . .

[adodd81802]

I actually, as an adult hobbyist myself, do the opposite.

I only use a teacher when there's something I can't fix myself. If I can play a piece and i'm satisfied with it, I'm not going to use a teacher.

If there's something I can't fix or a wall I hit, I review for a while, and then consider a teacher to fix the problem. Many teachers now days are quite flexible in lessons and frequency that they offer.

[dogperson]

I am an adult hobbist, who restarted playing three years ago;  the last two of those years with an excellent teacher.  In the last two years, I have increased the frequency of lessons:   weekly lessons of 1.5 hours with my primary teacher,  Dalcroze lessons twice per month, adult summer piano camp, occassional lessons from others.

When will I quit?   When i can hear/identify/find the corrective action as quickly and well as these instructors do.....................   I don't see this happening anytime soon.  So barring needing to make a decision of food vs. piano lessons, I will continue with the lessons.

[visitor]

Needing to make a decision of food vs. piano lessons, I will continue with the lessons.

The struggle is real! Lel 

[adodd81802]

The struggle is real! Lel 

Just a bit, UK prices average around £30 per 45 min-1 hour.

WHY OH WHY DID I PICK SUCH AN EXPENSIVE HOBBY

[dogperson]

Just a bit, UK prices average around £30 per 45 min-1 hour.

WHY OH WHY DID I PICK SUCH AN EXPENSIVE HOBBY

Hmph....  I wish I  were only paying the US dollar equivalent of the UK prices.  Ours are much more expensive.

But really compared to other hobbies, is it that exhorbitant?    Want to play golf instead: Check out golf clubs, and carts, and caddies and green fees!   AND a lot of hobbies only get you time at the hobby when you pay for  it......  learning piano gets you hours of enjoyment outside of lessons

(At least that is my fiscal justification, and I am sticking to it!   PLEASE don't let me know about the fallacy of my reasoning  )