Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Piano Teachers Forum Questions when finding a teacher

Hi everyone. I did search, but couldn't find this topic. Hopefully it hasn't been asked too much.
I want to take some lessons. I'm 30 I started playing in early teens and then around 7 years ago I had to leave my piano behind. So I got a new one 1.5 years ago. (well new old ha)

So I want to take lessons again. No idea what "level" I'm at, but I'd like to take the royal conservatory exams and get better.

What are some qualifying questions to ask of a piano teacher to try and find the right fit?

Is a lesson a week necessary or could once a month or once every other week work?

Here's a recent thread on this topic I keep bookmarked because I liked the input the teachers here provided so much: http://www.pianoworld.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/2035389/1.html

Here's an active thread in the Adult Beginner's Forum (which I recommend checking out if you haven't already) with some insight on trying to go about it alone: https://www.pianoworld.com/forum/ubb...%20study%20without%20any%20t.html#UNREAD

The thread Bobpickle already mentioned has a lot of good info.

My top three questions to ask the potential teacher (for your scenerio): how much experience do they have, what level of education, and do they enjoy teaching adult students?

I would suggest weekly lessons. Among many other reasons, it serves as as strong motivator to know you'll be playing in front of your teacher in 7 days...6...5...4...3...oh no I better really practice!!!..2...1...ready-or-not-here-comes-lesson-day.

Of course there's one more question: since you want to take the exams you'll need to ask the potential teacher if they participate.

Thanks for the topics and replies! I think I was only searching this forum maybe. Appreciated

Musicpassion what are the other reasons besides motivation to practice for your lesson? My motivation is there. i play daily anyhow. I am paying for lessons for my 6.5 year old and can't afford to pay for us both every week lol

There are probably more, but here is what comes to mind right now...

First is the opportunity for the teacher to quickly correct errors. A normal part of the learning process is making mistakes, and if the mistake isn't corrected, then it will become fixed in your mind as correct. At that point you have to unlearn the mistake and relearn it correctly. That winds up taking more time.

Another factor is the volume of information the teacher needs to impart. It is a challenge for me to teach my advanced students who aren't doing hour lessons (hour lessons are fairly standard at the advanced level, but sometimes schedules or finances or whatever don't work out) because there is too much information to teach. I think the same concept would apply to lessons less than once a week.

Also important is building the professional student - teacher relationship. The learning process works best when there is that understanding and familiarity that only time builds. In my experience that has actually been more true with adult students than with children. Children readily accept that adults are authority figures who are giving them information and correction for their learning, and that they are to follow instruction. For some adult students this can take longer.

All that being said, if you can't afford it, you can't afford it. Take the journey in whatever way you can.

I happened to write about this very subject so I will share the link:

http://arioso7.wordpress.com/2011/03/05/scouting-a-piano-teacher/

I agree that meeting a teacher and taking a sample lesson are great ideas. I would also recommend weekly lessons.