Switching piano teacher

[Anonymous]

DD11 and DC8 has been with a very nice piano teacher for more than 4-5 years. Our piano teacher’s very good tempered and patient and my kids love her, we changed from in person lessons to online lessons during pandemic and stayed for online lesson since DD’s at a very homework heavy school and I want to save time for her ( once a week mid weekday lesson). Neither piano teacher nor us like the online lesson but just for kids to continue playing piano and fulfill their life. Our piano teacher tolerates ur to continue online lesson while we accept that she’s no longer doing sonata festival for her students, and she forgets about deadline for students special piano guild ( DD had to memorize 15 songs for 2 years, and DC will need to do the same next year), and sonata festival deadline when she’s still doing it 2-3 years ago ( DD had to learn and polish a 2nd song for sonata festival in about 2 weeks). Recently, I asked about for DD to learn moonlight sonata since she’s ready ( end of Suzuki piano book 5, another student played it and he’s about the same level as DD) and teacher said her hand’s not big enough. I also asked about Chopin pieces and our piano teacher said she couldn’t teach it. I don’t want to switching piano teacher, but just wondering what’s the best for DD. On the other hand, DC’s in mid Suzuki book 4, and he’s the type rushing through everything ( he’s lazy so he memorize asap so he doesn’t need to read the music and can play super fast) and plays wrong notes here and there. I have a possible new piano teacher in mind but unsure if DC will like him, but the possible new piano teacher could definitely benefit DD ( and also DC). I discussed with DH but still debating.

[Anonymous]

I’ve heard not every piano teacher’s have students do piano guild. So for piano techniques part, is memorizing 15 pieces for guild benefit or not necessary.

[Anonymous]

I'm confused. You have a piano teacher that your kids love and who is willing to do virtual lessons to accommodate your schedule.

But you want to leave because... she forgot about your kids' school event? She won't teach your children songs they aren't ready for? Your 8 yo makes mistakes while playing?

I'm not clear what your issue really is, but I doubt you're going to find someone better who will do virtual lessons and entertain all your expectations.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm confused. You have a piano teacher that your kids love and who is willing to do virtual lessons to accommodate your schedule.

But you want to leave because... she forgot about your kids' school event? She won't teach your children songs they aren't ready for? Your 8 yo makes mistakes while playing?

I'm not clear what your issue really is, but I doubt you're going to find someone better who will do virtual lessons and entertain all your expectations.

Thanks for your post. Yes we all like our current piano teacher as a friend so that’s why it’s hard to decide what to do. Piano guild is once per year piano level measurement/exam (non competition) from piano teacher side ( they have to be member, and an out of state judge will come give assessment). DD had to continue memorize 15 songs from the list for a 2nd year (she memorized before 1st year guild already), plus new songs she learned at 2nd year since teacher forgot to register or have 1 song short for DD at 1st year ( so it’s like probably 25 songs DD had to memorize, and that’s a lot and could had been avoided). Sonata festival is a piano competition almost every piano students participate in this area. Some would prepare 2 songs for months, but DD was asked to learn a song in 2 weeks, not because she couldn’t learn earlier, but because she’s asked to practice another song during lesson again and again, then teacher didn’t have time to teach 2nd song (2 song total 15 pages long needed to be memorized), so DD’s asked to learn and memorize another shorter song as replacement 2 weeks before event. For the hand size not ready, I doubt for those plays piano that have small hands just can’t play moonlight sonata. There are ways they can play. The possible piano teacher would come teach at our house for a much higher fee.

[Anonymous]

What is your and your kids' end game with the lessons? Competitions, awards, scholarships? Then you need to change to a teacher that supports those goals. But also they will not tolerate playing incorrect notes. Or is your goal a general understanding of music, getting good enough to be able to play what they want from movies, maybe do some jazz etc?
They are not mutually exclusive goals but get a teacher that wants to get the kids where they want to go

[Anonymous]

I don’t understand why you don’t switch back to in person with your current teacher.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What is your and your kids' end game with the lessons? Competitions, awards, scholarships? Then you need to change to a teacher that supports those goals. But also they will not tolerate playing incorrect notes. Or is your goal a general understanding of music, getting good enough to be able to play what they want from movies, maybe do some jazz etc?
They are not mutually exclusive goals but get a teacher that wants to get the kids where they want to go

I'm wondering the same thing. I have no idea what the guild and festival stuff is about, but it sounds serious and competitive. Exams, assessments, memorizing 15 songs, etc. You need to find a teacher who matches your level of expectations. But also it sounds like they are YOUR expectations and not necessarily the kids. They're only 11 and 8 years old! Are the kids unhappy with the memorization and the songs selected and the amount of time to practice?

FWIW, I have small hands and can barely reach an octave on my left. Can't quite reach on my right. Moonlight Sonata is a slog. My hands ache afterwards from the constant stretching. And there are some chords I simply can't reach. I have to choose which note to leave out. Just be patient and let them grow up. Is it the end of the world if she plays Moonlight Sonata as a 12 year old instead of an 11 year old? You sound like the epitome of a tiger mom

[Anonymous]

If by Moonlight Sonata you mean the first movement, then a big hand isn’t needed. Also, your child can play a couple of Chopin Preludes or the 1st Chopin nocturne and teacher can work on articulation or phrasing with her. Not every piece has to be for a recital or exam.
I have difficulty understanding Suzuki piano lessons past the first couple years.
Also, can your teacher really play piano? Is she a pianist? The reason I’m asking this is, somehow, in the DMV area, there are many private piano teachers who have done a few years of secondary piano only. .
I recently met a bassoonist who claimed she has over 25 piano students. When I asked her to play, she fumbled a very simplified version on Chopin Etude #3. When I asked her to play another piece, she said she’s been busy and hasn’t practiced.
She then showed me a video of herself playing the bassoon. It was quite good. She also has letters of recommendations from
Pianist friends, but she can’t play any piano piece past a 3rd grade student.
I get that most kids don’t want to pursue piano as a career but it’s like hiring a soccer coach to teach your kid tennis just because they’re nice.

[Anonymous]

Wut are you asking

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm confused. You have a piano teacher that your kids love and who is willing to do virtual lessons to accommodate your schedule.

But you want to leave because... she forgot about your kids' school event? She won't teach your children songs they aren't ready for? Your 8 yo makes mistakes while playing?

I'm not clear what your issue really is, but I doubt you're going to find someone better who will do virtual lessons and entertain all your expectations.

Thanks for your post. Yes we all like our current piano teacher as a friend so that’s why it’s hard to decide what to do. Piano guild is once per year piano level measurement/exam (non competition) from piano teacher side ( they have to be member, and an out of state judge will come give assessment). DD had to continue memorize 15 songs from the list for a 2nd year (she memorized before 1st year guild already), plus new songs she learned at 2nd year since teacher forgot to register or have 1 song short for DD at 1st year ( so it’s like probably 25 songs DD had to memorize, and that’s a lot and could had been avoided). Sonata festival is a piano competition almost every piano students participate in this area. Some would prepare 2 songs for months, but DD was asked to learn a song in 2 weeks, not because she couldn’t learn earlier, but because she’s asked to practice another song during lesson again and again, then teacher didn’t have time to teach 2nd song (2 song total 15 pages long needed to be memorized), so DD’s asked to learn and memorize another shorter song as replacement 2 weeks before event. For the hand size not ready, I doubt for those plays piano that have small hands just can’t play moonlight sonata. There are ways they can play. The possible piano teacher would come teach at our house for a much higher fee.

This stream of conscious writing style is making my eyes bleed

[Anonymous]

You need to change teachers.

Online does NOT work for the finer points of technique and expression. Your kids should learn some Chopin, a cornerstone of piano repertoire.

There is absolutely no way your kids are learning correctly with years of online lessons. If the teacher was a good teacher, she would have refused this arrangement.

Finally, hand span has NOTHING TO DO with what pieces you can play!!! Maybe your kids are not yet ready, technique-wise or from a maturity perspective, but then your teacher should just say that.

But it really sounds as if the teacher is abysmal.

[Anonymous]

Wait. You were thinking of graduating from an online lesson to a teacher who comes to your house?

No no no no. You understand nothing of the music business, OP. The teachers who are willing to drive to clients' houses are NOT the teachers who are worthwhile. Also, online music lessons are only for temporary bridging between real in-person lessons. They should never be used as the main method of instruction.

All the best teachers have more than enough students and teach from their home studio, or a reputable music school or university. They do not have the time or inclination to drive for lessons! Their students come to them. Ask around for a real teacher, and get off your bum and drive your kids there.

And don't give me that rubbish about homework. My kids has been playing her instrument for more than 10 years, has a heavy load of advanced courses in high school, and has two private lessons a week (in the teacher's studio we drive to), plus youth orchestra, plus additional rehearsals for chamber ensemble. In addition to her sport and other endeavors outside of school.

You've got to ask yourself why you're doing this, OP. If it's just to while away the afternoon in a pleasant manner, well and good. But if you hope that this activity might lead to more opportunities in the future, such as a talking point in a college essay, volunteer accompaniment for school choirs, chamber group with piano, competition wins, etc... right now your kids are probably not on that path.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is your and your kids' end game with the lessons? Competitions, awards, scholarships? Then you need to change to a teacher that supports those goals. But also they will not tolerate playing incorrect notes. Or is your goal a general understanding of music, getting good enough to be able to play what they want from movies, maybe do some jazz etc?
They are not mutually exclusive goals but get a teacher that wants to get the kids where they want to go

I'm wondering the same thing. I have no idea what the guild and festival stuff is about, but it sounds serious and competitive. Exams, assessments, memorizing 15 songs, etc. You need to find a teacher who matches your level of expectations. But also it sounds like they are YOUR expectations and not necessarily the kids. They're only 11 and 8 years old! Are the kids unhappy with the memorization and the songs selected and the amount of time to practice?

FWIW, I have small hands and can barely reach an octave on my left. Can't quite reach on my right. Moonlight Sonata is a slog. My hands ache afterwards from the constant stretching. And there are some chords I simply can't reach. I have to choose which note to leave out. Just be patient and let them grow up. Is it the end of the world if she plays Moonlight Sonata as a 12 year old instead of an 11 year old? You sound like the epitome of a tiger mom

We don’t prioritize piano, the guild is part of curriculum from our piano teacher, the special annual guilds have set song lists to follow ( 14-15). This year there’s no special guild so I asked for 10 only. Our current piano teacher isn’t the competition type, our previous one is. Sonata festival is very difficult to stand out from the 1000+ and get into the top 20, so it’s more like participation for us but not thinking about winning. I could be wrong about DD’s small hand being able to play moonlight sonata, she had played different song which she could just leave the bottom note out per teacher. I wonder if continue to practicing and memorizing old songs are necessary, since DD has limited time to practice new songs daily we only ask her to review some old songs once a week if DD has time. Isn’t spending time on new techniques and songs more important? The possible new teacher isn’t the competition type I think ( he’s an active performer and very likely won’t have time), he may not even do guild, but if he and our kids click, the in person class can definitely benefit our kids ( he comes to students’ houses; we don’t have to to travel to our current teacher’s house since DD has hours of school homework to finish daily). Maybe we should try a few lessons to see first then decide.

[Anonymous]

Moonlight sonata is so easy. Your 11 year old wiltj 5 years should definitely be able to play that

[Anonymous]

teacher is correct re Moonlight. The distances between notes in the left hand of the first movement are difficult for small hands. Third movement is also difficult.