So far I have had 2 lessons with my new piano teacher at university. I'm working on loads of technique and it is nothing like I have ever done before, and I am feeling like it is going to be ages until I can get it all sorted. I'm doing lots of different exercises to help certain things, like strengthening fingers and stuff but I just feel I'm going to get nowhere for ages.

I'm also working on a movement from a Clementi sonatina, but I think at the moment, my old teacher would probably almost be satisfied with it, but my teacher isn't and he shouldn'y be. It isn't a difficult piece and yet I can't play it well at all.

I'm now realising what a rubbish pianist I am, and who knows how I got through any of my exams.

My piano teacher was a bit if a perfectionist, but it paid dividends. Believe me, he sounds like he knows what he is doing here. There is no quick fix for any piano technique (or any instrument). Stick with it and you'll find you can play with good technique and hopefully your playing will become more assured and more confident.

Hi Saxlover - I'm really glad you're feeling the way you're feeling!

I went through a similar experience. After leaving school and school lessons I had to find myself a new piano teacher. I was able to do so in the form of an ex-professor of accompaniment from the Royal Academy - Geoffrey Pratley. The first lesson I had with him (about 8 years or so ago) saw me bringing this huge rachmaninoff prelude (the one in Bb major) and trying to play it for him. What I found especially annoying was the fact I was stopped (repeatedly!) after every few bars and challenged to think orchestrally or in the context of what was happening musically etc. I was given invaluable advice on technique and practice for all sorts of things in a way that made practicing fun. It was and is hard work but, believe you me after several lessons of this sort of thing your playing improves exponentially. You'll begin to really enjoy your music and maybe like me, find yourself in the curious situation of actually being (and I'm an amateur here) a very good pianist (within the limits of your technique) with a solid foundation for further study but still never fully satisfied with how you're playing stuff because you realise the vast mountain to climb to make even the most simple pieces truly beautiful. It is a nice tension to feel as it spurs you on further.

I felt that I too couldn't play the piano at all after the initial lessons (and still wonder!) - however you can play the piano well and, by the time you finish college, will be a very good and musical pianist.

Hope this gives you some solace in the pain you're now feeling

Dangermouse

No, you're not rubbish! I got right through to grade 7 and starting working towards grade 8 with my first piano teacher - and I'd had a lot of distinctions on the way, but when I changed to my 2nd piano teacher (who is still my teacher when I need a lesson) he worked a lot on technique - Tankard, Hanon, Dohnanyi etc to sort out weaknesses in my playing. And he worked on expression and interpretation. I wouldn't have said I was rubbish before, but rather that he really realised my potential and helped me become a much better pianist. It did seem for a little while that I was playing slightly easier pieces but then, progress once we started moving forward again was much more rapid. I could have never played the later repertoire well had I not had all that thorough grounding work. So be heartened! You're definitely not rubbish!

It is perfectly normal to feel the way you do. When I did my advanced study it took months and months and months to change things. Ultimately I became a better player - eventually I could play stuff I never thought I would be able to cope with but it took alot of humpfing and grouching before my determination won through. I had perfected my own errors in spectacular fashion! Be patient but persevere. You can do it!! Bag x

Maybe I'll get somewhere one day..................

You will definitely!

You're getting somewhere already. Remember what I said ages ago about improving when you weren't doing a marathon of successive exams?

I know, but I just feel at the moment that it is going to take absolutely ages just to get half decent. Grrrr.

half decent???

Cast your mind back a few months when you picked up one of my books and played the first piece that I couldn't play the first line of?????

Trust me, you are a decent player!

Well...it must have been a fluke....and it wasn't played that well

Well that reassuring TO ME because I can't play it half as well as you did then

That's because you wouldn't try it

The cheek! Not when I'm going to look like a right fool! But I have been doing it for ages now, and it's still sounds awful!

It's alright Nat, I feel perfectly cr-ap here too! Just gives me something to work on and it's making me practice!!! without the tv on!!!!

At least you can practice in your halls - I have to go to music dept for a piano!

And everyone there is really good!

They might well think the same of you!

I had to walk 30+ minutes to my nearest piano in 1st year. I worked all summer to buy me one of my own for 2nd year!!

I had my third lesson with him this morning....and I've still got tons of work to do but he said I'm doing better than when I first came to him.

Some hope perhaps....

Thats good. Keep up the good work!

Fab We all know that this is a positive post for you

yeah I agree with Helen!!

Do YOU think you've got any better?

A bit yes

good

That was very positive Nat, well done!

Thank-you *takes a bow*

Do I get a gold star?

Absolutely. One gold star for you!

Yep .

Nat, I am sure you are much better than you think you are.

Actually, I know you sound great, you've played to me

You were great!

woooo! that's some star!

i know

Wasn't that in the dark??

Yes hehehehe

Yeah...I felt like that too once...it can be quite a tough time...

I'm
Yeah same here, I always think I could have done better even my teacher thinks it's alright....maybe university is much stricter...?? (by the way are you doing a degree of music performance??)

No you're not!! no one in there is rubbish!! And I guess that everyone is better than others in their own way. No one is perfect and also no one is rubblish. Just pull yourself together in this harsh time...I know how you feel, I was a person who did not see my weaknesses but since my teachers point them out, I was ashamed of it instead. But however, you should get involve with more music activities if you're really insterested....like joining a choir/orchestra/chamber groups??And lastly goodluck, I wish you'll do well in your music studies in university!!

I had another lesson yesterday...and he said I'm getting better..YEY

Hi Nat

I hope you are enjoying your new life at university. What are the pianos like and do you get enough access to them to practise?

Access to pianos are fine...most of the pianos are good. Then again I'm used to playing on awful pianos, so anything is better than what I am used to

How are you finding the work level, do you manage to fit it all in with your instrument practice and are you expected to practise your instruments for a cetain number of hours a day?

They've not told us how much we are supposed to practice.,...I'm doing more work than practice at the moment..but once I get into more of a routine I am going to sort out specific times to practice.

Must dash....dinner almost ready!

so is mine I've got to go too.

Hi Lucia

Good to see you back, how's your hubby doing?

Hope to see you a bit more often.

cheers

Katyjay

Hi Katyjay

My husband is doing really well, he has finished all his treatment and is in a really good remission. He went back to work at the beginning of October. We are just starting to get back to "normal" now. I will hopefully have more time to get on the forums now and to PLAY my piano.

Yay, I'm happy for you Lucia

Thanks Nat

I see I've missed alot while I've been away. You've been pretty busy on the forums too judging by the huge number of posts you've made .

Where has Davidmusic gone?

Busy bee that's me!

Davidmusic - gone! no time to be on here! I speak to him occasionally

Lucia: So glad to hear the positive news . Hope things continue to go well for you and you enjoy getting back in to your piano too .

That's great news Lucia