Discouraged, How to find a teacher Options

[violin_18]

As a returner to the violin I mainly want to improve so that I can play the pieces I like. However, I am always keen to do exams as I like to have something official and also am used to this kind of preparation from school. I called one teacher but felt like they were laughing at me and my reasons as they didn't seem to find exams important. I could just be feeling over sensitive but I just feel like giving up now.

[AmandaL]

No, don't give up. Look for other teachers and make further enquiries. Have you tried the website, MusicTeachers ?

There are teachers out there who are sensitive to the needs of a more adult learner and who will gladly accept you as a student, it's just a case of being patient, finding them and making contact. If you lived in London, I'd be very willing to take on an young adult like yourself.

I do sometimes wonder if it's the way the teacher teaches that makes them so reluctant to take on an adult student. An adult will very likely question them a lot more than a child with a parent. Perhaps some teachers feel intimidated by that or feel that it's not right that the student should question so much. Some teachers incorrectly feel that adults and older learners are slow learners - I've found the opposite! I've also learned a lot more about my own teaching methods just from teaching adults, than I could have ever done from teaching children.

[AnnC]

I think you picked on the wrong teacher. Some don't do exams because they aren't capable of preparing students for them, so they belittle them, and those teachers who do. There's a singing teacher in my area who's "qualified by experience", and says that exams, diplomas et al, are not worth the paper they are written on.
Don't be discouraged. Find the teacher you deserve.
Try ism.org or your local library or music shops. Or ask at schools. One of their peris may take you on privately. But don't give up. Good luck, and let us know how you get on.

[skylark]

Hi violin_18

Definitely don't let this one teacher put you off. As others have said, some teachers don't like teaching adults, and others aren't capable of teaching to exam standard - not that they'd ever admit it, far easier to diss exams altogether (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

So yes, contact some more - some teachers enjoy teaching adults and will be more than happy to do exams, it's just a matter of finding them.

Good luck with your music-making (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[violin_18]

Thanks everyone you've made me feel so much better. Everyone on this forum is so kind and inspirind (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[kat the cobbler]

I had an experience like this when I was looking for a new flute teacher a few years back. i had two lessons with the one I found and then she emailed me to say that she was discontinuing my lessons because she didn't think she could help me with exams because she was use to teaching beginners to grade 5 (I wanted to work towards my grade 7). I subsequently gave up with lessons and just kept practicing on my own.

Now I want to work towards my grade 8 and I'm considering going it alone rather than look for a teacher in case they all have the same attitude.