Choosing A Piano Teacher: Virtuoso Pianist Or Excellent Educator?
So you want to learn piano – and you’ve decided to take lessons. The decisions you make when choosing a piano teacher can significantly shape your musical journey. It’s not just about who is available. It’s also about finding a balance between technical prowess and teaching excellence…
As a champion of all things musically self-taught, I have to remind you that you don’t need a teacher to learn to play the piano. My Progressive Piano sheets can get you started, and I have hundreds of watch-and-copy tutorials for you to enjoy, too. But for now, let’s assume you’ve decided against teaching yourself, and you’re facing the task of choosing a piano teacher. What qualifications and skills should they have? I have personally navigated this from both student and teacher perspective, and I would say there are broadly two types of teacher:
The Virtuoso Pianist
Firstly, the ‘virtuoso pianist’. These teachers have excellent piano skills, but might not be the best of educators. They may have a teaching qualification on paper but their teaching approach is often significantly narrowed or limited by their own rigid learning experience. Typically, they will have become a pianist first, and then added on their teaching practice.
The Excellent Educator
Secondly, there is the ‘excellent educator’. These teachers have an undeniable passion for teaching. Often former schoolteachers, they naturally and effortlessly make things clearer, regardless of whether they are explaining upper and lower tetrachords, Pythagoras’ Theorem, or the offside rule. They may have piano grades or diplomas, but probably don’t play public concerts. In fact, they will be more interested in coaching your skills than demonstrating any of theirs. They might have developed their piano skills in childhood and beyond, but typically they will have trained as excellent educators first, and branched out into piano teaching later, either as a career change or in semi-retirement, for example.
Advantages of Choosing A ‘Virtuoso’ Piano Teacher
What is a virtuoso? It’s someone who achieves exceptional technical ability and expressive mastery over the piano. These are the maestros who mesmerize audiences with their breathtaking performances.
Learning from a virtuoso offers a window into the world of high-level piano performance. They can teach techniques that are not just textbook, but honed through years of rigorous practice and performance. There can be something incredibly motivating about being in the presence of a musical genius. For those who dream of professional performance careers, studying under a virtuoso can provide a glimpse of what’s possible with dedication and hard work. Choosing a virtuoso piano teacher can push you to excel, often setting bars that seem just out of reach. If you’re up for the tough challenge, the heavy commitment and the hard slog, this can lead to rapid growth.
Disadvantages Of Choosing A ‘Virtuoso’ Piano Teacher
Not all virtuosos are natural teachers. The skills that make an outstanding performer aren’t the same as those that make a great teacher. Communication gaps can arise, particularly with less experienced students. Sometimes, the awe-inspiring ability of a virtuoso can feel overwhelming rather than motivating, particularly if you’re a beginner. Most importantly, beware the One-Size-Fits-All approach. Virtuosos often teach exactly as they were taught, without much flexibility around alternative approaches. This can be frustrating for those who need more tailored guidance.
Advantages Of Choosing An ‘Excellent Educator’ Piano Teacher
What makes a good teacher? Excellent educators might not dazzle with virtuosic solos, but they have a deep understanding of pedagogy, communication, and student psychology.
Excellent educators know instinctively how to use key educational techniques, such as the plan-assess-review cycle and principles of differentiation and scaffolding. They are probably as passionate about teaching as they are about music! They excel in crafting lessons that match the student’s individual learning style, pace, and emotional needs. In doing so, they naturally make learning more accessible and enjoyable. Always flexible and ready to pivot at a moment’s notice, they focus on building whatever foundation is required – music theory, sight-reading, technical skills, ear-training – to ensure their students reach their individual goals. The learning environment they create is supportive and less pressured; ideal for nurturing long-term love and interest in music.
Disadvantages Of Choosing An ‘Excellent Educator’ Piano Teacher
While highly skilled, some educators may not have the same virtuosic flair and hunger for preparing you for a professional performance career. Their focus can lean more towards enjoyment and educational outcomes rather than strengthening you for the rigors of performance. If you’re a career-oriented student, this may not be ideal. In forging a comfortable learning pathway, they may inadvertently make you too comfortable, rather than push you to explore the edges of your abilities.
Choosing A Piano Teacher To Match Your Goals
Before choosing a piano teacher, you have to be clear about your own goals and understand where you are on your musical journey. If you’re a beginner, you might find more joy and less frustration with an excellent educator. If you’re an advanced student already, or if you’re considering a professional piano career, you will benefit more from the expertise of a virtuoso.
The Personal Touch
Either way, don’t hesitate to try lessons with different teachers. Aside from your teacher’s virtuoso or educational prowess, you really need to find someone you feel comfortable with on a personal level. Seeing firsthand what works for you can be more enlightening than any advice or recommendation. Your needs may change as you progress, too, so at some point, you might find yourself choosing a piano teacher all over again!
Final Thoughts
- Statistically, most piano learners are beginners or early intermediates. Advanced players and career pianists are probably not reading this. So for the vast majority of learners, I would recommend choosing a piano teacher who falls into the ‘excellent educator’ category.
- A fully-qualified schoolteacher or ex-teacher is ideal. Provided they have the piano skills you need, their teaching ability, experience, flexibility and sensitivity to your needs is likely to be superior to someone with just a piano teaching qualification.
- Even excellent educators might have teaching limitations. We can’t teach what we don’t understand. If you’re looking for something other than classical training (e.g. jazz, lead sheets, playing by ear, improvisation, composition) you need to find an educator that can do those things. Don’t assume: ask them to demonstrate, and see if it’s what you’re looking for.
- It’s possible you might find an excellent educator who is also a virtuoso player (I never have.) But if you do, they will probably be fully booked, or far too expensive!
- Whoever you choose, remember who is paying who. You are the customer. They are providing the service. If they talk like they’re doing you a favour – move on! Some teachers think they are entitled to your money without giving you good value.
- Finally – let’s go back to the start: you don’t need a teacher to learn to play piano! Give self-teaching some serious thought before dismissing the idea. This free eBook tells you 16 great reasons to teach yourself to play piano. Check it out!
Have you studied under a ‘virtuoso’? Or an ‘excellent educator’? What did you like or dislike?
What qualities do you look for in a piano teacher?
When did a teacher’s style profoundly affect your progress?