After looking for a teacher for several months, I asked the church pianist at our new church if she's taking new students, which she is. We discussed the possibility of starting lessons in January. No commitment was made, no details discussed.

After a few more communications it's become very obvious that she's not the right teacher for me. While I want SO badly to start lessons as soon as possible, I really don't want to start something just to end it soon after. I believe I'll be taking lessons for the next 4 - 5 years, and I'd like to find a teacher and stick with her/him for the duration.

The biggest issue is that she doesn't teach classical music. Pop music is her preference, and that doesn't interest me at all. She also starts adult students in an adult beginner book. All adult students.

This totally shouldn't be a big deal. I just need to tell her that I've decided to keep looking. My problem is that we've become friends, and she recently said that she's lost a few students due to the economy, and is pretty desperate to replace them. I don't want our friendship to be strained, and I wish I didn't know about her need for new students.

Okay - I'll bite the bullet and tell her I've decided that lessons between us aren't going to work out. I'm usually pretty hard-nosed, and this sort of thing doesn't bother me. Guess I shouldn't have asked a new friend about lessons. Live and learn

Guess I just needed to talk it out. Thanks

Telling her "I'm going to look for another teacher because I'm interested in classical and not pop" is truthful and about as easy as possible for her to take.

sounds like you've already decided which direction to go. Just be upfront and honest.

I would do it soon, before you start your first lesson. She can't possibly take it personally at this point since you've not done a lesson. If you procrastinate and let even one lesson slip by, she will prob take it personally.

Oh yes, if you have a lesson scheduled with her then tell her this beforehand, so you don't waste both her time and your own.

I haven't had a lesson with her yet. I actually just found out tonight that she has already started back up after her winter break. She was going to get back to me with a schedule before she started back up, and she never did.
I think we both realized after our last conversation that our musical paths are quite different. I was just so stunned by a couple of her comments that I didn't say right away that it wouldn't work out. She's a lovely person, and I wish her the best. I'm relieved that things have worked out this way now, rather than later.

I told her tonight that I'm going to continue to look for teacher who focuses on classical music and who will push me hard toward my goals.

I've been waiting to hear back from another teacher whom I think would be a perfect match. She may not have an opening, but said she'd let me know by the end of next week. She has 21 students who are piano majors, and has 2 openings for private students.

Thanks for being a sounding board!

Maybe, given your feelings, it would be too hard at this point, but... you could split the baby. Hey, it was good enough for Solomon.

Some teachers will accept lesson contracts for a short term student, say, ten lessons. That would give you the chance to build up some momentum, get used to practicing, and--- what the hell--- crunch your way through that adult beginner book. Getting your teeth into essential skills is going to help you, no matter what direction you take. And it would give your teacher friend a modest amount of income.

I might also remark, that you can't take five years of lessons at once, whatever your intentions may be about sticking with one teacher for that long.

As long as you're friendly and frank in your communications, this will turn out ok no matter which way you go.

I didn't even know that existed. I've heard the opposite, and of teachers willing to split the time, but NO classical music? Huh.

I heard back from the other teacher last night. She's decided to take me on. I'm SO excited. She's pretty old school. Lots of scales, strong on technique, really focuses on classical. I'm going to have a 45 minute weekly, starting the week of 1/17.

I really couldn't stand the thought of going through a beginner's book. I think it would be a total waste of time, and I certainly wouldn't spend money on it, let alone paying for a lesson to play through a book I could play through decades ago. I know a new teacher has to determine what level I'm playing at, as a student returning to piano after a long hiatus. But my new teacher is having me bring some music I've worked on, which seems perfectly logical.

I hadn't heard of teachers that don't teach classical, either. I have several friends who teach. And while they don't teach classical exclusively, they do focus on it pretty heavily. Anyhow, I'm thrilled with how it worked out. I believe my friend and I will be fine, and my long search for a teacher is over. I can't wait for my first lesson. I have a really good feeling about it