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With my new teacher I'm doing 6 lessons a month. Every Tuesday is dedicated to piano work and maybe a little theory if a questions comes up. My other two lessons are every other Friday which is 100% dedicated to theory. I'm reading the assigned theory chapters from my teacher and doing the works sheets. I find I learn it well with the books and some additional research. However, going over it with a dedicated lesson seems to help reinforce it and make sure I understood it or to ask questions, etc.

My question, in your opinion is that a good use 2 lessons each month?

It seems like it is because learning theory is important and my last teacher didn't teach me any. I have a basic theory foundation from my own learning. The reason I ask is because I'm a tiny bit torn as lessons are costly and I find I can learn a lot of it on my own time away from lessons. Just looking for some opinions and thoughts.

Thanks in advanced!

I do know a friend who recently completed her ARCT (Toronto) performance diploma and who studied both piano and theory with the teacher we both enjoy. Because she was preparing for a performance diploma, her piano and theory lessons were each once a week.

I think it is up to you and your teacher to decide how much theory and how frequent the lessons would seem appropriate for you, for what you feel you hope to accomplish and for what your personal budget can handle.

Regards,

How about order of lessons: 1 theory lesson and 2 practice lessons?
Unlike classical pianists, who are obliged to play the written exactly, without going into the question of why it is written this way; the student of pop piano does not have this privilege: together with the melody and chords, he imperceptibly delves into the area of ​​piano arrangement. And here the pianist should know - why?
For example, “Pop Ballad Pattern” on page 77 already raises a number of questions: where did the bass pattern come from; why it is split in the first half of the bar and not in the second; why the patterns in the right hand start from the thirds or fourths and go down to one note ; but on the contrary practically do not occur? These questions no longer have any connection with the classical piano, but are related to the field of bass guitar, strumming rhythm guitar as well as drums. Here's a pinch of pop piano theory.

Sebs
Why don’t you start out with that plan and see what works? You can always adjust. Sounds good to me on paper.

FWIW As a kid, I started out with just repertoire ( and all that implies for a beginning student) and then at some point, added a second weekly lesson that was theory, ear training and duets. I was studying classical.

How good are you self learning? I decided in 2020 I needed to buckle down with theory...so I do my own reading, use 10 minutes in class to go over with questions. I am also sitting abrsm online theory exams starting in 2021 once they roll it worldwide. Whilst I don’t want more exams in my life, it’s the only way to keep me focused.

What are your goals? Why are you studying theory? Once you kinda know..the path will reveal itself. Learning without application won’t motivate you. Your teacher should be giving you guidance.

IMHO if you’re a good self learner then spending much lesson time on theory is wasting valuable time that you could be spending on practical playing.

Personally I only ever ask my teacher about theory quirks that might come up in the piece I’m studying.

We’re incredibly lucky compared to people that were learning 30 years ago. There’s almost infinite online theory resources free and searchable at your fingertips. No excuse not to take advantage of them really.

For a couple of years I was doing theory with my teacher. We increased the lesson time to
1 1/2 hours from an hour . I think I was lucky as I expected to pay half the lesson time for the extra half hour but he only charged $10 more. My teacher really likes theory and was happy to have a student who wanted to learn it.

I don't know where you are in your theory studies, but I've watched several of Christopher Brellochs theory lessons on youTube. He is teaching a college class in these lessons, but students don't ask questions. The first lesson is called (Circle of 5ths, Scales) and here is the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ICDPWP6HUbk