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I take weekly lessons from wonderful classical teacher and am at approximately grade 6 level. I'm considering also taking bi-weekly Jazz Improv lessons from someone else. Would it bother you if one of your students was also taking lessons from another person? I'm feeling like there's something missing in my progress (probably talent!! ..definitely confidence...) and am hoping improv will give me a chance to study music structure a little differently. I love my current teacher and classical music and hope to continue studying with him for many more years but also want to explore jazz.

You should definitely talk to your current teacher about this. If jazz improvisation is not something they teach then I am sure they won't mind you seeking lessons elsewhere. I would only have a problem if another teacher was working with a student on the same things as myself. This never works and can cause a lot of confusion.

As long as your jazz teacher doesn't work on technique or things that your classical teacher would cover, I'm sure it would be fine. Be sure to let your classical teacher know that you are going to take jazz improv lessons, and let your jazz imrpvo teacher know that you don't wish to cover anything but jazz, and if there's something that you need to work on technically, then you can have your classical teacher help with that. This help you avoid any hurt feelings.

... I see five teachers a week - one vocal teacher, one piano teacher, one theory teacher, one music teacher, one performance - coordinator teacher. 4/5 teachers of mine are encouraging to the fact that I see other teachers and get differing opinions.

I agree, if a teacher was to work on the same content as your other teacher there can be conflicts.

At the same time I have had my piano teacher assist me with the classical interpretation of one of my vocal pieces. He also assisted me with understanding ensemble work and the communication that lies between the two instruments. My singing teacher has assisted me with understanding theory, so has my piano teacher. The music teacher I see has assisted me with my vocal piece, with the German diction and understanding instrumentation. My music teacher has also given me insights on how to handle certain works on the piano.

There are cross overs, and generally the best teachers often don't mind the advice of other good teachers. I think its important to tell teachers who you are seeing and what you are learning ... it helps the teacher understand what you know and so he/she can cater to your needs.

My current teacher doesn't teach improv. He does teach (classical) harmony at the university level and I've mentioned my interest in studying more theory and harmony but we never seem to fit it in. His schedule is very tight.

I would talk to both teachers, and make two things clear to both:

1. What I want from each.

2. That the new teacher is not going to try to "steal" me away from the old.

In other words, you are a consumer, shopping for specific items at two different "stores", which carry different items.

You hit it right on the nose! So true!

I think for your particular situation, that this
would be most beneficial in that it would give
you a completely different perspective
on playing. Some classical teachers would
greatly resent this, but not this teacher of yours,
because from what you've said recently it
appears that he's gently preparing the
way to eventually drop you.

Thanks for that....you are always a ray of sunshine in these forums...