Hi

Can I have some advice pls? I'm wondering whether I should change piano teacher. First I have to say that my current one is very good and we get along well. However, the "problem" seems to be that she doesn't quite push me beyond my comfort zone. Now I have neither talent nor ambition to perfect pieces to concert standard but I do want to be stretched a bit and play to my best ability, which even if I say so myself I'm not so hopeless that she'd be flogging a dead horse, nor do I lack confidence so she has to try to be gentle and encouraging.

I did talk to her this weekend and she was of the opinion that she doesn't see the point of me torturing myself (and not quite implicitly herself) over minute details weeks after weeks after reaching a "decent" standard ("isn't 'fine' enough for you?") given that I don't have much time to practise and had better use it to explore a wide range of repertoire since I'm only playing as a hobby at the end of the day.

Well I do see her points but compare to, say, Chets, my teacher doesn't quite seem to push me "enough". (I don't question her ability compared to the tutors at Chets given her background.) I've been with her since February and did feel this prior to going to the summer school, but didn't really have other teachers to compare to so not quite sure whether I was just being overly critical.

So now I'm not quite sure what to do, particularly as a good piano teacher is not easy to come by at G8+ level - even in London (I'm not talking about RCM/RAM/etc teachers whom I can neither afford nor deem necessary). I'm not totally unhappy (or I wouldn't have to ask here) but just feel that it could be better. I'm not a bad sight reader and have quite a good "foundation" (thanks to my fantastic teacher years ago) so I'd say I can get things up to roughly a not-ugly standard on my own (again if I say so myself ), so maybe I'm expecting a bit more from lessons, though I may simply be unrealistic?

All comments/advices appreciated!

I've had similar issues myself with a slightly different slant. My teacher pushes me and sets me challenges - She has me playing at G7 level but I absolutely cannot polish and perform at this level. She say's theres a difference between playing and performing and also states that she doesn't perform at that level either - though she plays much much better than I do!!!

I think you have to be proactive and as an adult learner can take more control over your learning. If this teacher will not or can not give you what you want/ need you should look elsewhere, regardless of her being a nice person etc. have another talk if need be and state clearly what you feel you need from her and ask if she can accomodate that. You are the one paying at the end of the day so you should be satisfied with your lessons.