Well, I found out this morning, that my amazing music teacher will not be teaching me next year. It is due to cirumstances out of her control, but I'm just really shocked and upset, for both her and myself.

She took me on 3 years ago, when I was an ok flautist, but had some major weaknesses, and didn't really know much. 3 years later and I am a completely different player. After so many rubbish teachers, I finally found her, and have gained so much.

I know some people would say she's just a teacher, but she's done so much for me, and helped me. Although I could possibly have the odd lesson with her she lives in a different county, over an hour away.

I'm just upset at her leaving, she's a lovely person, and then I am worried about the future. It is like does someone not want me to get to university or something, my 2 History teachers have left, she's had to leave, and I don't want to go backwards in my playing, I've come so far, and I don't want my technique and musicality suffering when my flute playing is the best it's ever been.

*Sigh*

What a shame to lose such a good teacher.

By "not teaching you next year" do you mean after Christmas? Or next school year?

If it's the latter, that's when you'd be off to Uni anyway, so a change would have to happen at that point whether she was going or not. If it's the former, then that change has happened a little earlier than expected.

That doesn't mean you'll forget the things she's taught you, those will stay with you wherever you go next for lessons. And part of developing musically is learning to be less dependent on your teacher however good she is.

Oh, as from January. I know I would have been in uni anyway, but it's just a shock, and she's so good...

I just really don't want her to leave

Nicki, I know how much you like your teacher and how sad you were anyway that you'd have to leav her when you went to uni, but you're a GOOD flautist, and that isn't suddenly going to change because your teacher changes. Don't forget the hard work YOU have put in over the last few years, your teacher has been a great inspiration and help to you, but you have also done the donkey work and got yourself to the level you're now playing at.

*hug*

And you can always keep in touch with her.

I know, I've put in hard work, but I really want a top quality flute teacher, and my teacher was that. I might end up going to my conductor for lessons, but it won't be the same.

I still will be able to keep in touch I suppose. Maybe I'm making a big deal over it...

Nicki - I'm so sorry to hear this news and I can understand how bereft you feel - or expect to feel.

A couple of pluses - she's seeing you through your grade 8, no ?

As others have said, you have learnt a lot from her, and you appreciate that - imagine if you hadn't had that opportunity. I'm sure she has been delighted to have such a keen and responsive student, and it seems unlikely you will lose touch. You're not going to lose all that skill, having done all you've done, and reached grade 8 level, if you happen to be without lessons for a few weeks.

However, whatever we can say on the positive side, change is always unsettling. Keep in mind the possibility that you might be fortunate enough to find someone even more amazing as a teacher at some point, even if not immediately. There is a saying "when one door shuts, another door opens" -

difficulty is, we can never imagine what might be on the other side of that door.
Try to accept the inevitable and wait and see!

I'd just like to endorse everything everyone else has said already.

I really feel for you, Nicki, because I know what it's like to lose a wonderful teacher. But, believe me, you will never lose what she has given you - personally, technically, musically - and you will never forget her. She will continue to inspire you - especially if you ever teach yourself.

And, as maggie says, it IS an old cliche about one door closing and another opening - but it's true - especially the bit about not knowing what's on the other side of the new door! It's what happens in life, time and time again.

Do everything you can to find another excellent teacher - you won't want to put up with second best after her. Maybe you will wait until you're at uni before finding a permanent one. Maybe you could still see your old teacher once a month from January?? You will have done your Grade 8 and that would keep you ticking over. There are so many helpful people on this forum - andante and Bagpuss immediately spring to mind in the 'helpful flautist' category! And I'm sure Bag and I can come and see you again and I know Bag would help in whatever way she can.

So try not to despair. It's just a nasty shock right now, but try to hang on in there. Just be sure that there WILL be another door that opens...

Yes, I'll have her for the competition, Grade 8 and my music teacher said that I could do my A2 recital before Christmas.

It's just sad, and I didn't expect it. I nearly lost her last September, and that was bad enough, and I had warning.

Sorry to hear the news, Nicki. A similar thing happened to me after Grade 8, and I found it difficult switching to another teacher during my Upper Sixth year. I hope the right person comes along for you - yes, it is rather like finding a partner.

My teacher said she could teach me, but she lives over an hour away...I need to consider the options


My Music teacher thought of someone, and my flute teacher has heard of her...but hmmpphh

Maybe...on a Thursday afternoon or something, I'll see..

It's happened to me a couple of times, although in each case it was because I moved, rather than because the teacher moved. It's not fun getting used to a new teacher's quirks, but we all have to face change at some point.

As has been pointed out, you'd only have her for a couple more terms in any case, by which time you will have taken (and passed ) your Grade 8; am I right in thinking that your final exam goal after this is your A2 recital? Given the workload and examload that A-levels have, perhaps a longer lesson once a fortnight (as has been suggested), is just what the doctor ordered.

As one door closes, another opens - this could be the opportunity you need to find an even better teacher. I know that such a teacher might not seem to exist at the moment, but prepared to be surprised. At the risk of stating the obvious, ask your current teacher if she can recommend anyone.

Oh, and stop worrying I caught sight of my pointy stick yesterday!

Oh Nicki I feel for you! I'd try and stay with your current teacher even on an adhoc basis if you can. To change in Feb and then again in Sept is probably not a good idea.

Good luck whatever you decide.

Oh Nicki, I'm so sorry to hear this I agree with what the other posters have said though - it's what you've learned from her that's important and you will continue to learn and you're still a good musician. And I know you'll keep in touch with her.

I had to stop having lessons with my old viola teacher when I left secondary school and I was really upset but my new teacher is good - very different, certainly, but still good.

I am also really sorry about this as well Nicki, when I left my old piano teacher to move to college I felt like I had lost my teacher and a friend. You could try a new teacher, you never know she might turn out to be really good as well.

Sounds like we have a plan emerging...

1. Arrange fortnightly lessons from Jan until September, possibly a little longer lessons to make up for the travelling etc.

2. AND pass driving test before Jan so you can easily drive to your teacher .

It would be a shame not to be able to continue just for a couple of terms until you go to Uni.

Yes, Grade 8 in December. My Music teacher also suggested that I could do my recital before the end of term, whilst I still have my current teacher as I am doing my Grade 8 pieces. (Actually, just thinking about it, I need a new piece)


Um, yes, well, I'd have to change in September when I go to uni anyway. I have a few options, but need to know what would suit my teacher best, and also work out how long I'd spend travelling, and if she could give me a lesson


I am losing a friend Only known her for 3 years, but she's done so much


Arrange fortnightly lessons if this can happen, I'm not sure yet, and will talk to her, and my parents

Haha, pass driving test before January, that will not happen!

I no exactly how you feel, my absoultely excellent music teacher moved just over an hour away about half a year ago. I still have lessons every fortnight and I don't at all mind the extra travelling as I know there is no one better to teach me. I was really upset when I thought I wouldn't be able to have lessons anymore but I guess every cloud has a silver lining.
Something might turn up out of the blue, so don't be too upset

It's a shame your flute teacher is moving on , especially as you two got on so well, but you won't forget what she's taught you, and the bottom line is you are a fine flautist. Your tone is stunningly good. And you won't forget what she's taught you.

She's staying long enough to see you through your grade 8 though, which is good, and there appears to be a chance you could travel to her for fortnightly lessons.

I really feel for you Nicki.

I was a bit like you with the piano in that I changed piano teachers when I was about fifteen and progressed in a short space of time from being a rather mediocre pianist to being ready to take grade 8. (Although unlike you I couldn't cope with the stress of the exam in the upper sixth and chickened out of actually taking it). I was really upset when I went away to university and lessons with him had to stop. I still (twenty years later) wish I had changed teacher earlier.

However, as many people have said to you, what he taught me has remained with me. I am particularly grateful to the fact that in the last six months he taught me how to work by myself. (He used to say that a teacher's ultimate aim is for students to be able to continue to learn new repertoire by themselves) and he knew it would be hard for me to have regular lessons once I left home.

No one can take away from you the pleasure she has given you in your instrument and the technical progress you have made.

Nicki,
I hope you get something sorted out soon, to both your satisfaction. Best of luck.
Beverley.

Sorry to hear that Nicki!!

I hope things turn out ok!

I don't mind travelling over an hour if she can still teach me, it's whether if she can and whether my parents agree.

Barry - Aww, thanks for my tone comment!

Nicki I really feel for you and know exately what your going through! Having just changed teacher a few weeks ago myself I know how hard it is but my new teachers fantastic and it has been worth it.

Hope you find a good solution!

Jen
xxx

So sorry to hear about losing your teacher, Nicki. Hope you manage the fortnightly lessons. As others have said, you will have to change when you go to uni, and the plus side about finding a (good) new teacher is that you will get a fresh approach and this can be very inspiring as you will find other ways of looking at things.

I know, it's just that I knew I'd have to leave her when I went to uni, had psyched myself up for that, and it was just a shock..

I agree and understand your feelings.
After successfully passing my DiplomaABRSM in piano, I was shocked when my piano teacher said I'll be leaving her as she don't teach LRSM.
I cried for one whole week.
Finally, my teacher told me she'll take me as she started to teach a few LRSM students.
I was as happy as a lark!

I will be happy if I can continue with her, even if it is once every two weeks. After January 2007, I won't have anything huge I need to do, I'll be doing my Grade 8 and A2 recital this term, so once every 2 weeks would be ok.

Sorry to hear about this Nicki - it's very bad timing for you and must have come as a real shock. I wouldn't have thought there'd be any sense in getting a new teacher at this stage as it would be for such a short time. If you had fortnightly lessons with the old teacher could you have email contact with her to sort out any problems that might arise?

Also, I have a friend who used to do an online lesson with her teacher - who lived in California! They set up webcams and mics and used Skype so it didn't cost any more than the cost of the lesson. Bizarre but it sort of worked...

Violinia

No, by January, I'd probably be having 6 months of lessons max. I have her email address and phone number, I'll ask whether it would vaguely be possible to have fortnightly tuition.

Hope you work something out that works for you, I know it's a hard change to cope with.

I can completely understand how you feel. A lot of peoploe think it's 'odd' getting so friendly with a teacher, but after all - they're human too. I remember at the end of year 9 when one of my teachers (not music) left, i was so upset because she had helped me through so much (amazingly i managed to make contact with her over 2 years later). I'm also dreading leaving 6th form because my music teacher at the moment has helped me so much, and i managed to move my GCSE grade up from an E (what i was predicted at the start of the year) to an A with her help.

All i can suggest is that you try not to worry too much at the moment, and keep focusing on working towards the grade 8. I think if you are able to still have lessons with her privately then that would be a good idea, even if it does mean only going once every couple of weeks. Maybe double your normal lesson time (unless you already have about an hour).

I normally have 40 mins, I think it's about £17-20 for that, and double that, so 1 hr 20, would be nearly £40, eek!

Ooooh - My lessons were only £10 for 30mins or £20 an hour.

I'm going for lunch with my sax teacher in town on wednesday ! Is that weird? She's 60 I am 15

I don't think it's wierd Ben - unusual, but not wierd. I hope I have some 15 year old friends when I am 60

Nicky - really sorry to read about your teacher situation .

I'm sure you'll sort something out that works well until you go to uni in September. Since you'll have passed your grade 8 by then, have you thought of spending those 6 - 8 months doing something completely different which wouldn't matter so much / might actually be better if you had to change teacher? Specifically thinking of the new jazz flute syllabus....(which reminds me, my info pack still hasn't arrived - must chase that up)

Hazel

No! I've been out to lunch with my flute teacher before


I don't know, I've ordered the demo pack from the AB but it hasn't come yet, but I am unsure/don't like doing things I've not done before about changing to a new discipline

Aww *hug*

Sad to hear this Nicki but like people have said you are a good player and at a standard that you won't be in as much need to have as much teaching as other people. Even so, I'm sure you will progress even further and find a better teacher.

Anyway, I've only had one particuarly good teacher but I only had her for one year in first school, and now I'm getting my fourth teacher. Hope this one's good.

Oh Nicki I'm sorry to hear your problems but you sound like such a conscientious student that a teacher can only assist you so much and the rest (motivation, perseverence) has to come from the student which are qualities that you definintely have.

I'm not saying that it's going to be easy without your inspirational teachers but you're more than at the end of your school studies so you're nearly there. Don't let this get you down.

I'll try and not let it get me down, but I've had such rubbish teaching in the past, I don't want the only good teacher I've had to be taken from me!