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Original poster

I think my piano teacher hates teaching me

39 replies

MankySnottyNose · 03/03/2026 22:14

I’ve been doing piano lessons since Christmas. I’m 45 and my memory is turning to mush - I find it so difficult to remember stuff. I’m practicing daily but when it comes to my lesson you would think it was my first time seeing a piano.

I had a lesson yesterday and when I arrived he looked fed up but polite. He’s always patient but I’m pretty good at reading body language and I can tell he’s getting frustrated and fed up despite him trying hard to hide it.

I really want to learn and I don’t want to give up but I’m starting to feel like I’m stressing this guy out. I live in a village with no transport so finding another teacher isn’t an option plus I don’t think it’s him, it’s me. Starting to feel like a bit of a thicko 😞 why can’t I grasp it??

OP posts:
mediummumma · 03/03/2026 22:32

I’ve been learning piano for 2.5 years and I often feel rubbish about my development. I’m 46 and take online lessons and it’s slow going, but I’m getting there! You will too if you keep going.

Are you nervous about your performance or abilities and projecting this discomfort onto your tutor? Or perhaps you’re on the money and he may be frustrated or fed up, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you are the source of these feelings. If you are not enjoying the lessons go elsewhere instead of giving up entirely. A better teacher will make all the difference to your confidence and enjoyment.

ElizabethVonArnim · 03/03/2026 22:29

Hmmm. It sounds like he’s not the teacher for you, it if you are stuck due to your location, worth persevering for a while.

As you’re only a couple of years younger than me, if your childhood experiences were similar to mine, this is a great website - all the assembly hymns arranged for easy piano. Gave me a really happy afternoon plonking away badly, one day when I had an empty house. https://easypianoteacher.com/easy-piano-hymns/

Easy Piano Hymns — Free Sheet Music & Tutorials

Learn easy piano hymns with free sheet music and video tutorials. Includes Amazing Grace, Be Thou My Vision, and more. Perfect for beginners.

https://easypianoteacher.com/easy-piano-hymns/

Original poster
MankySnottyNose · 03/03/2026 22:27

DontBuyANewMumCashmere · 03/03/2026 22:21

Have you got a keyboard or piano at home?
Do you practice?
Could you ask to record the session because you forget a lot of the points he makes?
There are apps that can help you practice on the tablet etc including sight reading, note identification etc

Good luck, it is hard to learn anything after about 30 so don't be down hearted, keep going. It'll be worth it in the end.

PS You're paying him, you're a customer! So just keep going and paying him, everyone's happy

I’ve got a piano and am practicing multiple times a day but my muscle memory is brilliant - so good that when I learn a song in the book perfectly I feel like I’m getting somewhere until he points to a part in the middle and asks me to start from there and I realise I can’t read the notes at all, I’m simply learning from sound and muscle memory

OP posts:
GoldenCupsatHarvestTime · 03/03/2026 22:24

So it’s reading the music you’re struggling with? There are apps to help you practice that. Or write out a key with him so you can practice reading music as home and then check your guesses against the key

Original poster
MankySnottyNose · 03/03/2026 22:24

BigOldBlobsy · 03/03/2026 22:22

As others have said, it is his job to teach you, when you speak about how much you practice and how hard you find it does he understand/respond supportively?
if not maybe look for alternate teachers?
on a side note, I’m planning to start learning keyboard/piano soon too! Complete beginner

Yeah he’s actually really nice, he says I’m doing well and have made brilliant progress but when I’m playing note after note wrong and then blanking out completely because I’m getting anxious it doesn’t feel like it 😞

OP posts:
Original poster
MankySnottyNose · 03/03/2026 22:22

I told him I’m struggling to remember what the notes are on the paper, he gave me some strategies to remember them but it’s like in one ear and out of the other with me.

I’ve always found it difficult to learn from instruction, I’m a doer rather than a listener but I’m really trying, it’s like my brain just won’t engage.

OP posts:
BigOldBlobsy · 03/03/2026 22:22

As others have said, it is his job to teach you, when you speak about how much you practice and how hard you find it does he understand/respond supportively?
if not maybe look for alternate teachers?
on a side note, I’m planning to start learning keyboard/piano soon too! Complete beginner

DontBuyANewMumCashmere · 03/03/2026 22:21

Have you got a keyboard or piano at home?
Do you practice?
Could you ask to record the session because you forget a lot of the points he makes?
There are apps that can help you practice on the tablet etc including sight reading, note identification etc

Good luck, it is hard to learn anything after about 30 so don't be down hearted, keep going. It'll be worth it in the end.

PS You're paying him, you're a customer! So just keep going and paying him, everyone's happy

Inthewindandrain · 03/03/2026 22:19

I use the app simply piano it is brilliant, about £60 a year I think, I am 55!

Chipper28 · 03/03/2026 22:18

You've only been doing it a few months, give yourself some grace! It's not easy learning a new skill, and piano is difficult. I'd try to have a chat with him first, but if he actually is getting frustrated that's pretty poor from him, especially after such a short time. Don't be so hard on yourself.

Minglingpringle · 03/03/2026 22:18

I’m not sure what the question is.

It’s hard learning a skill in later life. But he’s not being a very good teacher if he’s betraying irritation. As long as he’s continuing to take your money, you’ve no reason to feel guilty about how bad you are. That’s his job.

Do you think he likes you? Might it help to open up more about how hard you’re trying and how much you want to learn?

ShesnoGeordielass · 03/03/2026 22:17

Have you spoken to him OP?

bigboykitty · 03/03/2026 22:17

Get a better teacher! I don't think this one is for you. Don't give up though.

Original poster
MankySnottyNose · 03/03/2026 22:15

Just to add I tried to learn the guitar for 2 years once - could never grasp it but I’m DESPERATE to learn piano, it’s a life long goal.

OP posts:
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