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Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 11
Junior Member
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OP
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 11 |
I have been playing the clarinet for years. About six months ago, I picked up a keyboard to learn composition. Now I want to switch to piano.
I can read music (bass and treble); I can play scales and chords (both hands) in all 12 keys.
I have a solid understanding of 3rd, 5ths, 7ths, tritones, chord qualities (major, minor, augmented, diminished, half-diminished, and dominant).
I'm almost finished with Bastien Adult Beginner, and I'm planning to study Alfred's Adult Beginner.
I'm learning to play Beethoven's Op 27 No. 2 mvt 1.
How can I determine what level of teacher I should seek based on my abilities?
Thanks
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Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 553
500 Post Club Member
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500 Post Club Member
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 553 |
I would say it depends on what type of music you want to play more than your level. If you wa t to play more popular music using lead sheets, your knowledge of chords will be helpful. If you want to play classical, you will need a classically trained teacher.
There are not too many teachers who do both although mine does. He was classically grained from 6 through college. During college, he also started playing in bands that did classic rock and jazz. When we are not in the midst of a pandemic, he does a lot of accompanying for musicals and plays in a group that writes their own music.
Adults can play whatever type of music they prefer. I do classical. The kids have to do some classical . One of his students has gotten the highest marks possible during evaluations at a local college (not this year of course since it was not held He played Chopin and a jazz piece. This kid loves jazz and rags. He is so talented that he may make music a career so I think it is good he does both.
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Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 2,339
2000 Post Club Member
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2000 Post Club Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 2,339 |
I'm with zillybug. It's not the level of teacher you seek, Marty, but a teacher you are comfortable with. Interview and maybe take a trial lesson with each of several potential teachers, if you're game. If I have a bias, it's in favor of a teacher who already has some track record in teaching adult early-level piano students. Many piano teachers - both new and veteran - shy away from adult learners, though they probably won't admit it.
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Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 1,424
1000 Post Club Member
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1000 Post Club Member
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 1,424 |
There are different schools of piano playing, French, German, Russian, that all teach and play in a bit different way. I have ended up with a teacher who teaches according to the Russian school, and I am so, so happy about this, because I think their way of teaching technique is the best. So this is something you may wish to consider when finding a teacher.
Not what you asked, but because you say that you're learning to play Beethoven's Op 27 No. 2 mvt 1, I would reconsider Alfred's book. If you are interested in playing classical music, Alfred's may not be the best, because they teach a lot of chord piano - in which the left hand plays chords and the right hand plays the melody. Piano Adventures or Schaum Piano Method might suit you better, or, if you don't care about not getting an adult book, Piano Safari.
Playing the piano is learning to create, playfully and deeply seriously, our own music in the world. * ... feeling like the pianist on the Titanic ...
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