CALLING ALL EXPERIENCED PIANO PLAYERS - Advice needed

[DayDreamer511]

When I was younger I played the piano. I did very well in some festivals I competed in but never sat an exam (through choice). I rarely practiced and as a result my sight reading was always awful. My piano teacher could teach me to play music rather than me having to do much in terms of sight reading. I played piano for my higher music (Mozart, Bach etc) and the pieces I played were probably to the highest standard in my year group. My sister was always more hard working than me but our teacher told me that I have something that you can’t teach which is that I know how to play the piano. She said I know how to play a piece of music with feeling. Although I never practiced (through laziness when I was younger), playing the piano is something I’ve always had a love for. Having lived away from home for 10 years and not having a piano, I’m now incredibly rusty and since I can’t sight read well, I feel like such a novice. I’ve bought a piano and am enquiring about getting lessons as I really regret not practicing when I was younger.

Anyway, it would be an absolute dream come true for me if I could do lessons for a few years, sit exams and at some point in the future, maybe even become a piano teacher. I’m just wondering, does this idea sound too far fetched? Is it unlikely I’ll ever get to that level? I’m 28 and a stay at home Mum with young children and I’ve been trying to find my “thing”, my hobby or passion and it turns out the piano is that thing. I just don’t want to set my sights too high and fail.

I really appreciate any help/ advice.

Thank you.

[DayDreamer511]

I’ve found a teacher! Yay! Just over a week until my first lesson. I can’t wait

[Larsitter]

If you can get back to your previous about grade 5 level, learn the pieces and put yourself in for the ABRSM exam that might be a good start. Also start taking theory exams or learning theory as you need that for ABRSM for over grade 5 and of course to teach the children the piano music theory comes up all the time or should.

[Csd17]

This is such a beautiful post. I have no experience of this but it sounds like you’ve reignited your passion and will absolutely go far, hopefully achieving your long term goal of becoming a piano teacher. Really inspiring.

[DayDreamer511]

NeverEver one DC does 15 hours but the other is with me 24/7. I’m sure the nursery would take her for a half day but unfortunately, paying for lessons will be a struggle, let alone paying for her to be in nursery on top. Evenings are really my only option for lessons and it needs to be in my house which may make things difficult.

[DayDreamer511]

sylvester that sums me up as a child. I got to that level with minimal practice, although lots of lessons. I just feel as though I’ll be able to achieve so much more now. Not only do I want to become a very competent pianist, I want to make a career out of it, so that gives me a lot of incentive. I thought I’d reached around grade 6 level so possibly a little less experienced than I thought but never mind ☺️

[SylvesterTheCat]

OP the Fantasia in D minor you mentioned (I assume by Mozart?) is about Grade 5 level.
Are you looking to teach piano in private schools? The competition for these jobs is quite fierce these days. There's nothing to stop you from teaching privately at home though. You can advertise yourself on musicteachers.co.uk
It sounds as though your enthusiasm and hard work will get you to be the best player you can be. Often adults progress faster than children because of their dedication (and sometimes children just treat instrumental lessons as yet another activity and aren't prepared to put in the required practice). I think you should just go for it and see where it leads to! Good luck!

[NeverEverAnythingEver]

Daydreamer I found a teacher (after a break of over 20 years) by phoning the local piano shop. I go to her house but she's only about 10 minutes' walk away and I take a half-day off about once a month or so to see her. Are your DC in nursery?

[DayDreamer511]

I’ll head over to that thread, thanks Cote

[DayDreamer511]

My biggest problem just now is finding a teacher. I need someone who can come to me in the evening when the kids are in bed. Proving difficult to find

[CoteDAzur]

It’s possible! I started playing the piano again in my 40s, 30 years after I quit playing as a child.

That was 3 years ago. I made enormous progress and enrolled at the local conservatory. Music is now a big part of my life.

Join us at the Instrument Players thread

[DayDreamer511]

Honestly, I really expected that you were all going to tell me that I was setting my sights far too high and that it would be unachievable for me. It’s something I probably would have done sooner but I’ve been convincing myself I’ve missed the boat. So refreshing to hear that I could still make this work :)

[buggerthebotox]

Go for it! I was 55 when I finally got my G8s. For me it's just a really lovely hobby with a bit of teaching attached (word of mouth). I take it very seriously though, and have a "mentor" - an experienced teacher whom I can run things past. Most teachers I know do this.

I almost have a teaching diploma (currently on hold) but I already hold a PGCE (I don't teach in schools tjough).

I really think you should go for it, even if it's just for pleasure.

[gillybeanz]

I think the most important thing is to be able to play your instrument well. It may sound silly but I think some people don't see past the grades ito accomplishment.
You could eventually do a course in accompanying children on other instruments for exams.
I know our LA only has two accompanists, yet the music dept is really good.
If you were to do anything alongside your lessons I'd recommend teaching courses like the ABRSM ones. The fact your'e are a mum and used to children at various stages will be a huge bonus to you. Many young people starting out as peri's leaving uni don't have this skill yet.

[Larsitter]

Yes, it is a good time to get more qualifications when children are young and you may have to move because of your husband's career. I would start with it as a lovely hobby and go on from there and see where it leads. If you also want a extra source of income you could consider starting now with a bit of private coaching for 5 or 6 year olds may be? I don't know what qualifications you have eg GCSEs or A levels but even without some parents just want someone good with children who can help out, supervise homework after school, listening to their reading, help them learn spellings and tables etc

[DayDreamer511]

Thanks for your advice. Maybe I need to consider an open uni degree or something, along side my lessons.

[Larsitter]

I think you can get back into playing again and take exame.

I did to and including grade 8 (and failed a playing diploma ABRSM although I passed the theory and aurals part - such a pity but never mind). I still play most days for fun and it was very useful to play to accompany my children at home on their instruments at music practice time which you could do with your two when they are older.

You probably should set yourself a target of grade 1 within 3 months as you are an adult and will put in a lot of practice. Or may be grade 3 - I am not sure your current standard.

I would not necessarily set your hopes on teaching in schools as most of the teachers my children have had there have had a music degree and/or diploma and some a PGCE too actually but I am not saying that is essential by any means and it will depend in what part of the country you are in. However you could easily teach beginners if you are in a part of the country with people with funds to pay for lessons with demand for that once you get higher up the grades if there is not too much competition in the area.

[gillybeanz]

Take a look here and maybe join and post, they are a lovely bunch all with shared interests.
gb.abrsm.org/en/home Go to forum, but there's everything you'll need on here.

[DayDreamer511]

I played it very well (wish I could still play it so well), if that makes any odds.

[drspouse]

You can do an OU degree in Music if you need that for schools teaching.

[DayDreamer511]

Fantasia in D Minor was the hardest piece I ever played (and my favourite piece too for that matter), if that helps you gauge the standard I was at. Does anyone know what grade that would equate to?

[gillybeanz]

No, not at all, I meant that level.
You can take a practical Diploma with ABRSM after grade 8 and it's very much acceptable to LA's, there are some teachers who don't take the Diploma but ime they don't tend to get the best teaching jobs or the hours that the more qualified have.
I think the cpd with ABRSM is most impressive

[ferrier]

Agree with pp. Definitely start working your way through ABRSM theory and take Grade 5. What pieces were you playing when you stopped? You will need to be minimum grade 8 to teach beginners/elementary and more if you want to teach to grade 8.
I don't know how easy it is to get a job t3aching in schools these days without a specialist teachers or performer diploma, gained as an internal or external student from one of the music colleges.

[DayDreamer511]

Thank you gilly, is without going to university, will it be near impossible for me to teach in schools? Sorry if I’m misunderstanding your post.

[gillybeanz]

The instrumental teachers that taught (peri's) were grade 8 minimum, most have degrees or diplomas in music, there are lots of teaching courses offered by ABRSM but they can become expensive, but good cpd evidence on your cv

[gillybeanz]

It's never too late to learn, it will take you some time though as I'm sure you realise.

When you speak of sight reading do you mean playing from music you haven't seen before, like attempting a new piece or do you mean reading music?

The sight reading comes with practice, just playing lots of different music at the level you are at, to consolidate and the level above where you are at.

It is said that with normal practice you gain a grade per year, but if you have played already it could just be filling in the gaps at the lower levels and taking grade 5 within the year.

Theory is important especially if you want to teach, here again you can soon take a grade 5 theory, there are lots of apps and websites to help with this.
Do opt for ABRSM as some people won't look at any other board for practical or theory.

Good luck to you

I'm not a pianist but have been involved in music for about 45 years