Hello All

I had some piano lessons as a child but havent played with any sort of continuity for about 15 years so I class myself as an adult beginner.. or begin-againer 8)

I have just purchased a "new to me" piano and am now interested in finding a good teacher to get me started again.

So my question is - what makes a "good" teacher and how do I go about finding one? It doesnt seem right to just randomly pick one out of the phone book.

Are there a list of questions I should ask about their history and qualifications, like an interview? Is there ettiquette for that sort of thing? What do you think are the most important qualities a piano teacher should have?

All opinions will be gratefully considered!

Thanks! 8)

Visit the local music store. Ask them who they generally reccomend to their adult clients. If you already have a piano tech, ask there. (Trust me....They hear it all). Then call your prospective piano teacher and discuss the type music you want to play and your experience.

Know what it is you want to learn, and why you want to take up lessons again. By "what it is you want to learn" I don't mean repertoire (which pieces), but what skills you want to acquire if that is your goal, what concerns you have etc. Also know ahead of time how much you are willing to invest in this. How much time do you think you will be able to spend daily, or do you think you will be able to practice daily?

It is much easier to talk to prospective teachers if you have these things clear in your mind. Giving your experience, as Ivory Dreams suggests, and your general goals might be a good opener. Let the teacher tell you what they would want to do, what their expectations are, and whatever it is that they want to tell and ask you. From reading the forum, apparently teachers hate being asked about their fee and location right off the bat. That is something I would not have thought of.

KS

Interesting objection. My teacher told me what her hourly rate is, right off the bat. I also want to know about the policy for missed lessons, make-ups, etc. To me, it is no more than showing a proper respect for her business. Traffic is murder around here, so the location really is an important thing to know.

It's quite true that knowing your goals as a student will be helpful to you both in finding a teacher, and in getting to the goals.

I asked my piano tech for suggestions about teachers, and my piano dealer. I looked at online and Yellow Pages listings, checked with a music store that also offers lessons on-site, and talked to other people about their teachers. In the end, the lady who sits next to me at the local concert series referred me to her teacher. So, it was networking that paid off.

The process wasn't over by just getting a name and a phone number: the teacher interviewed me pretty extensively over the phone, and our initial lessons were on a trial basis, so we could both see how it works out. She also told me about her history and qualifications, I didn't have to ask her much. But these things are worth knowing.

I hope you have good success in finding a teacher you'll be happy with, and that you enjoy your new beginning.

Google:

www.Learning Musician

www.GetLessonsNow

The above 2 websites will give you teacher profiles and photos and have an email direct address to contact teachers to inquire about their studios and teaching programs.

You access your area by putting in your zip code and your instrument of interest. Matches are made within about a 20 mile distance in addition to your zip code.

MTNA (Music Teachers National Association) www.MTNA.org for their certified teachers list at the bottom left of the page.

Another potential is that your local colleges and university may have a "Community Music School" for lessons for the general public, all age groups.

Do this just to get some idea of what is available out there.

Good luck! Let us know when you make the selection and how it's going for you!

Betty Patnude

Hi Kokoro,
Finding the right teacher is so important.
I had some 'not so nice' teachers in the past. I almost quit playing the piano all together.

But I perservered and found a wonderful teacher. I have made so much progess with her and I actually enjoy my lessons.

On the advice of PW members I interviewed my teacher before hand. In the past I jsut signed up for lesson and got who I got. It never occured to me to interview them.

I also went with my gut instincs. I ended up cancelling with one teacher because she made me really tense just in the initial interactions.

To find teachers in my area I looked at music stores, music schools and online directories. I think the teacher I ended up with was from the online directory.

Here is the email I sent out: You can add or delete questions that apply to you. Obviously you might have different goals and requirements than me.

Hello

I hope you are doing well. I am currently looking for a piano teacher and have a few questions:

1. What are your studio policies regarding fees, cancellations and make-up lessons, for example?
2. What instructional materials and methods do you use? Do you tailor material to students' particular needs?
3. Do you teach any music other than classical music?
4. Do you teach students how to improvise? Memorize? Play by ear? Compose?
5. Do you work on sight reading in the lesson?
6. Do you teach music theory? Technique? How?
7. How much practice time do you require each day? Do you spend time during the lesson helping students learn good practice habits?
8. Do you require students, to perform a certain number of times per year?
9. Can you provide references.

I look forward to hearing from you soon.


Best of luck!

I don't have an answer as I'm in the same boat. In addition, after reading several threads on the piano teacher's forum, (I wish I had never gone in there and don't anymore)I'm afraid I'll end up with a teacher who doesn't like to teach adult students. I don't know how to screen on the front end for teachers who really don't like teaching adults. If I'm going to pay someone to teach, I'd at least like to know that they appreciate my business and don't resent having to teach an adult with all the problems adults seem to bring to piano lessons. I noticed a very definite distaste for adult piano students from many posters on the teacher's forum and it has really discouraged me. I continue to practice and work my way through Alfred's on my own.

I'm thinking for me, word of mouth may be the best tool. That way I can find out from other adult students who they would recommend. But I only know one other adult who is taking lessons and her teacher focuses on playing chords and pop music when I really want to learn classical. I went to her last recital and felt like it wouldn't be a good fit after hearing all the bouncy pop tunes with the pounding chords in the left hand.

Anyway, I ramble. Just expressing my empathy for your situation and my own frustration.

Kris

When you do start interviewing teachers, just make sure you do NOT let yourself be too intimidated to approach a teacher who seems "too good" for "just an adult student." I'm not saying the teacher would mean to intimidate you...Some adults think they should leave the top-flight teachers to kids who 'may make a career in music someday' and feel like they're wasting an experienced, highly capable teacher's time.

This is not the case. MOST piano students (of any age) do not go on to make their living at the piano. And trust me, a teacher who is capable of teaching high-level, competitive, advanced students will get _you_ to a higher level much, much quicker than a teacher who is intimidated by advanced repertoire themselves.

Of course, some teachers who work with advanced students just don't work with beginner or intermediate students, of any age...but they can point you to really good teachers who do.

This is not about the age of the student, btw...Listen to someone who spent 6 years of her childhood getting to a level where a good teacher could have taken her in 2-3 years...

Kokoro,

Some good advice already posted.

Many teachers are putting up web sites which answer many of the questions you might have about being a perspective student. You should be able to find those with a quick google search.

Kymber's list of questions is very good, but don't forget, the teacher will be interviewing you as well, so it's a good idea to think through before hand what it is you want out of lessons!

I wouldn't worry too much about ending up with a teacher who doesn't like adult students. In most cases, they'll steer you to a colleague who does . . . why would they want to take on a student they themselves wouldn't enjoy working with?

Good luck.

Kris,
Don't worry about it. There are a few people on the teacher's forum who don't care for adult students. But there is, I am sure, a quiet majority of teachers who love adult students and just don't post as much.

Besides, the Teacher's Forum of Piano World is hardly representative of all piano teachers everywhere.

If it bothers you that much, just ask potential teachers when you interview "I know that some music teachers would rather not have adult students. Is that a problem for you? How do you feel about adult students?" and see what they say.

There are a LOT of excellent teachers out there who teach classical piano and love dedicated students of any age.

Prodigal,
That is right. Simply asking (and many prospective adult students have asked me this as the first question), "Do you teach adult students?" is a great way to find out if you have a teacher that would work with you. Some will ask if I currently have adult students, which is another good indication.

Kris and Kokoro: it is best as others have said to actually think about what you'd like out of piano. If you have an idea, then that's half the battle! Then you simply need to start doing the homework, making calls, looking at websites, etc. And don't be afraid to ask someone who doesn't teach adults or has no room in their studio for a referral of a teacher who might be able to help you. Then set up the interview, and be prepared to ask more questions and answer them as John pointed out. This is a big investment of your time and money, and so you don't want to go at it as if you were shopping at Walmart. I'm not insinuating that you are, but it's easy to fall into that mentality because there is so much that we simply pay the money, and we receive. With music, that is not necessarily the case. You may pay someone a small amount and get a great teacher, or a lot and get a not-so-great teacher. The price doesn't necessarily mean that teacher can give you what you're looking for. It's a lot of work, but well worth it in the end.

Best of luck to both of you.