OK chaps, what do I do with my recorder teacher?
Brief summary: arranged lessons, had first lesson chat and little play, turns out teacher doesn't play (and has never played) the treble, though he has descant, tenor and bass experience. He had his yellow-bag Aulos with him
I was expecting to hear almost immediately from the tuition agency, given that they've had no money out of me yet. On the other hand, they now have my address so they may be posting me an invoice rather than dealing with me by email now

This guy is clearly not going to be a long term teacher. I was thinking that maybe I'd do this term with him, before I investigate the recorder specialists who are (i) a bit of a journey away from me; (ii) proper-therefore-scary BUT, there are two things that make me think twice about trying this term now:
1) My money! As we're all doubtless aware, you can only spend each pound once. Would I be better off keeping my money to pay for lessons with a 'proper' recorder teacher, even if I have to wait a little while for lessons (in order to build up courage to contact them, in order to sort out the logistics of lessons, who knows, maybe even to sit on their waiting list!)? Funds are not unlimited at the moment so it is a consideration!
2) Would it make things really awkward? To continue having lessons with someone when I have already handed in my notice and also explained why? As in, will he really be interested in teaching me after I've told his boss that I'm only having one term of lessons because "what kind of recorder teacher doesn't play the treble"? (It's OK, I'd probably find a way to phrase it more nicely than that )

I think I'm now inclined to get out of this before it goes any further. Quite fortunately, I'm on holiday next week, so my teacher is not expecting to see me again until 25th which at least lets me feel a bit less awful if I do things tomorrow (i.e. not a mere 3 days before my second lesson).
Actually, yesterday, having not heard from the agency, I was imagining that maybe they hadn't got in touch because they were trying to work out a polite way to sack me. The thought of them doing that had me amused rather than bothered that I'd lost the teacher - so perhaps a further sign that this is a no go.

Incidentally, the T&Cs of the agency say six weeks of notice. Do you think that's going to apply if I want to give notice before I've paid any money? Have I agreed to those T&Cs in taking the first lesson, or do you think I don't agree with them until after I've paid/signed/etc? Just curioius, really...

Maybe your bargaining power with the notice period lies in the fact that they (presumably?) knew your needs and agreed to sort you out with a recorder teacher then supplied you with a teacher who is not actually a serious recorder player?

You haven't signed a contract, so I don't think anyone can hold you to anything. It seems to me that you have had a trial lesson, result : you don't wish to continue with the teacher. You owe the teacher/agency the cost of that single lesson, nothing more. I don't think either the teacher or the agency are in any position to get stroppy with you. Presumably you can avoid the embarassment of talking to the teacher directly as the lesson was arranged through the agency. Pick up the phone and deal with this now, before you have second thoughts or talk yourself into doing the rest of the term...

Good luck finding a proper teacher!

Right, well, all done! As always, writing a witter for on here helped clarify my mind, so I've emailed the agency and we'll see what happens next (yes, SueHM, I know you said phone - but I don't do phones and I don't do 'conflict' - a phonecall with potential conflict in is one of the worst things imaginable).
It does feel like a bit of a weight off my mind so obviously I have made the right decision of not going ahead because I wasn't thoroughly happy.

The T&Cs do actually say six weeks' notice or six weeks' payment in lieu of notice, so worst case is that I pay some money and get no lessons (so I don't have to face the teacher again).
However, realising that most people are just people and perfectly nice, and that I shouldn't spend my entire life bracing for the worst, they may just shrug their shoulders because that's effectively what trial lessons are for. I also kept my email nice and calm and 'it is with regret I have decided that MrX is not the teacher for me'. I didn't put in "what sort of recorder teacher doesn't play the treble?!", though I did explain that this was my primary reason for not having lessons.

The agency also say they'll send you a different teacher if you can't be doing with the one they send; but they don't have any other recorder teacher, so I'd like to see them work that one out

Now I just get to panic until I get the email reply from the agency

I would be concerned about a recorder teacher who did not play the alto recorder. I hope that you get it sorted out without any problems.

The agency also say they'll send you a different teacher if you can't be doing with the one they send; but they don't have any other recorder teacher, so I'd like to see them work that one out

Yes quite !

I'm broadly inline with what others have said - that's it's in the nature of a trial lesson so far, you have signed nothing etc etc. If it helps at all, I offer new adult starters the option of up to three "trial" lessons ( I don't actually call them that, but effectively that's what they are) with no commitment. So nothing unusual as I see it. I wouldn't expect you to have to pay six weeks in lieu of notice at this stage.

I too find e-mail easier. I hope you sort it out - AND find a teacher who does treble !

D'oh! This'll teach me to read the FRONT PAGE of their website and not just head straight for the T&C's - they do regard the first lesson as a trial lesson without committment.

Oooooooooh, I'm all relaxed now

Oh good!
I know what you mean about the phone. It is a bugbear of mine too, but I seem to have got better in the last few years...

Hurrah, I've had a response now. It's all no problem, and I'm going to send them some money by bank transfer for the trial lesson.
All that worrying for nothing (I need a shaking-head/tut-tutting smilie!)

Glad it's worked out OK!

What do you think you will do now, or haven't you decided yet? Do you think it might be feasible to go to the "proper" one in the foreseeable future?

Sorry the teacher wasn't what you'd hoped . It really is a nightmare trying to find the right teacher, and of course not everyone takes adult pupils. I do hope you don't have to wait too long before getting some proper lessons, as you'd got all psyched up to start learning again.

Better luck next time!

As a recorder specialist, this post made me feel VERY cross.

After a long break, I've just restarted piano lessons again. What if I'd got there and she couldn't actually play piano...? Or if they'd send me a trumpet teacher instead? It just wouldn't happen.

It is, I fear, an example of the commonly held belief that recorder is a not 'proper' instrument, which you will encounter again and again should you pursue it.

In your shoes, I would not be willing to pay for the 'trial' lesson at all.

As with any other instrument, technique is a crucial part of recorder playing. I did Grade 8 with a non-specialist years ago (who could at least play herself, to be fair) and now have a specialist teacher who is taking me back to the basics. And I mean back to basics. When I first went to her, I wasn't even holding the instrument properly. That's where we started. Now I'm getting to grips with the correct technique my playing is in a different league.

If you're really keen to play recorder, keep your money and spend it on lessons with a 'proper' teacher. Have you tried the Society of Recorder Players - they should have a list of teachers in your area.

I have lessons in south London, but my teacher lives in north London. She is absolutely excellent - a very accomplished performer as well as teacher. I don't know how much she charges privately - I have lessons through a conservatoire/music school which are around £30 per hour, but I could ask her for you. Or she may even be able to recommend someone else.

glad it's worked out OK, Maizie.

Glad it's worked out for you, but I hope you find a proper teacher soon.

As a recorder player, I find it hard to believe anyone would call themselves a recorder teacher if they didn't play treble/alto, it has the bedrock of the repertoire.

Again and again, we come across situations where the recorder isn't being taken seriously. Arrrrgh.

Well, I'm back from my holiday, and ready to start again.
Having joined the SRP at the start of Sept, I got the list-of-memebers, and my branch has a few teachers - I may have to miss the session this Saturday, but there's one teacher who is near me AND has an email address, so that's super-brilliant, as if I don't get to talk to her on Saturday, I can email.
If that doesn't work out - I've got a list I was putting together of local-ish teachers. I have now deleted all teachers who are "something + recorder" and so have a list of "proper" teachers. Many of them are one hour lessons, many of them are at a distance, but I think some sort of arrangement could be made if necessary in order to make it logistically practical and also affordable.
I'm determined to definitely sort something out though

Great! Good luck finding someone