So I went to my first private lesson this week. Unfortunately, I was very disappointed. Let me give you some background as to why.......

For the last 10 years I have been debating taking on piano. I bought a computer program to teach me how to read music, practiced with a smart phone app, bought a Casio AP620, and have been practicing with the online software Piano Marvel.

When I went to my first half hour lesson. I only played maybe 10 minutes at most (Is this normal?). Now I know the teacher was trying to get to know me and my goals but I want to play. I know I have ALOT to learn but I feel as if the teacher took me backwards. She sent me on my way practicing 2nds and fifths. Through the online programs I was playing peices with Cords embedded. I think the teacher is nice, upbeat,positive, and motivational. I like her as a person but do not know if she will challenge me to the level to which I want to rise.

I have no problem practicing hours a day. I just want to be moving in the right direction. How do I tactfully tell the teacher I was completly bored during the first lesson and thought her weekly expectation was MUCH too simple!

Did you tell her you already knew how to do what she gave you? If she doesn't know what you are capable, she cant give you appropriate material. She probably assumed you were a beginner and gave you beginner stuff.

I just had a talk with my teacher about what she had us doing. Since my sister and I have previous piano experience and we played pieces for her during our first lesson, she was only giving us other pieces to play and we didnt work on technic or anything. I had to tell her that I wanted to go back to that stuff so I can develop my skills at the piano. She totally understood and we are now moving forward.

You should probably talk to the teacher before you quit or something. They probably don't know

If you think you might want to take lessons, give it much more than a single 30-minute "get to know you" session. If after several lessons the teacher is asking you to work on thing you think you already know, you might consider the possibility that you are not doing them well or correctly.

Online lessons and books and such can not give you feedback on how you're doing. It's entirely possible to move forward through many lessons covering all kinds of material without ever actually learning to do any of it properly. Not saying that's what happened to you but it's always a possibility.

In any case, you ought to be telling your teacher why you think the first lesson was off the mark. That will do much more good than telling us. Assuming of course you're not going to drop the lessons after one time.

You told the teacher of your previous work with self-instruction of course? What were you able to demonstrate on a real piano, lacking automatic features? Maybe she detected some basic problems with your playing technique and felt they needed correction as a first priority.

Anyway, don't ask US, ask HER!

+1

I have all new student first interview for free so I can get to know them and have a plan with the first lessons, but perhaps this woman doesn't do that. I also have all new students sign up with an 8 lesson trial period. That gives me 2 months to get to know them and devise a plan and direction for the lessons. If after that time they are not satisfied with their progress, we go our separate ways. One half hour lesson is not enough to judge by.

I can understand why a teacher would have you practice something like this, especially if you have developed bad habits from teaching yourself (which, from my experience, happens to everyone who self-teaches), and to undo bad habits sometimes you simply have to stop playing altogether and let the muscle memory go a bit.

Having said that, I have no idea what this teacher is doing because I didn't sit in on the lesson and every teacher has different ways of approaching the same problem. Did you ask her why you weren't assigned any pieces to play? Or why you are only working on 2nds and 5ths? Communication is key to a successful teacher/student partnership.

I had my second lesson the other day. I brought in the materials I had been learning from the computer. This helped my teacher see what basic knowledge I had. What a difference this made! I take full responsibility for not doing this on week one when I should have. Next, I played a couple songs I had been practicing. The teacher was surprised I could not only play the right notes but with chords as well. It was not perfect but showed off some of the hours I have been practicing. I told the teacher of my goals and asked her to push me.

Long story short.....It was a fantastic lesson! She taught me so much. I have a ton to practice this week and can not wait to get started. Her personality is a perfect match with my learning style. She is funny, upbeat, positive, and encouraging. Well I have a lot to practice. Off to the piano now!

That is great to hear! When dealing with a transfer student it's very hard for us teachers to figure out what the student knows and doesn't know. I'm glad you were able to communicate clearly some of your experience so she knew where to pick up rather than start from the beginning.

I'm really glad you have had a great 2nd lesson Derek. Just yesterday, i had a lesson with an adult.. the first one. I have a plan that logically addresses issues, skills and practice routines. It is difficult to explain the 'why', particularly with this student who had so many questions. All in all tho, we are off to a good start, tho i sensed she was a bit frustrated because i couldn't explain (in our one hour) how a V7 was a G7 chord.. I really didn't even want to get into that particularly since i wanted to instill the importance of using particular fingers at the beginning. anyhoo. After a while, my students get the drift that i am answering their questions before they are asked and assume a willing openness and quietness. She does know some stuff and was delighted when i assigned her 5 pieces and she could actually play them from the get go.. she had no idea she was so talented.


Fortunately, she wants to start with an hour a week, and we are both looking forward to her next lesson.

best of luck to you - it sounds like you will be a good team.

Congrats! I'm glad that us transfer students could get things smoothed out with our teachers. My first lesson of the year after I had the "talk" with my teacher, she was very frustrated with me while we were working on a piece I had picked up over winter break (Fantasia in D Minor). She seemed really nice and upbeat before, but BOY when she wants to push you to be your best, she gets antsy! I was giggling at her for most of the lesson and she gave me a lot of assignments. I had my second lesson of the year yesterday and I reached all the milestones that she wanted me to, I think she was shocked. I did the presto parts perfectly and I think she wanted to cry, haha.

I cant wait to finalize it and play it in the PW Recital (hopefully)!

I just received a transfer student, and during my first complimentary meet and greet, between the parents input and the 6 year old's responses (and a language barrier issue), parents felt the child had not learned anything with the prior teacher. I gave the child two pieces introducing middle C and G and asked if she could play those songs, or knew what the notes were. She responded "no." She also didn't like her prior method book, which parents could not provide the name for. Parents said the child took lessons for a year and only learned Twinkle Twinkle Little Star. The child said she never "counted" when playing her songs. I asked the parents to bring her prior music books in at the next lesson and suggested we start with a new primer book, promising to supplement with other fun pieces. At lesson #2, parents come in at the end of the lesson with 3 primer books the child had! I was astonished to see that this student had in fact played songs with notes on the staff. I know this situation is alot different from yours, but oftentimes with transfer students, it may take a few lessons to determine the student's level.

I'm glad it all worked out for you!

Pardon, but I skipped reading all the responses to your post.

My advise is to do what your teachers say verbatim. You only think you know what you are doing, but your teacher knows for certain. I had the same problem: "I can do it", I said. "OK, then show me", she said. I couldn't, so then I started listening to what my money was paying for: expert opinion, advice, and guidance. Good luck.

that is excellent advice painter55. (my new adult student is driving me bats.. asking all these questions that are going to be answered anyway, in time). Still i answer them.

When she said.. My how that hour flew by.. i didn't say "Well, you kept interrupting to ask questions.. " it takes a while to get into a student/teacher relationship that is efficient, positive and helpful.