After years of struggling alone, I found GREAT teacher!

[CJ Quinn]

Late in January through an extraordinary set of circumstances, I was referred to a piano teacher not very far from my home in Brooklyn, Earth.  I started playing as an adult, studied briefly with a teacher, then went on my own for more than 10 years.  Though I had some success teaching myself (all of the MP3s on my site now are of self-taught works) I long ago hit a brick wall in technical development (can;t play fast fingery stuff) and in motivation as well because I felt like was not progressing.  Indeed I definitely was not progressing.

Late in January Elena Hammel (EHPianist) heard some of my mp3s and suggested that I meet with a fellow NEC graduate friend of hers Rachel Jimenez, and sent me her site:

https://www.racheljimenez.com

I went there and heard her wonderful playing, and decided to contact her.  That same day we met up in her Park Slope studio, hit it off real well and I began lessons two days later.

In the first lesson it was immediately apparent to me that she was a good teacher.   Her suggestions were immediately helpful, and I ran out of that lesson with a list of things to work on.  I was motivated for the first time in a very long time.

In the 10 weeks or so since I began, I confronted many of my weaknesses with her, and she has helped me begin to conquer them.

For example, I;ve worked with a metronome successfully for the first time.  Successful in the sense that I can play through a piece in perfect time with the metronome.  Never was able to do that.  Still need tons of work, but I am on the way.

 Also, she wrote a very neat etude for me to work on 2 vs 3 and I finally got it after years of 'faking' it. 

This week I was finally able to play a Bach piece (WTC1 Prelude 3 c# maj) with fast fingering and make it sound musical.  This piece I struggled with for many months on my own and got no where, now it looks like I'll have it down in a couple more weeks.

Each lesson is a wonderment for me and I can;t believe I ever thought it was a good idea to teach myself.  I have recommended Rachel to two other friends who are now taking lessons with her as well, and share the same enthusiam, even though their skills are at a different level and their lessons taken on a different shape from mine.  Rachel customizes the approach for all students based upon what their individual goals are.

Within the few weeks I hope to record my first piece which she helped me with, I'll post a link to it when I do.

Anyone out there in NYC who is looking for a teacher should check her out, I can't praise her enough!

[Glissando]

Lucky man.

[CJ Quinn]

Lucky man.

Yes! Very lucky. 

[sharon_f]

I love your post.

I read so many messages on this and other forums, where people talk about not needing or wanting a teacher.  I wish they could all read what you've written, so they can understand how important a teacher is, not only to assist in the technical matters of playing, but also how they can motivate a student.

I am fortunate to have found a wonderful teacher, also. I have to drive almost an hour and a half (each way) to my lessons, but I can't imagine playing without the support and guidance she provides.

Thank you for your post.

[CJ Quinn]

I love your post.

I read so many messages on this and other forums, where people talk about not needing or wanting a teacher.  I wish they could all read what you've written, so they can understand how important a teacher is, not only to assist in the technical matters of playing, but also how they can motivate a student.

Thanks for the comments.  I don't think my language was strong enough in condemning the self-teach approach, I'm glad you zeroed in on that.  IT's just plain inefficient if nothing else.  Someone else who has been there can show you an easier more efficent way to learn something.

Also the motivational aspect was something I never thought about at all before I met Rachel.  I love music so much, why would I need anyone to motivate me? So I thought.  But Rachel has so motivated me in so many ways.  First she is a brilliant pianist, and to hear her play is just incredible for me.  Next, nothing motivates like success, and with her I've had lots of little successes and a couple of big ones (for me) which make me now want to play the piano more than ever.

So while for a while there I thought of myself as the poster boy for the self-taught, now I am of the opinion that I wasted a huge chunk of my life without a teacher.  But, I'll make it up!

[jon-nyc]

I also study with Rachel, whom I met through Chris.

Prior to that I was completely self taught.

I entirely agree with Chris' sentiments.  Having a great teacher motivates you and makes practicing much more efficient and enjoyable.  I leave each weekly session with a number of new things to think about, new musical thoughts or approaches for different passages, or a new tip for learning some technically complicated passage.

I'm a life-long autodidact and had been reasonably successful with that approach.  But it just doesn't compare to having a great teacher!

[CJ Quinn]

I'm a life-long autodidact and had been reasonably successful with that approach.  But it just doesn't compare to having a great teacher!

Haha, Bill Gates has been "reasonably successful " too.  Jon plays incredibly well folks.