2016/09/08 01:05:16
eph221
Glyn Barnes
Thanks, the various comments echo my conflicting thoughts. It may very well be down to finding the right tutor. I think I might look for someone and initially just have a chat and get their opinion. But I really do need to define my objective first!



 
The one great thing about taking lessons as an adult is you can find the teacher that's best for you as opposed to being stuck with the teacher your mom and dad or..finds for you.  I got turned off to jazz by a scoundrel of a jazz teacher who smoked about a pack of pall malls through each of my 45 minute lessons.  He was a grouch and was disappointed in his own career prospects...taking it out on his students.  
 
I know alot of older men and womyn who enjoy classical guitar lessons as adults.  The repertoire is unmatched (except of course with piano).  It's very exciting music.  It's basically meant for adults as well...I mean that's the audience the works were written for in the first place!  It's very challenging and will require alot of practice time.  If you're in a major city I can  steer you in the right direction.
2016/09/08 08:29:49
Guitarhacker
Ahhhh yes... the search for the "right" teacher.  One who can build on your existing knowledge and skill base rather than to try and rebuild you from square one....
 
That is the problem that you will have. 
 
Locally, there are a few piano teachers. All of them have waiting lists and the better ones have waiting lists that can be months to years long. Some even have requirements for students before the teacher will agree to take them on as a student.  This may be easier to do in a larger town or city. Here, the towns and cities tend to be small and so the options for instruction is limited mostly to a few folks who play piano in church or college students majoring in piano/music and are willing to teach to make some side income. The ones that work from a music store as teachers tend to be like fast food workers.... there for the money because they don't want to flip burgers for 8 hrs and have a high turnover rate as well and mediocre skill levels compared to the private teachers. But.... it could be a place to start while waiting for a coveted slot to open up with one of the better private music teachers.

My first piano teacher was a 20 year old kid who played in a band, taught piano as a side gig, and liked to impress me by playing the pop hits on the radio for me on the piano after the lesson was done.  He didn't stay but just a few months when he announced he didn't have the time anymore to come to the house once a week, he had gotten a better job,  so I was enrolled into Mrs Leigh's piano music school. I had to go to her house.... and that story lasted 7 years.
2016/09/08 08:55:21
Mooch4056
Glyn Barnes
Thanks, the various comments echo my conflicting thoughts. It may very well be down to finding the right tutor. I think I might look for someone and initially just have a chat and get their opinion. But I really do need to define my objective first!



 
Hi 
 
I have a master degree in music Education -  I teach Piano, Guitar, any woodwinds or Brass instruments and Drums - Been using cakewalk and a member of this forum since 2005 -- we can do lessons on skype with just about any instrument you want --
 
With you being a fellow cakewalk user -  I am willing to give a couple lessons free  and maybe you can try out something until you find an instrument you really want to learn -- I am in Chicago so unless your around town we'd probably have to skpy these lessons which is no problem -- I have done many lessons via skpy 
 
 
Here is my Web site and contact information http://zionmusiclessons.com/
 
 
Whatever you decide to do good luck -- Music a of course my favorite art form! 
 
 
Paul 
2016/09/08 09:56:40
Glyn Barnes
Mooch4056
With you being a fellow cakewalk user -  I am willing to give a couple lessons free  and maybe you can try out something until you find an instrument you really want to learn -- I am in Chicago so unless your around town we'd probably have to skpy these lessons which is no problem -- I have done many lessons via skpy 
 



Well, Thanks! I will certainly consider that. I am in the UK so time difference may be an issue but not an insurmountable one for sure.
 
(I will have to learn to use Skype first )
2016/09/08 10:25:38
Mooch4056
Glyn Barnes
Mooch4056
With you being a fellow cakewalk user -  I am willing to give a couple lessons free  and maybe you can try out something until you find an instrument you really want to learn -- I am in Chicago so unless your around town we'd probably have to skpy these lessons which is no problem -- I have done many lessons via skpy 
 



Well, Thanks! I will certainly consider that. I am in the UK so time difference may be an issue but not an insurmountable one for sure.
 
(I will have to learn to use Skype first )




 
Awesome! Let me know what you decide. If you have a camera on your computer Skype is pretty simple to use. If it's not all ready on your computer  the software for Skype is here >>https://www.skype.com/en/...pe/skype-for-computer/
2016/09/08 11:23:44
craigb
Was Bapu your Master's thesis Paul? 
2016/09/08 12:28:10
Mooch4056
craigb
Was Bapu your Master's thesis Paul? 




 
I only Learned from the Bestest! 
2016/09/08 17:23:06
dmbaer
I came across this one day when I was researching what was meant by half-pedal technique.  An internet course might be worth trying - it will probably cost considerably less than a dedicated teacher for one thing (although being retired, that may or may not be an issue), and if you already read music and just want correct finger usage instruction, something like this might be the way to go.
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_hATjiqb2g
 
Warning, the teacher is really homely ... not!!!
2016/09/08 20:35:17
eph221
Glyn Barnes
Mooch4056
With you being a fellow cakewalk user -  I am willing to give a couple lessons free  and maybe you can try out something until you find an instrument you really want to learn -- I am in Chicago so unless your around town we'd probably have to skpy these lessons which is no problem -- I have done many lessons via skpy 
 



Well, Thanks! I will certainly consider that. I am in the UK so time difference may be an issue but not an insurmountable one for sure.
 
(I will have to learn to use Skype first )


 
 
Glynn there's many fabulous players in London of course.  My teacher at one point was a Lutenist for the Royal Shakespeare Company.  The spanish guitar centre located in the royal opera house is the place to get connected.  
2016/09/09 06:21:01
Glyn Barnes
dmbaer
 and if you already read music and just want correct finger usage instruction, something like this might be the way to go.
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_hATjiqb2g
 
Warning, the teacher is really homely ... not!!!


Finger usage is one point I have identified as a fundamental flaw in my playing. I tend to get "tied in knots" because I don't finger the notes correctly, and I am sure I hold my hands too flat.
I have an understanding of written music, but I have to take it slowly and decipher bits, I am not a fluent sight reader but I think practice would improve things there as I have the basics.
 
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