Piano lessons are an age old phenomenon, evoking images of old Europe in classical parlours where children were forced to play the leading composers of the day.
Even within the last several decades, this kind of piano and music education has been passed down.
Though there is no shortage of Conservatory programs to apply to where classical music and technique is transferred to kids and adult alike in rigid manner, there are tons of more accommodating options where fun is equally important to learning.
The key is knowing what you want.
In either case, you want a professional who knows the instrument through and through, especially the style of music you are looking to play.
Hopefully, they know at least a bit of everything, but if you want to play jazz, it doesn't help that they're a master of Chopin.
This also depends on how advanced you are.
So assuming you have played before and you have a history with the instrument, you'll know more what you want.
But assuming you haven't, there are lots of things to consider.
You don't want a kid who plays decent piano on the side trying to make some pocket money, but you also don't want a virtuoso who won't be able to relate to you while charging no small fee.
The answer lies somewhere in the middle, and the degree or side you pick depends on your preference.
If you're starting out, they don't need to be excellent musicians, just good teachers.
There's a big distinction.
A good teacher cares, and they're devoted to the craft and have considerable experience bringing various people from beginner to competent musicians and closer to experts.
They've seen the problems you have and have a wide range of solutions to make sure you're playing the music you love without it alienating you, or being overly frustrating.
It's a tradition, especially with piano, to labour and dwell on theory.
There's something to be said for it, and a certain amount of sight reading and background knowledge can definitely help, but it doesn't have to be what it was.
If you're satisfied playing pop songs, or rock ballads, or whatever, that should be enough.
It's a balance between doing what you'd like to get accomplished, and what you're motivated to do, and trusting your teacher enough to give him the benefit of the doubt—sometimes you may not think he's in the right, telling you to learn something you don't think is necessary, but afterwards you're grateful! His job isn't to oblige you every step of the way, but to teach you how to play an instrument.
This may include learning things that aren't immediately pleasant, but are important nonetheless.
Overall, your teacher must be someone you get along with professionally first, and personally second.
Hopefully they have a sense of humour and can manage to keep you from getting frustrated on what can be a difficult road.
It's a balance between fun and work, but this dichotomy should be embedded somewhat in your teacher too.
Even within the last several decades, this kind of piano and music education has been passed down.
Though there is no shortage of Conservatory programs to apply to where classical music and technique is transferred to kids and adult alike in rigid manner, there are tons of more accommodating options where fun is equally important to learning.
The key is knowing what you want.
In either case, you want a professional who knows the instrument through and through, especially the style of music you are looking to play.
Hopefully, they know at least a bit of everything, but if you want to play jazz, it doesn't help that they're a master of Chopin.
This also depends on how advanced you are.
So assuming you have played before and you have a history with the instrument, you'll know more what you want.
But assuming you haven't, there are lots of things to consider.
You don't want a kid who plays decent piano on the side trying to make some pocket money, but you also don't want a virtuoso who won't be able to relate to you while charging no small fee.
The answer lies somewhere in the middle, and the degree or side you pick depends on your preference.
If you're starting out, they don't need to be excellent musicians, just good teachers.
There's a big distinction.
A good teacher cares, and they're devoted to the craft and have considerable experience bringing various people from beginner to competent musicians and closer to experts.
They've seen the problems you have and have a wide range of solutions to make sure you're playing the music you love without it alienating you, or being overly frustrating.
It's a tradition, especially with piano, to labour and dwell on theory.
There's something to be said for it, and a certain amount of sight reading and background knowledge can definitely help, but it doesn't have to be what it was.
If you're satisfied playing pop songs, or rock ballads, or whatever, that should be enough.
It's a balance between doing what you'd like to get accomplished, and what you're motivated to do, and trusting your teacher enough to give him the benefit of the doubt—sometimes you may not think he's in the right, telling you to learn something you don't think is necessary, but afterwards you're grateful! His job isn't to oblige you every step of the way, but to teach you how to play an instrument.
This may include learning things that aren't immediately pleasant, but are important nonetheless.
Overall, your teacher must be someone you get along with professionally first, and personally second.
Hopefully they have a sense of humour and can manage to keep you from getting frustrated on what can be a difficult road.
It's a balance between fun and work, but this dichotomy should be embedded somewhat in your teacher too.
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