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So, I recently quit my teacher. He was a lovely man and an excellent musician, but I quickly saw that he wasn't taking me seriously as an adult student. Granted, I wasn't practicing as I should have, but I had also laid out specifically what I wanted from the lessons and he didn't really pay that any mind and we just kind of frittered from piece to piece, nothing really being mastered. So, I wasn’t particularly motivated to give it my all. Since quitting, my efforts have redoubled and I’m much more encouraged in where I’m going.
My teacher before him was great when I started as a teenager, but when I came back as an adult it was clear that she really wasn't putting much effort into structuring my study. It's assumed that if you are an adult (and I'm only in my 20s) that you can't be serious about your playing. How frustrating!
So, in order to continue making progress but not waste money with teachers who won't take me seriously I'm going to be self-taught for a while--at least until I move and can find a young conservatory student to coach me who will hopefully have more of an open mind. Here is my plan of action:
Follow the RCM books in their entirety. This means the studies, workbooks, repertoire technique books, and ear training. I’ve started at a lower grade just so that I can make sure to cover everything. In my previous formal lessons (~4 years’ worth) I got up to books 5/6 in Alfred’s Basic Piano Course and had been doing scales, arpeggios, exercises, etc. I was complimented by my last teacher on my sense of rhythm, intuition for correct fingering and overall technique—so I feel like I have enough of the basics down to be able to move forward on my own without messing myself up.
After reading through some of the topics that came up using the search feature, it seems like the biggest issue with self-learners is spotty knowledge of essentials, basic gaps in knowlege. So it would seem that following a graded series would address that issue.
Thus far I’m really happy with how things are going. I feel like in following this I’ll genuinely cover everything I need to know. In transitioning from the Alfred method, I have a stronger sense of rhythm and fingering than is required at the elementary levels of RCM, but my reading skills are rather weak. Hopefully I’ll be able to come back with reports of great progress.
Last edited by nicolakirwan; 08/11/11 04:25 PM.
Burgeoning pianist
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Some people work better that way. But just because one teacher disappointed you, don't give up on all others. Work alone for a while but do consider a monthly lesson or something similar with a teacher. It's good to have someone hear and most importantly see how you are doing every once in a while. In any case it might be that you work really well alone and you don't need guidance anymore. Or maybe it's just a phase you are going to and you will need lessons further down the road. Only you can decide that!
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My only word of advice: are you accomplished enough to go on your own? That is my concern for you, since you are still very much a beginner; (judging from the fact that you are learning Alfred Bk. 5 and 6). Working alone is fine if you have reached a higher level of playing. In all honesty, I think you should find a teacher that will work well with you. Interview a few and perhaps, even take a few trial lessons. Best of luck!
JN
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My only word of advice: are you accomplished enough to go on your own? That is my concern for you, since you are still very much a beginner; (judging from the fact that you are learning Alfred Bk. 5 and 6). Working alone is fine if you have reached a higher level of playing. In all honesty, I think you should find a teacher that will work well with you. Interview a few and perhaps, even take a few trial lessons. Best of luck! Well, Alfred Bk 5/6 is better described as early intermediate rather than beginner. I wouldn't classify myself as a beginner as after 4 years of formal lessons one wouldn't be a beginner exactly--all the fundamentals have been solidly laid and I feel like I'm at the transition point leading to a higher level of study. I've played in other contexts outside of those lessons and have studied music in other contexts over several years. Perhaps that makes a difference. But your point is definitely well taken. Right now I feel like I'm getting more from the course of study that I've structured than I was getting from the lessons with either teacher. It could be a matter of finding the right instructor, though. I think more than anything else I'm irritated at the judgement that they make at the outset that you can't be a serious student because you're no longer a kid, so they don't really challenge you or expect real improvement. I find that quite bothersome.
Last edited by nicolakirwan; 08/11/11 12:54 PM.
Burgeoning pianist
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I think more than anything else I'm irritated at the judgement that they make at the outset that you can't be a serious student because you're no longer a kid, so they don't really challenge you or expect real improvement. I find that quite bothersome. Not all the teachers are like that. I was lucky enough that my first teacher took me seriously and later on thanks to her word other teachers took me seriously as well. It really is a matter of finding the right instructor. But also stating your goals and intentions clearly, several times if you have to. I wouldn't have worked even 1 year with your teacher if he was not treating you seriously. However, you did say you didn't practice as good as you wished so maybe you didn't show that you were serious enough in the first place? Words are good but it has to show in your playing too. A teacher can give you pointers but he cannot help you master a piece, this happens mostly at home in your own time. The teacher can only fix problems and guide you to help speed up the progress. Also since you are not a child no teacher can force you to learn a piece you don't want to learn or make you jump from piece to piece unless you agree to it.
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Perhaps "self-directed" would be a better approach. Sometimes I think *some* teachers have specific ways they prefer doing things and if you don't fit into that mold they don't adapt well. I found that when they learned I played for church they were more interested in focusing on that music (hymns and praise and worship) than classical--I think it provided them a break from the same repertoire.
Anyway! Some teacher searching may well be in order, but I kinda like my conservatory student idea. Someone who isn't dedicated to a certain way of teaching piano, but will go along with the structure I propose, provide feedback, and be there to play duets out of the improv book.
Burgeoning pianist
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Perhaps "self-directed" would be a better approach. Sometimes I think *some* teachers have specific ways they prefer doing things and if you don't fit into that mold they don't adapt well. I found that when they learned I played for church they were more interested in focusing on that music (hymns and praise and worship) than classical--I think it provided them a break from the same repertoire.
Anyway! Some teacher searching may well be in order, but I kinda like my conservatory student idea. Someone who isn't dedicated to a certain way of teaching piano, but will go along with the structure I propose, provide feedback, and be there to play duets out of the improv book.
I've had three teachers and from the very start I pointed out these very ideas before my first lesson with them and they were all responsive to teaching in this manner. I doubt you will have any problem finding a teacher who is open to this. Having said that, it does sound to me like you probably need a few months on your own investigating what direction you want to head.
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I myself have had issues finding a teacher who didn't insist on marching lockstep through her preferred method book series, and I'm not terribly fond of method book tunes. But I lacked the money to shop around, plus I have transportation issues, so my options were limited.
If you're planning on moving soon anyway, I can definitely see how it might not be worth searching around for the perfect teacher in the interim.
Please step aside. You're standing in your own way.
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