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Anyone out there who has sat piano grades without any help, ie going to a teacher, I passed theory grades by myself some years ago without having a teacher and did very well, any suggestions would be helpfull as long as they are kind ones

Hello, I hope this isn't unkind but this is just what I think...

I took Grades 2 and 3 with a teacher and then decided that I would learn for the next exam on my own as money was short and I had just moved away from my teacher anyway. A year later I decided 'nope, I really need a teacher!' I didn't make much progress, just playing through pieces and finding the same things difficult over and over again. I have a pretty good ear and could tell when I'd played something wrong or when the sound wasn't quite as beautiful as I would have liked, but sometimes the reason I was struggling with something was poor technique - and this was something that I wasn't experienced enough to spot and fix by myself. I started with a teacher and I have improved so much. I was so happy when I played this piece to her (very badly) and she said 'no wonder you're struggling with this bit, your hand position is all wrong', she showed me how to get it right and after that it was so much easier. If I had done it on my own, I would have just kept struggling through that bit and perhaps I would have found the right way to do it eventually through trial and error, but I would have wasted a lot of time and got frustrated and put off.
I don't know the reasons why you would like to study without a teacher but if it is at all possible I would recommend that you see a teacher (a really good one). Even if you saw a teacher every now and again just to help you sort out any problems and make sure you are on the right track. If you learn on your own, there is a risk that you will develop bad habits which could seriously hinder your progress. Some people are completely self taught and manage to get very far and seem to have few technical problems but I think this is quite unusual. This is probably not the answer you were hoping for, sorry about that! But to be honest, this is what I would have liked for someone to say to me.

x

thanks bass clef I think you have just made my mind up for me, lots of things to think about might do grade 3 for a while myself and then go back to my teacher for final polish, paying for the lessons is the main reason for asking the question

Aah, bad times! I sometimes think of all the things I could afford if I didn't fork out for piano lessons every week and that I'm a bit crazy for doing it but its well worth it!

I just think that I'd only spend it on beer anyway, and that having lessons is much more productive! At least I have something tangible to show for the money spent!

Hi Billyboy! My answer would be that if music is important to you, really try and find the means to learn with a good teacher. I fumbled around the piano for about 5 years, but having taken up lessons again, I can see real improvement within weeks!