Well shoot... I knew this would happen, but I didn't think it would happen until may 2026. I don't know why yet either. I suppose I will find out on Wednesday (my next lesson)... The school just sent out a note that said my teacher's last lessons will be April 21, which is quite sudden. I hope it's for a good reason (like, he's going on tour or something??) rather than something bad.

I have had many teachers over the years.. maybe 10 I think (I've been playing for 25 years, and moved a lot so that's not a huge number relatively speaking) but my current teacher is definitely in the top two.

I'm heart broken.

    It's also now a logistical problem, because I really want to keep working with someone, but I think I need more of a coach than a teacher, if that makes sense. And I don't think a lot of piano teachers know what to do with an adult piano hobbyist like me.

      Oh no! Having a teacher that you click with is a gift. Losing said teacher, bummer.

      pianoloverus What's the difference that you see between a coach and a teacher?

      That's a good question, and "coach" might not be the best term. For example, if someone wants to hack at the comparison by talking about coaches for high level athletes, the term might not hold up, but it's hard to find an alternative term to describe something different from a traditional teacher, so let's stick with coach for convenience sake.

      Anyway...

      I want someone who can help me do better that which I am already doing. This feels qualitatively different than what I looked for in my teachers 20 years ago, or even 10.

      Now having said that, maybe it's just that I want someone who can see where I am now, recognize that and work with me, rather than do what they do with all their students... And so many the distinction b/w teacher and coach isn't as important....

      I don't know, this all just happened like an hour ago 🙁

          ShiroKuro I’m sorry to hear that. Hopefully you will be able to find someone else who you can work with.

            ShiroKuro Aw, sorry to hear it! I think I understand how hard it must be to find someone who will accept your musical approach and challenge you to stretch in a way that makes you comfortable.

                rsl12 to find someone who will accept your musical approach and challenge you to stretch in a way that makes you comfortable.

                I'm ok with a little, or even a lot of, discomfort! 😃

                But yes, it's always hard to find a teacher who's a good fit, doubly so when you're not playing the traditional classical repertoire. Every time I've had to change teachers, it's been hard, first of all, just because of all the logistics. So that's always an issue. But this time, ugh, this teacher has been so great.... 🙁

                A great teacher makes such a difference. 🙁

                  I suggest asking your present teacher for a few recommendations.

                  Oh no, I'm so sorry to hear that 🙁

                  Well, I found out that my teacher isn’t leaving town, just leaving the school. I think he’ll be teaching on his own locally, though I think he feels constrained in what he’s able to say. Maybe there’s a no-competition clause in his contract? After he leaves, I still have two more lessons at the school with a different teacher, so I’ll see how those go. But I might be able to switch to taking lessons from him privately. It’s a little unclear but I think we’ll be able to talk outside of the school after next week.

                  In the meantime, I’m still playing in the school’s recital, which is about 2.5 weeks away (yikes) so we spent most of the lesson working on the recital pieces, and on a new piece I’ll be playing with a violinist next month.

                  I don’t like the feeling of uncertainty here, but it is only temporary I guess. Sigh.

                    ShiroKuro Well, I found out that my teacher isn’t leaving town, just leaving the school.

                    Hopefullyt a private arrangement with your current teacher will work out well for you.

                      Out of the many possible scenarios, this one is probably the best you could hope for.

                      7 days later

                      Update on the situation with my teacher….

                      I found out that it might be possible to take lessons from him in the future, but because of his scheduling issues, he can’t do lessons with me in May or June. And because of my scheduling issues, I don’t think I can do lessons according to his schedule in July. 🙁

                      We have really enjoyed working together and agreed to stay in touch, so that’s nice. 🙂

                      Anyway, point being, for now I am going to see how it goes with the new teacher (I’ll meet her next week).

                      And in the meantime, I found out that I might be able to take one-on-one lessons in the music school at my uni!!

                      I had no idea that this was an option, because the first time I looked into it, I was looking at the wrong thing.

                      But I found out that I can register as a non-degree seeking student, and then the uni gives a tuition benefit to employees that looks like it will be enough to cover one class per semester.

                      So I’ve been emailing with the head of the piano program, and it sounds like it actually might work out. This wouldn’t start until fall semester of course, but I’m super excited at the prospect.

                      I am also looking into taking a music theory class there. I can’t believe I didn’t know about this tuition benefit (in my defense, I’ve only been at this uni for two years).

                      Stay tuned for updates. 🙂

                        ShiroKuro And in the meantime, I found out that I might be able to take one-on-one lessons in the music school at my uni!!

                        Amazing!!

                            twocats I know!! I can’t believe I didn’t know about this. The tuition benefit is like the best kept secret!!