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Define it? Err, more everything! What I do is go in there go through exercises and scales and ram through pieces as fast as possible.

Yeah, you make a good point. That is may not necessarily help. I suppose once a week became the standard because that was what was most beneficial to most people. And sometimes I feel that way after my once a week lesson, like it was slow and unproductive, even unnecessary but that's not usually the case. When I'm practicing I often think things like "Wouldn't it be cool to do sight reading with her?" Or explore a new and unique piece with her and share my thoughts and get her opinion of the piece?" Or when we start a new piece and it's a new composer she can tell be all about that composer! Also if I had more time we would be able to thoroughly cover everything that I practice each week. It's like the best time and it's a pity it has to be squished in! But of course, I understand that she needs money! Erm, I think unfairness might also be a factor.

I guess I'm just thinking that I know teacher like that exist and...I think I should have one! I think...if they were as enthusiastic as me and they found that it was beneficial for me, which they probably would, than they would give the time. I'm not exactly thinking of it as free lessons just like that. Perhaps the willingness to do it if I proved myself because that way I know that I'm learning at the maximum speed that I can. So that means I'm not necessarily getting one free minute, but the time is not what is being focused on most.

As discussed in other threads, the OP needs to stay focused and has difficulty not getting distracted.

More teacher time to explore more directions is mostly likely counterproductive.

Some of my life is being distracted as a whole, not my playing. These days I play 5 hours regularly.

But why would they give you their time without pay? You obviously think you are doing the teacher a favor by being enthusiastic. What an ego.

Wanting more time means I have an ego? Didn't say they should or should not either, I'm just saying I want it, including any other involvement with music. I obviously also didn't say they would. Don't understand you.

I guess I might have an ego but your reasons for thinking so don't make complete sense.

Yeah.

So would you say it's nearly impossible to find such a person? I haven't thought any of this out very well to be honest but where I am coming from is several acquaintances of friends and such connections say that their teacher often keeps them for several hours at a time during the lesson or at least well over the hour. Otherwise when I read up biographies of my favorite musicians, I always see here and there that they seemed to see their teacher often and that there was something special about their teacher. It just didn't seem to be once a week and nothing else but then again I have not been playing very long. One of my college instructors was a musician and he says such teacher definitely exist but you have to look hard. I feel the same way based on the information I have but of course they are not very common. That doesn't mean that nothing but time counts and that I would instantly switch to ta teacher who gave more time just for the sake of free loading. They have to teach well too. Just my thoughts.

I think you should practice two hours less per day and use the time to clean houses. That way you will have more money to pay a piano teacher. Also, you will strengthen your hands. At the same time, the three hours in which you do practice will be more focused. You could also clean the house of the piano teacher and use the money to pay for more lessons.

It remains to be seen whether it is taken seriously by the OP.

Sorry I had to take off, just got home.

Is this going to end up like your last thread?

What ever happened with that teacher?

Yay!


I agree, and I usually attempt to do this.

Yes and we could also have a very productive lesson even if it was very long!


Most people, but there are still enough people who are just as talented and focused as you are. There are people in the middle too, and the compeition feels like it is just that fierce.
But of course you are right in saying that if you do not have the mind for it that you won't have a chance period, but it's not like that persons that rare either. You would say that all the people in the middle category won't make it perhaps? And that the kind that gets you successful is so rare that they will end up successful? I wonder how you determine whether you have that in yourself.

Maybe there's always something that someone missed.


Thank you. It doesn't feel that way to me though! I always feel like I am on the edge and will need a boost of some sort, something extra or I won't make it.


So in terms of piano playing you think that there is nothing ever stopping you? Because again, I am making a generalization but it seems that every single person who was famous, lived near a conservatory that had a good program, had musical parents, found a special teacher, etc. Because they say that the teacher is a big factor, and if that is the case than how can it not get in your way? Even if you try?
But also I think you have a great point, just because people are playing in more recitals doesn't mean they are better than me and if they are it doesn't mean that was for any specific reason aside from how we practiced, but it really seems that way.

No why?

I guess I was not very clear on the money part. All the money I use is my parents, it would be easy for me to persuade/manipulate them into letting me have two lessons a week with my teacher but I'm not willing to do that. There are also more efficient ways for me to accumulate money anyways, if your not kidding about the strengthening my hands part. :pp My parents would never allow me to enter the house of a stranger like that. I was offered a position as a tutor at my college. I think I'm looking for something else in this "dream teacher" I don't even want there to be structure somehow! But so in your opinion, practicing less and managing to get another few lessons will be beneficial? You support the idea of having more time? If I get the lessons won't I have to practice more?
I'd clean my teachers house though, she'd get a kick out of it.

I'm not exactly sure what you mean but I guess the answers no...unless you bring up the topic of the previous thread, which you just did.

Nothing happened with that teacher, I still see her every week.

I don't walk into a shop and ask to take something away for free. In the same way I wouldn't expect anyone to ask for my services without payment.

Even if you are passionate about the item?

If money isn't the issue, then manipulating a piano teacher to teach you for free is bizarre. No matter what kind of passion you have for it.

Here's my advice - stop wishing for something that hardly ever exists, and create some musical opportunities for yourself. Of course it's great to connect musically with your teacher, but there are lots of other people you can connect with as well.

Here are some ideas you could explore:
1. Find a duet partner - or two, or three. Sight read duets together, and pick some more difficult ones that will take more practice.
2. Organize some concerts yourself - at homes for senior citizens, libraries, etc. Your teacher could probably help you find some other students to perform, and would be grateful that you organized it.
3. Look for someone that you could accompany - perhaps a friend plays a different instrument and needs an accompanist?
4. If you go to church, volunteer to play the piano at services.
5. Volunteer to play for the choir at your current school or at an elementary school.
6. Form a band with some friends - you play the keyboard parts.
7. Play percussion for a community band - if you can read music and are willing to try different percussion instruments, it could work out.
8. Take a music theory, or music history course.

Most of my suggestions require a certain level of skill on the piano - if you are practicing 4-5 hours per day, I assume you are close to that level.

You can have fun with music in so many ways - don't depend on your teacher to do all the work.

Indeed, even if I am passionate. I have been disrespected and short changed by people who consider themselves decent and would be very upset if one day their boss just decided to omit paying them. Why? Because I am a soft target.

I also do voluntary work - voluntarily - for no money. This is also fine. But I don't do voluntary piano teaching.