The Piano Guide Review

Taking Piano Lessons Again and Gifted 16 Year Old Student by Georgia Zoe Schohl

Q. I had a question about learning piano over the years by stopping lessons and starting up again. I'm a busy adult who started lessons as a child and then stopped. After a few years, as a young adult I started lessons again with a new teacher because I moved. Then I got busy with family, work, and travel and could not keep up with the lessons. Now I don't travel much anymore and I have more time, and I want to start the piano lessons up again. I was just wondering with all this starting and stopping can I progress and become a good pianist?

G.L.T. , email

A. You didn't tell me how long you have been taking lessons as a child or an adult. But nevertheless, you can progress as a pianist if you have a plan and stick with it, no matter what. Determine what you goals are and see if they are realistic by speaking with the teacher you are going to work with. The new teacher will listen to you play and probably offer suggestions for you as well as suggest a plan and offer some advice. If the teacher has little or no experience with adult students, try meeting several other teachers before you make your decision.
After all, you are in charge and paying for the lessons.

You can set up a practice schedule for yourself and be realistic about your expectations. You will probably not have to start over again, but may have to review if your break from piano has been a few years. Some people don't even remember pieces they played a few years ago, so many times a review piece will seem new again.

Final advice: don't be too judgmental and be patient with yourself, and you will see results. You can't avoid practice time, so organize your practice schedule and spend time on your assignments. Even though you may not think you are improving immediately, the more time you spend on your pieces that better you get. Working with a supportive and understanding teacher is also key to getting you back on track again.

Q. My 16 year old daughter loves to compose music for the piano and I believe that she is very gifted and talented. People often tell me that I should look into opportunities like performing her pieces, entering competitions and even getting a recording contract. The problem is, she is a fine pianist also, and participates in a piano certificate program in our area which takes a lot of time to prepare for. I don't know what to do, should I encourage the composing or focus on the piano? She says she wants to major in piano in college.

M. Delnot New York

A. You didn't say what your daughter prefers to do! Seriously, she is only 16 years old at this point in time and has plenty of time to explore her musical options. I think that it is a great advantage for her as a composer to play piano. She can study and play compositions by great composers, which can help her learn effective compositional techniques. Playing piano is a great skill to maintain because it is so versatile.

How much time does she spend composing? Is it a leisure activity or is she really serious about it? You say that other people have told you to enter competitions and get a recording contract. It's one thing what other people say, and another what a professional says. Have you thought of getting her evaluated by a professional or people involved in the music industry? They may give you suggestions and options that your daughter can explore with the music gifts that she has.

Did you ask your daughter what she wants to do with her life? Oftentimes, students will change their college major at least once. In college she may meet like-minded students and teachers that can be very helpful. Whatever she decides to do with her music and career, your support will be greatly appreciated. But as she gets older, ultimately the decision will be up to her.