My Story: "Oh, I can't play this piece"

 Looking back, I see that I had written previously about how I had chosen Mrs. C as my teacher rather than Mr. B's former teacher. I also said that I probably should delve into reasons why this happened. I'm going to try and incorporate this into the next part of my story. 

   When choosing a new piano teacher, there's a lot to factor in. Especially at advanced levels. As I quickly found out, not all teachers accept advanced students. When I first started taking lessons with Mrs. C., there were several things. She didn't live too far away -- she was situated in the nearest town, the same area where we did all our grocery shopping. So she was convenient. Also, I was quite shy in my childhood and teens. Where Mr. B was concerned, we had known him, his wife, and both of their families from church. But now I was forced, for the first time in years, to go to a complete stranger for lessons. I wanted a female teacher, because I thought I'd be more comfortable with a female teacher. 

   Convenience. Comfort. Qualifications. That was as far as my parents and I looked. At that stage, I was in my teens, and they were definitely asking for my feedback on what I wanted in a teacher. And those were the things that were important to me.

   However, we soon ran into a problem. After I had been taking lessons for two years with Mrs. C., and was already on my way to my Grade 10 exam, Mrs. C entered a new stage of her personal life and drastically reduced her studio size and teaching hours. 

   By that time, I had matured a little. I also knew that I had exhausted the options for convenience, because Mrs. C had been the only local teacher accepting advanced students. 

   So, with shaking hands and a racing heart, I dialed the phone number for Mr. B's former teacher, Mr. F. 

   Yes, he was taking advanced students. Yes, he could absolutely help me prepare for my exam. And by the way, wasn't I one of Mr. B's former students? (That question was somewhat reassuring. It gave me an open door -- and slightly more confidence in myself -- to know that my former teacher had recommended me to his very incredible former teacher!) 

   So Mom and I went to meet him. 

   For that first meet-and-greet, I played him Debussy's Arabesque No. 1. Now, you have to realize something about this beautiful, famous piece. I loved that piece to bits and pieces. But we had a CD that included a recording of that piece, and I hated the recording. I didn't have the terminology to express it back then, but the pianist who had recorded it had played it with poor tone quality and a lack of an appropriate, Impressionist touch. You don't have to know what that means. If you knew how beautiful that piece could be, like the flow of running water, and you heard it played mechanically, you would agree with me that the pianist on the recording had ruined the piece. 

   Mr. F's opening comment, when he saw what I was playing, was, "Oh, I don't know how to play this piece." 

   Then, after I had played it, he took my book to show me how one section ought to be played.

   Instantly I was mesmerized. 

   His tone was liquid silver. It was the most gorgeous performance of that piece I have ever heard. Everything that piece was meant to be was captured in that instant, under the fingers of a master musician who was, according to him, sight-reading. 

   Needless to say, without any further hesitation, we signed up for lessons under him! My only regret, ever, was that I hadn't gone straight to his tutelage after Mr. B had moved. 

   The take-away from this is: When you're looking for a teacher, don't just pick the one closest to you without exploring other options. Your child's comfort level is important. Convenience should be secondary to everything else. But there's a difference between the qualified teacher and the quality teacher. Make sure you know you're getting what you want. 

   I can't sight read like Mr. F can. I'll admit it. But I hope to be a teacher and a musician that he will be proud of. 

P.S. If you think I might be the teacher you're looking for, for yourself or your child, click here to get in touch.