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Extra-curricular activities

Find advice on the best extra curricular activities in secondary schools and primary schools here.

Original poster

Piano teacher - very talented but young

11 replies

achimberry02 · 30/01/2022 22:09

I'm looking for a piano teacher for my 7 year old DS as we've moved to a new area. He's a beginner in piano.

A talented pianist currently performing solos and in orchestras have been recommended. She looks a great pianist but is young (early 20s and in university. She has young pupils.

DS's previous teacher was a music teacher/piano tutor for decades and I wanted to get some opinion on this potential new teacher.

I know that a great pianist doesn't necessarily make a great piano teacher. I also know that more experience doesn't mean better teaching.

Is this new teacher worth considering (having a trial and etc)? Or am I better off looking for someone more experienced at teaching?

OP posts:
DorotheaDiamond · 30/01/2022 22:13

Best piano teacher I know is very young - was prob 24 when we started with her…incredibly enthusiastic and inspiring. Try this teacher see how your Dc get on. She may not be the one to get them to g8/music school but if she can instill enthusiasm and make your Dc look forward to lessons that’s probably more important !

horseymum · 30/01/2022 22:25

I would have a trial lesson and see if they click. See what her plans would be, whether her style is right. You don't have to stay with the same teacher for ever but changing frequently probably doesn't help either. She could have been teaching since her teens to earn money anyway so have more experience than you think.

toppkatz · 01/02/2022 15:29

Teachers are born not made, IMO. I agree with having a trial lesson.

dynamitegirl · 03/02/2022 21:06

What will you do if your child ends up at school with a newly qualified teacher fresh out of university? Leave the school?
DD started with a very experienced teacher whose style seemed to verge on bullying and certainly didn't suit a shy 7yo. We found a different teacher who didn't immediately have space and so suggested one of her former students who was on a gap year between school & Uni. She was amazing! She and DD really clicked and DD started enjoying her lessons and became much more confident.

lanthanum · 04/02/2022 09:31

Definitely have a trial lesson, whoever you go with.

If this teacher is currently at university, what is she planning doing when she graduates? You've got the risk that she moves away, or starts a demanding new job that means she has to ditch the teaching. Changes of teacher are not necessarily a bad thing, but if she's in her final year then it might be worth asking the question.

LetItGoToRuin · 09/02/2022 13:22

I agree with everyone else - give the teacher a try.

My DD started learning piano aged 7 with a young teacher who was fresh out of music college when she started teaching. I was gently sceptical at first, but her teacher is wonderful, and makes the lessons a joy for my DD, at the same time as covering a range of musical aspects (lots of clapping, singing, theory, jazz, improvising).

LubaLuca · 09/02/2022 13:24

There's only one way to find out. Your child is young and just a beginner so a few lessons from a so-so teacher aren't going to ruin their chances of success.

CommonMelodies · 09/02/2022 13:41

I know that a great pianist doesn't necessarily make a great piano teacher. I also know that more experience doesn't mean better teaching.
Yes and yes. Try them out.

Original poster
achimberry02 · 09/02/2022 13:54

Thanks everyone

Since my first post, we did have trial lessons with 1) the young teacher in question in the original post and 2) a very experienced, and a current school music teacher in 50s.

And weve now chosen to continue with the first teacher. I was very sceptical of the first teacher and wouldn't have tried her if not all the response here was 'try out'.

It was quite a funny experience. My child just clicked with and communicated much better with the young teacher and got noticeably better after 1 lesson. This teacher actually seemed to explain things more easily which was not what I expected from a less experienced teacher. And she spent a few minutes playing the piece she was currently practicing for my child which inspired him a lot.

The second teacher was obviously very seasoned and great but more strict and my child was more shy and a little intimidated next to her.

I wanted to update you all to thank you to challenge my initial feeling.

OP posts:
Goooglebox · 09/02/2022 13:56

By that age I had been teaching piano for years. Good pianists often take on students instead of a Saturday job from the age of 14/15. Don't assume she isn't experienced!

Goooglebox · 09/02/2022 13:56

Just read your updates.. Children respond well to youth!

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