leaving

[sharonlovespiano]

I have a very big dilemma!
I study in Tilburg (Holland) for nearly 4 years. I have the need to something new, new people, new environment, new ideas, so another teacher. Another teacher means another conservatory. I don't have this feeling for nothing I think..
Does anyone have such an expierience with leaving a very nice and good teacher? I think it's very hard to leave my teacher, I had such a nice contact, and he was very good for me..
Is it ok too that you change after 4 years with one teacher?
I hope anyone has an answer..
Thanks!

Sharon

[dj]

I had the same piano teacher for nearly ten years when i started playing....eventually it was time to move on to more advanced learning, but when that time came, it was actually my teacher that recomended it. If your current teacher is truly as nice as you make him out to be, he will probably have your best interests in mind and should be willing to let you go to a new teacher if there is really a need to do so. It certainly isn't wrong to move on after four years of learning under one person. Any time you are learning, there should be a desire to excel, and often times this requires advancement in education...just make sure there is really nothing more you can learn from your teacher before you discard what seems to be a great student/teacher relationship! best of luck

dj

[will]

Does anyone have such an expierience with leaving a very nice and good teacher?

Yes, then I had a not so nice but still good teacher. Then a few years later I changed teachers again to a very nice and excellent teacher.

Is it ok too that you change after 4 years with one teacher?

Definitely.  You said you wanted 'new ideas' and hopefully this is what a new teacher can give you.  Staying too long with one teacher can be detrimental, especially when you start accurately predicting what their ideas and suggestions will be. It is good to get new ideas, or to approach things from a different angle.

Good Luck. Will.

[Brian Healey]

I've had a number of outstanding teachers that I've left for one reason or another, usually because I moved to a new location. Actually, I shouldn't say "a number," as it hasn't been THAT many. But with every new teacher comes a new musical perspective and a new way to approach the piano. I don't like to constantly switch teachers, but I also find it refreshing to get new advice on how to improve. Finding a piano teacher is like getting married  . It's exciting at first, but the more you get used to each other, the more you end up "going through the motions." Sometimes that isn't the case, but I think it's best sometimes to avoid becoming too comfortable. I've learned very special things from every teacher I've had.  I wouldn't have had that experience if I had stayed with the same teacher the whole time. A good student/teacher relationship is a great thing, but the minute you start thinking that it's time to move on, then that may be a good sign that it is.

It sounds like you're feeling the urge to go out and see the world, or change scenes. I say go with whatever your heart desires. There are great piano teachers everywhere, so I wouldn't worry about that. And if all else fails, your old teacher will still be there.

Peace,
Bri

oops, Will posted while I was typing. What he said 

[anda]

i changed my piano teacher at least once a year before going to conservatory - if you're smart and can discriminate, you can learn something from anyone. just  make sure you know what to learn and what to ignore.

best luck

[sharonlovespiano]

Maybe isn't a good idea to go to another teacher next (school)year. I realise that my teacher is so special for me, I never had such a feeling with a teacher. Now I got this feeling when I said that I'd like to go to someone else..
Maybe I should taking lessons with different teachers this year? Then I stay with my current teacher one year.. Is that too long?