Possibly Switching Teachers? (Advice Requested)

[yaykat]

Hello,

I had posted this in the student section, but received no responses and it may get more traction here anyway...

Preface I'm an adult student who has been playing about two years but grew up singing so I had already developed pitch and ability to read music, etc.

I've been working with a teacher for about two years now (from a beginner to early intermediate, playing pieces like Von Fremden und Menschen, To a Wild Rose, and the Chopin B-Minor Prelude (a "reach piece") to give an example of my current skill level).

Now, my current teacher I get along with great, but we've only ever done Zoom lessons (we had initially started during Covid, and I took a couple years off for school), and we're going to start doing in-person at my request after starting lessons again a month or so ago. One thing that has bothered me somewhat is I don't feel she has made commentary on my posture or technique throughout. I think at face value via Zoom, it looks fine enough, but I'll be curious to see what she may say in-person.

On a whim, I did a consult with a (possible new) teacher, who has "more credentials" (is a Dr. of Music) and her dissertation was on proper piano posture and mechanics/technique. When I had my consult, she immediately had changes to my posture and made changes to how I was sitting and how my weight was balanced/etc. It was eye opening to say the least.

I also had reached out to another teacher that I will be meeting next week for a lesson, and she had trained in the Taubmann technique which is intriguing to me (she's also a Dr. of Music). So...again will possibly have more to consider after meeting her.

My question is how I should best proceed? Obviously, I've had growth with my current teacher, but I haven't really received technical/mechanical advice. I want to become a good pianist, I want to continue taking on more difficult pieces, but I'm wondering if my current teacher is holding me back (despite how much I do like her). However, with my current teacher, we're really just working through pieces one at a time, but not really doing any technical drills, or technique related things.

In addition, the cost of lessons is about double with this new possible teacher(s).

Am I proceeding in the right way of demoing new teachers? Should there be certain things I should be asking of my current (and possibly new teachers)? I've expressed I am motivated to grow, I just require a little more structure and goals in order to stay on track.

Any advice appreciated!

Thanks!

[ranjit]

Ultimately, you are the one paying for lessons and it's your decision. If you want to focus on improving technique, you'll want to find a teacher who focuses on that (probably more expensive, may be less enjoyable and more effort), and vice versa. We don't have much knowledge about your goals or the specific teachers in question, so it's hard to answer.

[yaykat]

Ultimately, you are the one paying for lessons and it's your decision. If you want to focus on improving technique, you'll want to find a teacher who focuses on that (probably more expensive, may be less enjoyable and more effort), and vice versa. We don't have much knowledge about your goals or the specific teachers in question, so it's hard to answer.

Appreciate the response nonetheless.

I think ultimately, I'd like to make this a lifetime pursuit. I think it would be enjoyable to one day teach piano when I obtain enough knowledge and skill. My favorite composers gravitate to Chopin, Schumann (Clara and Robert), Debussy, etc.

I work fulltime and know that I'll never be a concert pianist, but I'd like to be adept and knowledgeable about the piano. I'm willing to put in the dedication, I just need a little more guidance as to how to best structure my time/technique/practices to do so....

If that adds any additional intel to the topic...

[lelle]

Appreciate the response nonetheless.

I think ultimately, I'd like to make this a lifetime pursuit. I think it would be enjoyable to one day teach piano when I obtain enough knowledge and skill. My favorite composers gravitate to Chopin, Schumann (Clara and Robert), Debussy, etc.

I work fulltime and know that I'll never be a concert pianist, but I'd like to be adept and knowledgeable about the piano. I'm willing to put in the dedication, I just need a little more guidance as to how to best structure my time/technique/practices to do so....

If that adds any additional intel to the topic...

I mean, if you feel your current teacher doesn't help you walk the path towards those goals, you know what to do.

If you want to reach a high proficiency in playing and guide other people further down the line, you need technical instruction and you need to know what you are doing, as well as how to teach that to others.

[jonathannyc]

Hello Yaykat,

If you want technical exercises, have you consulted with your current teacher about that? What did they suggest? Some pianists assert the value of exercises (Rachmaninoff), and others insist on only using repertoire to build technique (Van Cliburn). There is much worth discussing regarding technique and posture, and there is more than one informed perspective.  Any teacher can throw exercises at you, but each exercise should serve to build some aspect of technique, and not just be a treadmill.

By the tone of your initial post, it seems you are set to change teachers. Then do so. But, it would serve your development to read extensively and not depend on any one pianist teacher's opinions. And toward that development, I would suggest these books: 

Fanny Waterman, "On Piano Teaching and Performance."
Barry Wehrli, "Piano Practice and Performance."
Boris Berman, "Notes from the Pianist's Bench."
Joseph Lhevinne, "Basic Principles in Pianoforte Playing."

Each author has their particular perspective, and the differences and contrasts between them are valuable toward your formation of a broader picture of what it means to be a pianist. I could recommend several dozen books, but these four authors were/are on top of their game.

Best regards.
_______________________
https://www.bakerpianolessons.com/

[yaykat]

Hello Yaykat,

If you want technical exercises, have you consulted with your current teacher about that? What did they suggest? Some pianists assert the value of exercises (Rachmaninoff), and others insist on only using repertoire to build technique (Van Cliburn). There is much worth discussing regarding technique and posture, and there is more than one informed perspective.  Any teacher can throw exercises at you, but each exercise should serve to build some aspect of technique, and not just be a treadmill.

By the tone of your initial post, it seems you are set to change teachers. Then do so. But, it would serve your development to read extensively and not depend on any one pianist teacher's opinions. And toward that development, I would suggest these books: 

Fanny Waterman, "On Piano Teaching and Performance."
Barry Wehrli, "Piano Practice and Performance."
Boris Berman, "Notes from the Pianist's Bench."
Joseph Lhevinne, "Basic Principles in Pianoforte Playing."

Each author has their particular perspective, and the differences and contrasts between them are valuable toward your formation of a broader picture of what it means to be a pianist. I could recommend several dozen books, but these four authors were/are on top of their game.

Best regards.
_______________________
https://www.bakerpianolessons.com/

I'm honestly not concretely set after a few lessons with the possible new teacher. I just don't feel a connection with her, and I love the energy I share with my current teacher. I've been vocalizing better about what I would like, and my goals and I've noticed a change in the direction of the lessons which I appreciate.

I had an initial consult with another teacher who I liked better than the other one initially mentioned. She was very hands on, high energy and gave good advice. I'm now very torn between my current teacher and this new one. The initial one, while talented, I just don't think the chemistry is there....

I think you raise a good point in that there isn't a universal way to piano pedagogy, and what may work for one may be a hinderance to another. I ordered the book by Fanny you had recommended. Thank you for the list!