I'm really starting to get upset.....

[fballatore]

I've taken about 7 lessons, and have been playing a little over 2 months. I found a teacher that I really hit it off with initially, but he's done some things that are really starting to annoy me. I'm paying for a 1/2 hour lesson, and the first 5 or 6 lessons, he kept me between 45 minutes and an hour. I was happy at first, but then realized that in a typical 45 minute session, he'd spend 20 minutes on instruction, and the rest of the time chatting. Not explaining music theory or anything, but telling me how he met this guy that played with Benny Goodman, and that guy that played with so and so, and how he studied at Berklee, and so on. Now I don't expect to get 30 full minutes out of a half hour lesson; I realize that there is some talking, etc. that must be done, so I wasn't really too concerned. Until tonight's lesson. Tonight he kept me 30 minutes, and spent 20 minutes chatting away. And it wasn't even music related. Before I got there, I was excited about this lesson, because I've been making fantastic progress on a tune I've been working on, and really wanted to show it off. I barely got to play it for him. I then sat there and realized that in 7 lessons, I've played approximately 10 minutes total during the lessons. When the teacher is not chatting, he spends his time playing tunes and scales, etc at lightning speed and I can't pick up a thing.

I'm going to look for a new teacher. What do you think?

Frank

[No Clever Name]

Well, I guess I'm no expert...

But have you talked to him about this?

That'd be a good place to start, I think.

[fballatore]

I've tried hinting, oh have I tried...

I don't know what to say. "Gee Mr. Instructor, do you think you could stop spending so much time telling me stuff I don't want to hear about you, and maybe teach me something?" It's not easy to tell somebody you don't think they're good at what they do. I do ask him to slow down when he zips through something. Tonight he showed me the A Major scale, and played it in 16ths a couple of times, so I said, "I guess I'll just have to look that up in my theory book when I get home." That didn't do a thing.

[JL]

Find a new instructor. Not everyone can teach. Teaching is as much an art as performance. You need to find someone who knows what they are doing.

[Deva]

I agree with JL. Good teaching requires a certain amount of selflessness!

To be fair to your current teacher, and to all his future pupils, I think I'd want to get the message across to him that you need more slow and detailed instruction and to feel you were getting value for money.

Good luck with finding a better teacher.

[Jbroad572]

Wow 2 of my instructors do the same thing, the first one or 2 lessons, but I wnjoy hearing about it, but if it cuts into that much of the lesson that would upset me as well. I say, talk to him as hard as it may be or you can always find another music teacher, but give him a reason and a warning that you are leaving out of common courtesy.

[larry]

You can take control back in a couple of ways:

As you're setting up, say something like "I have a couple of quick questions" or "I was working on such-and-such exercise and I was hoping we could go over a problem I had".

When he starts wandering off-topic, steer him back saying something like "Yes, but here is the spot in the score I was talking about".

If he says ANYTHING you don't understand, speak up! "What do you mean by 'diatonic'?" "I don't understand what you just played - could you explain that to me again?" Remember you're paying him! Get your money's worth!

Two additional points: 1) Some of the things he might be teaching you may be useful lessons as a musician (and a human being) that aren't specifically related to playing (how to get gigs, how to play with other musicians, etc) but 2) Yeah, he might be a crummy teacher and there are others out there, if you don't think you're getting your money's worth, change teachers!

[retromom]

Frank,
Are there any other teachers in your area that you would consider going to? If your guy has a long teaching history then obviously his style works for some students - perhaps it just isn't a good fit for you and there's nothing wrong with that. I would be exactly the same way. I also believe that we are probably not far enough into this to have a change be detramental at this point. If I were in your position I would be stuck because I don't know of any other teachers in close proximity.
I feel badly about this because I know how exciting it is to go to every lesson and I would sure hate to see you get discouraged.
Good luck
Vicki

[Bill Mecca]

I had a teacher, my first actually. I was in my late 20's and he was a bit older, we became great friends, and hung out after the lesson talking about this and that. in the right setting the chat is fine, but you need to get busy when the timer is running.

gee I lost touch with Julian, have to see what he is up to, last I heard he was playing in a Gospel church in Meridian Mississippi..

[Old Charlie]

Frank,

I have a similar problem with my teacher ni that he's been pushing me without regard to how I'm really doing. SO last week I just let him know just how I felt. The result was that he backtracked and has started to be more realistic in his assignments. I have to say that he did listen when I spoke my concerns.

You deserve the best. If you can't get it there, go elsewhere. But try talking to him first. You are paying him to teach you. I would start with mentioning that you feel you aren't getting your money's worth and that you would like to spend more time in lessons and less on chit chat.

Hope that helps. GO for it.

Chuck

[nilsbull]

I'm lucky to work at a state university with a music school. Back a year & some when I got back into playing (35 years w/o) I started out with questions about embouchure, fingering sequences & a handful of other minor subjects. I went looking for expert advice.

I sent an open email to one of the faculty members who teaches saxophone. Over the course of the past year & some her advice & suggestions have made "relearning" a pleasant experience. In the process of talking with her & observing how she teaches, I've picked up what I think are very important qualities of a good teacher. (And my mother & grandmother were both teachers.)

First, when she's working with a student she focuses all her attention on that student. Eye contact ain't but a small part of it. You can't interrupt her or break into the conversation. She listens to the student. Her focus is on teaching the instrument & observing how the student plays. (I suspect that her ability to focus is reflected in her playing, since my lack of focus keeps me way back at the bottom of any "talent" with the horn.)

Secondly, she knows her subject. Brands, models, tonal qualities of makes & models, reeds, mouthpieces, all of that. This works into how the students learn & how they perceive their progress.

When she teaches, the student's playing & knowledge is the subject. If I were a kid again, I'd want a teacher like her to show me how to play these horns right.

If you're having doubts about what you're getting from your lessons or if the teacher isn't focused on you & what you're trying to learn, it's time to find a new teacher.

Period.

Nils

[fballatore]

Thanks to all of you for your great advice. I finally did decide to switch teachers, and it was a great decision. I've had 3 lessons with my new teacher, and have learned more in those 3 lessons than I had in 3 months with my previous teacher. It's become a pleasure again.

Frank

[retromom]

I've had 3 lessons with my new teacher, and have learned more in those 3 lessons than I had in 3 months with my previous teacher. It's become a pleasure again.

Frank

Glad to hear it Frank and it's nice to see you post. :)