Can teachers play student pieces ?

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Hi, I am a adult student and have been taking lessons for about a year. I have never heard my teacher played but recently I got a shock in my life when I discovered that she could not play my lesson pieces properly. I dont know if its unreasonable of me to expect her to be able to play on the spot without prior practice, but watching her stumbled like that really demotivates me.

Frank opinions especially from teachers is much appreciated. thank you.. Adult Learner

-- Adult learner (noname_poster@yahoo.com), November 08, 2001

Answers

With only a year of lessons under your belt I would imagine you're not an advanced student, yet. If that is the case, I think you should think twice about this teacher. I personally would expect the teacher to be able to sight read *flawlessly* at the level she or he is teaching. I was kinda shock to find out that there are some who barely play Fur Elise and go out and teach someone else. I hope this is not the case for you.

When it comes to beginners, adult or otherwise, I think it is extremely important to learn with a competent teacher. Try to find the best one that you can afford, and then stretch some more. That will pay off in the long run. As a beginner I would stay from the low paying, student teacher or stay at home partime type of teacher. Of course the are exception but be on the lookout!

Sorry if I offended anyone!

-- No Name (noname_poster@yahoo.com), November 09, 2001.


Are you satisfied with your own progress with your current teacher? If so, then I don't think your teacher's performance ability is necessarily an issue. Playing the piano and teaching the piano are two different skills. Some people play better than they teach, and some people teach better than they play.

Having said that, I also think that teachers who play well seem to inspire confidence in their students. And hearing the teacher play a piece wonderfully well can be a terrific motivator.

The final decision is up to you whether or not to stay with your teacher. If you decide to change, I agree with the above poster who suggests finding the BEST possible teacher. To do that, attend your local Music Teachers Association public student recitals or Junior Bach Festival recitals and interview the teachers of the students whose playing you really like; ask your local Music Teachers Assoc. if they make recommendations; talk about teachers with anyone you know who plays; ask the music department at nearby universities if they recommend piano teachers, and so on. If possible always listen to some of the students of a prospective teacher. Be prepared to pay the top rate. Music is such a great study that having an excellent guide is really the way to go. Good luck.

-- Alan (Noname_poster@yahoo.com), November 09, 2001.


I am not an advanced player yet.. I am playing pieces rated at level 4 by ABRSM (Associated Board of Royal School of Music, London). My goal of learning piano is just recreational. I just wanna have fun learning and playing music that I like .. having said that, I realise that I have a moving goal. When I started playing, I was happy being able to play simple songs from lesson books.. right now apart from that, I am also having fun learning simple Baroque's pieces.. I don't know what music I will study next but I know it will be fun :) Apart from having fun, I hope I am learning the correct things, doing thing right.

To be fair to my teacher, (I think) she has helped me improved alot.. I am still at the level where I spend most of practice time playing the right notes with proper rhythm with the proper fingering. She can detect the wrong notes or rhythm, give suggestions what and how to practice to fix a certain problem.

She does mention about expressions and techniques but she would let me move to new piece even I couldn't perfected it.. This is ok by me for now because working too long on one piece bores me, however I realise that I will have to place more emphasis on my expressiveness and techniques sooner or later .. I honestly dont know when.. any inputs ?? How long does your student work on a piece ? Can he play it 'perfectly' before you let him move on to new piece ? For my reference could you tell me what does your students work on during practice ?

Right now her inability to play properly bothers me because I don't want to play like her 10 years from now.. that is how long she has been playing..

I will be changing to a new teacher next month. I have heard my new teacher played but I dont know if she could help me like current teacher did but I think I have enough reasons to give her a try. I have not burnt bridges with old teacher and the option of seeking her service in the future is still open , if need be.

My love for piano music alone is enough to motivate me to practice but I think listening to my teacher's performances occasionally would provide constant assurance that her guidances and my hard work have a chance to actually lead me some where.

:) Adult Learner

-- Adult learner (noname_poster@yahoo.com), November 10, 2001.


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