Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Adult Beginners Forum The best way to find a teacher?

What's the best way to find a teacher for an adult beginner? I took lessons when I was a kid, but I don't think the lessons "took." I'm 33 now and want to be able to get back to the piano.

I know most teachers seem to only teach children. Is there a way to find teachers that would consider taking on an adult learner?

If you know anyone else who plays, ask them. That's the best way, but not possible for many of us who don't yet know other players.

Try asking at local music stores. They often can make recommendations.

Otherwise, either search google (sometimes teachers have websites that mention adults), or be prepared to make many phone calls.

I think you'll find most teachers are willing to teach adults, but they may not have much experience in it. You just need to talk to some and see who you are comfortable with.

I'll second this request.
I'd like to find an informal teacher or a coach. I'm not looking for formal lessons, per se.

Word of mouth recommendations would seem to be the best source, but that doesn't work if I don't know other musicians or belong to a club of some sort.

Just taking a blind chance on someone based on his/her newspaper ad or posting on a bulletin board appears troublesome.

Roy

I found a teacher by doing a google search. I found a teacher with a website which described her approach and presented her resume and student testimonials. I was particularly intersted in finding a teacher who was also an occasional performer. I also wanted someone who had a high level of musical training

I felt that such a person would be more empathetic towards students as she faced the pressures of performing and would be able to present more practical learning and playing approaches. I managed to find someone five minutes from my home and came up with a very flexible arrangement.

I can call her every few weeks and have a one hour lesson. We are flexible on time and both of us are happy with the arrangement.

Check this out: http://www.mtna.org/ Follow the link on the left side of the page. This is how I found my wonderful new teacher.

To be more specific about my Google searh, I entered "piano teacher", my city, and a couple of major nearby streets. I found half a dozen teachers within a two mile radius.

Craigslist has many ads for various music teachers in their "services offered > lessons & tutoring" section. For example, here is a search for "piano" in the Raleigh area.

http://raleigh.craigslist.org/search/lss?query=piano&catAbbreviation=lss

Do any of your friends' kids take piano lessons? You can ask their teachers to recommend someone who teaches adults.

My piano teacher was recommended by the piano tuner. The tuner in turn was recommended by a friend of mine who has a piano.

Word of mouth seems more reliable than Craigslist. Craigslist is a little scary.

This is how I found two of my piano teachers. Music stores often have a pretty good list of teachers in the area and may even be able to make a recommendation on what age students the instructors are accepting.

You can get a lot of good information on the Piano Teachers Forum.
Check out the post "Looking for a Teacher" on page 7 (last post 11-1-09).
From that forum I found a few questions that I wouldn't have otherwise thought to ask. Like; What is your policy for student sick days and what is your policy for teacher sick days?
Julius

That's how I feel about it. I am glad for all the advice in this thread though, checking in with the store for referrals.

KnightPlayer thanks for the link to the Looking for a Teacher thread, which has some great ideas to consider when talking to potential instructors.

Google:

piano teacher

Music service directories: insert piano/zip code at the following services which piano teachers have listed themselves on.

www.learningmusician.com
www.getlessonsnow

Music stores do not always have experienced teachers - you can read some of the posts in the piano teachers forum that have disclosed the many "teachers" who have no experience at teaching but are employed (cheaply) by the owners of there places.

If the music teachers at the music stores are music specialists in the local school systems or members of MTNA (Music Teachers National Association) you have a better quality of piano teacher available.

Ask questions of the potential teacher that are more encompassing than: How much do you charge? and Where are you located?

Many starting teachers without the experience and preparation to become a teacher have entered teaching because it provides a higher income than minimum wage jobs in this world's economy.

There are talented people available with track records who have room in their music studios for you. Seek them out.

Betty Patnude

I think friends is the best teacher, friends can teacher and fun together.

Just another angle, if the good teachers with good reputations are chock-a-block full (and they often are!) you might find a good match in a young teacher who is quite new to teaching. They may find it very interesting to teach an adult, and if they have only a few students you may get a bit more attention and personal connection.

Many tertiary music students begin to test the water with some private teaching. They are still learning themselves and in a very exciting phase of their own development - this vitality can add something to your lessons, And you can go to their recitals Some are keener than others so you'll have to judge that.

The first teacher I had as an adult restarter was a young uni student majoring in piano. He loved piano and teaching, it was so exciting for me Changed my life it did. Hope you find the right one!