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Every week I go there and I have trouble playing it because it barely sounds like a piano. It's bright and tinny and cheap sounding. When I hit a key and the sound hits my ear, I don't associate it with a familiar sound so I make mistakes I don't make at home on my Yamaha U3. I also have a keyboard and I'm wondering if I should be practicing on that. That's how desperate I am. She's a fantastic teacher and a virtuoso so I really don't want to switch teachers. She lives in one of the biggest houses I've ever seen so I kind of assume that she can afford something better. She tells me she only paid $500 for it. Any suggestions? Brian

Well, then the only option is just to mention it. I really don't think it'll offend them, especially if what you're saying that she's a great teacher/virtuoso, it's more than likely she knows that too.

If a piano teacher has a phone that costs more than their piano, they’re doing it wrong...

Hi Brian
A lot of sympathy! While I think you should talk to her, I would Recommend that you tread carefully. I’m sure , since she plays that well, she knows her piano is a piece of junk, but I doubt she can afford any better. You are making an assumption that because she lives in a big house, she has income that will allow her to buy something better. I am doubtful,

Just tell her you are having problems playing on her piano and ask for her advice; maybe suggest bringing your digital to lessons?

I’m afraid you will not get her to upgrade, regardless of the reason.

Something is wrong with that picture if she is a legitimate teacher. There are teachers and there are real piano teachers with a passion to teach doing it on a decent instrument. It is important to play on an instrument that is at pitch or reasonably close to pitch, has a pleasant tone, reasonable touch etc. Also important is the need for the instrument to have pedals that work properly and hammers that are not deeply grooved and/or flattened on the strike point. How often has the piano been tuned ? do the unisons sound as one and how do octaves sound. She may be able to make a $500 piano sound good but its unfair to teach students on a poor instrument since they are learning ear training, how a properly tuned piano should sound. It may be time to interview another teacher. BTW what brand of piano and what size is it spinet / console ? studio ?

Perhaps it's a ploy on her part to get you to use everything in your power to make her awful piano sound good?

As a student, I went for a time to one of the 'big/famous' teachers (long dead) in London - who charged a fortune for lessons. She had the most DREADFUL piano - bits of key top missing, loose pedals, dreadful regulation, broken strings. I remember being stumped as to why she taught on such a nasty instrument - although I never asked.

Anyway, she was over-rated, and a really sour old bag - so I didn't stay with her for long in any case

LOl this is funny. Contrast this to the thread with the person whose teacher insisted they buy a Steinway or they wouldn’t teach them anymore!

Maybe you can take your teacher shopping . Just kidding I don’t have an answer but it certainly is a twist.

It's not your place to criticize her piano. She'll be offended and you'll no longer get her best teaching. Just put up with it, unless you want to put your money where your mouth is and actually buy her a better replacement piano.

That would still offend her, but she might accept the gift nonetheless.

Make her come to your place or switch teachers.

+1

you might have to pay her extra for lessons to cover the commuting time and vehicle use (bicycling distance would be ideal, because it seems your teacher isn't flush with €), but taking lessons on your piano appears to be the easiest solution.

She may very well be highly offended, or tell you that you don't know what you're talking about. If you tell her that her piano is junk, she might assume you think that she doesn't know how to choose a piano, or that you know more about what makes a good instrument than she does. Many fine old pianos have changed hands for $500 or less.

Tell her there are some really interesting threads on Pianoworld's Piano Forum right now.

Is she teachng you classical music interpretation, or is she teaching you jazz interpretation?

It makes a difference, and I say this as a professional classical pianist who listens, basically, only to jazz.

You're probably right. But have you seen the rest of her house? Some teachers have a "teaching piano" quite separate from their personal piano. Although the quality differential can be quite large, the "teaching piano" usually isn't total junk if the personal piano is decent. Nice Steinway personal, decent Yamaha studio. New Grotrian personal, classic old Steinway studio. If the teaching piano is as bad as you describe, this is a very strong signal, no matter how good, or sweet, you think this teacher may be. The red light is flashing.

You can probably find a teacher who is just as good and just as compelling as this one in your area. One whose teaching piano isn't a barrier to effective progress. Start looking.

Granted, I'm using someone else's resources, but I always insist that my students get to play the better piano in my 2-piano teaching studios...since their tuition (combined with everyone's tax dollars) paid for it!

Both

The size of the house is never an indicator of a good piano inside. Nor are the pair of Lexus SUV's in the driveway. Most people take offence if you give a negative opinion about their piano. "It's a good starter piano" is piano tech speak for "your piano sucks, and you should replace it".

Some teachers have "good starter pianos".

Her piano seems to be taking you to places you,ve never been .If
you suggest bringing your digital with you to lessons she may just
just agree to going to your home to teach you on your U3 .
Otherwise she may have some work done on it to improve the sound.
I cannot imagine these lessons can be creative on such a piano .
What type of piano is it ?

Why not say ' I find your piano really difficult to play (don't say the piano is junk) could we try a lesson on my piano instead and see how that works?'