Music teacher dilemma!!

[Abadab]

My daughter is very excited to be starting at a JD this September, and we are in the process of choosing a new violin teacher (as she’s not allowed to continue with the current one 😩).

Current violin teacher has approved two potential teachers, and my daughter has had consultation lessons with both but is finding it very hard to choose between the two as they are very different! Of course both seem like great teachers but not sure which would be best suited to my daughter..

The first was lovely, mild mannered, spent a lot more time listening but was also constructive and offered good advice on how to improve certain aspects of her playing. Also seemed approachable and easy to talk to, as well as being very experienced.

The second was very very focussed on technique, less approachable, and I get the impression will be a very strict teacher. I felt like the teacher spent more time talking but seemed very knowledgable and has a great reputation, has taught all over the world.

My daughter is more drawn to teacher 2 as she feels they will ultimately make her a better musician. But I’m worried that the constant focus on technical aspects might affect her love of music and playing. And teacher might expect perfection before entering grades/competitions, etc, which could delay some things. On the other hand, teacher 1 seemed more laid back and maybe less pushy towards competitions and performances? Having said that, these are just my impressions with no actual proof of this at all! It is so hard to tell from just one lesson! Daughter is only 11 and this teacher is likely to stay with her until she is 18, so I am feeling the pressure to make sure she makes the right choice for herself.

Teacher 1 seems similar to her current teacher and more what she is used to, but daughter feels that she might go further with a pushier, stricter teacher. I’m just not sure how that is likely to work out in the long run?!

Any advice at all would be much appreciated!! Any music mums been through this or similar?

I think a time comes when the teaching style needs to develop from a more nurturing emphasis, to more demanding.
As the learning curve flattens and there is more work to do in proportion to the rewards felt, a stricter teacher can help keep young people motivated,
I say this as a parent of a musician whose teacher was the more nurturing style, and I feel looking back that the last few years the approach wasn’t working as well, and although my child still plays, I know she has not and will not now fulfill her potential.
If your child is inclined towards teacher 2, I would let this guide you also.

Are you really tied to the teacher forever? I had the choice of two teachers in a new sixth form and made what I thought was the right choice - but had a miserable 5 terms before switching (it took me a while to realise she wasn’t right for me) and learned more in my last term with the other teacher than all the previous 5.

Think your daughter sounds sensible to have recognised the style she needs to progress. Perhaps I was a little like her as a young person - I didn’t need a friend, I needed someone who recognised what I could achieve if only I was chivvied towards it!

Surely the gentler teacher can be contacted later on if the other doesn’t work out?

Thanks for your replies. Yes she is keen to go with teacher 2 and I think she will end up choosing this teacher. She says she’s ready for the challenge. I guess I’m just worried that lessons will become a stressful experience.. We can switch teachers if needs be, however as her lessons will be at junior conservatoire, teacher changes will be down to timetables and who’s available, and I’m likely to get far less choice in the matter. I’ll also have a lot less contact than I do now, and I get the feeling this is the most choice we will get in choosing a teacher before she starts in September.