Should a student undertake a side project?

[geopianoincanada]

I’m soon entering my 5th year as a mature student.

Two opportunities have presented themselves to me, one as a piano teacher to two young children. My teacher has encouraged me to give this a try and so far it has been very encouraging!

I’ve also been approached to consider participation in an adult contemporary music recording project by another musician (think Frank Sinatra era music which I do enjoy).

I’m by no means at professional grade, my teacher rates me to date RCM grade 5 technique and grade 4 to 5 repertoire.

I’m concerned about having too many distractions away from classical piano studies especially with my main task being a caregiver.

What are your thoughts?

Thanks.

[ego0720]

Both opportunities sound complementary. While I was practicing non-piano activities, it was required to teach while personally advancing. Teaching was a way to help myself. Teaching is part of self discovery. Every artist should have the experience of teaching what they know to others. If anything for themselves.

If you can manage both in I think it will be part of the greater whole so as long as u can manage the time. I don't see them as conflict of interest (quite contrary). Unless u have kids.. there should be time for everything if well managed. What I don't know is how much of your time is into your role as a caregiver.

One question u should ask is where will piano studies likely take u? Where does it lead once u are done as a student?  Most ppl study with little thought to the path. Sometimes predicting or .. even a vague idea where that path may go helps with decision-making for the long run.

[lelle]

Sorry for such a boring reply but why not?

Worst case scenario if it doesn't work out, you can stop and go back to your old schedule, and your life will be one new experience richer all the same.

[geopianoincanada]

ego0720 - When I began piano study 5 years ago it was an effort to pick up where I left off from piano lessons I started in 2003 thereabouts but couldn’t afford to continue.

Restarting in 2017/18 was initiated by musical volunteer work at a local hospital where pianos are donated to be played for the patients.

Since those days my interest has expanded. I’ve long outgrown those old days when I longed to be on stage (I was a moonlighting bassist back then). Today my interest is much more for in-studio work to participate and share with others and not be in any spotlight.

I have noticed that I see a lot of my own learning difficulties and challenges reflected in the two students I presently have, 11 and 6 years old. Especially the 11 year old. Helping guide these young children seems to be very helpful to me as a continuing student.

As far as considering myself to be no more of a student or at some stage of completion, I learned long ago in electronics (my old day profession) that learning never ceases, that one is always a student. I hope to keep learning in piano for as long as I live.l even to be able to teach and share because it is joyful.

[quantum]

As far as considering myself to be no more of a student or at some stage of completion, I learned long ago in electronics (my old day profession) that learning never ceases, that one is always a student. I hope to keep learning in piano for as long as I live.l even to be able to teach and share because it is joyful.

In this regard, you are well equipped to start passing your piano knowledge onto others.  You have a very good mindset for learning, and this will only help you in teaching.  There are many "professional" piano teachers I have met where the idea of continual life long learning is not even on the radar, to them learning only happens in the classroom, and once one is out of school, that person relieves themselves of their responsibility to continually update their state of knowledge. They have convinced themselves that they can't learn without a teacher or classroom setting.  These people can breed a culture of dependence on the teacher, so the student feels the need to always run to the teacher for every small problem they encounter.  A much heather approach would present the student with manageable hurdles, which they can successfully struggle through and work out on their own. 

Teaching is a form of learning, so the teacher will also be moving forward in their own musical journey.  If you can effectively teach a concept to another person, it means you have reached a point of understanding of that concept on your own part. 

[ego0720]

It sounds like you have a lot to offer in passing down to younger generations from your experience and maybe help them benefit without going through it.  It feels like teaching is something that you have energy for.  And your path is to help others.  I can respect that.  Doing both I think will be complementary because as a "teacher" students will still look up to you if you can play for them too.  However the limitation of time is yours to mull over. I think you should do both with emphasis on teaching experience.  Some are great teachers, others great players, and few are both.   If you can be both.. its added strength. 

I agree that we are all students in one way or another and it will always be part of our identity (in this reality).  The day we stop growing is the day we should quit.  Any hobby is a forever hobby.  How we take and add to the field is a bidirectional relationship.