Losing my piano teacher
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Well shoot... I knew this would happen, but I didn't think it would happen until may 2026. I don't know why yet either. I suppose I will find out on Wednesday (my next lesson)... The school just sent out a note that said my teacher's last lessons will be April 21, which is quite sudden. I hope it's for a good reason (like, he's going on tour or something??) rather than something bad.
I have had many teachers over the years.. maybe 10 I think (I've been playing for 25 years, and moved a lot so that's not a huge number relatively speaking) but my current teacher is definitely in the top two.
I'm heart broken.
It's also now a logistical problem, because I really want to keep working with someone, but I think I need more of a coach than a teacher, if that makes sense. And I don't think a lot of piano teachers know what to do with an adult piano hobbyist like me.
Sigh.
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Oh what a bummer, SK. Sorry you're losing a great teacher.
I know what you mean about wanting a coach vs a teacher, that's what I'm looking for as well. And I completely agree with you that a lot of music teachers are trained specifically for working with children and their pedagogy doesn't always translate to teaching adults. One of my cello teachers used to use the worst 'baby' talk to convey ideas, "peanut butter tone" for example. What?
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That's a tough one. Hopefully in a U town there should be more skilled educators used to working with more mature students?
As to the coach idea, you might have some luck broadening your search outside of the piano community. Someone that can listen with an ear to phrasing and musicality. Maybe a retired music director from the U?
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Oh what a bummer, SK. Sorry you're losing a great teacher.
I know what you mean about wanting a coach vs a teacher, that's what I'm looking for as well. And I completely agree with you that a lot of music teachers are trained specifically for working with children and their pedagogy doesn't always translate to teaching adults. One of my cello teachers used to use the worst 'baby' talk to convey ideas, "peanut butter tone" for example. What?
thanks @Bernard
@Bernard said in Losing my piano teacher:One of my cello teachers used to use the worst 'baby' talk to convey ideas, "peanut butter tone" for example.
Good grief!
@Rontuner said in Losing my piano teacher:
Hopefully in a U town there should be more skilled educators used to working with more mature students?
You would think, but when I first found my current teacher, I remember that I felt like it was hard to find the right fit. For example, I don't play in the traditional classical repertoire.
As to the coach idea, you might have some luck broadening your search outside of the piano community. Someone that can listen with an ear to phrasing and musicality. Maybe a retired music director from the U?
Maybe... One of the things I love about my current teacher though is that he's currently playing and performing regularly, and somehow that changes the dynamic in a way I really like.
The music school recommended someone to me, so I supposed I'll have a trial lesson with her on the 23rd. And of course, I'll see my teacher on Wednesday, so maybe he'll have more information.
Oh speaking of which, this teacher and school has really been the sweet spot for me, the perfect combination of a teacher I click with, a super convenient location and lesson time, and an affordable price. It's going to be hard to replicate it, I suspect.
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Well that’s a shame. Hope you like your new teacher even more!
