i have recently stopped piano lessons with my old teacher, and gone to someone else. I started with my old teacher when i was 8, im now 14, and only starting grade 4, and however much i practiced i never seemed to get very far, but im improving much quicker with my new teacher. What do you think about me only getting to grade four in 6 years? is it very slow???? plz reply.

Hi, no I don't think it's slow at all. I've been playing the flute for about 6 years and have just passed Grade 3.

I think everyone progresses at their own rate.

QUOTE (golden_angel @ Oct 23 2004, 09:26 PM)

i have recently stopped piano lessons with my old teacher, and gone to someone else. I started with my old teacher when i was 8, im now 14, and only starting grade 4, and however much i practiced i never seemed to get very far, but im improving much quicker with my new teacher. What do you think about me only getting to grade four in 6 years? is it very slow???? plz reply.

I don't think that's particularly slow. As long as you're enjoying it, that's all that counts.

I've known the very slowest take that long even to get to grade 1.

no its not slow. its much better to go at your own pace than rush

QUOTE (golden_angel @ Oct 23 2004, 08:26 PM)

i have recently stopped piano lessons with my old teacher, and gone to someone else. I started with my old teacher when i was 8, im now 14, and only starting grade 4, and however much i practiced i never seemed to get very far, but im improving much quicker with my new teacher. What do you think about me only getting to grade four in 6 years? is it very slow???? plz reply.

Don't worry about your progress through the grades. If you feel that you are making better progress under your new teacher, then you have done well to change.

I have been playing piano for 6 or 7 years now and i'm only on grade 4.
i'm doing it in december.

so i would say your not slow at all.
every one goes at there own pace.
and own speed.

So keep it up and keep practicing,

Davé

No it's not bad. I think usually that the rate of progression through the grades is mainly determined by the attitude of your teacher rather than the student themself (this has an effect but a much smaller one). Some teachers will take a long time to progress through the grades and will explore a lot of repertoire with their pupils between them; others will rush through the exams one after the other to get their pupils on to the next stage as soon as they can barely scrape through. In my opinion the former are far better teachers: they are teaching their pupils to play their instrument well and to appreciate and develop a wide repertoire. The latter are doing little more than helping their students acquire pieces of paper.

I would say that the chances are if you've taken a long time to get to grade 4 it's because you're a good, experienced grade 4 player rather than a slow learner. Be careful not to confuse yourself that higher grades necessarily means that you're better at your instrument: I am sure that there are grade 6 pianists that you are better than; and that there are grade 3 pianists that are better than you are. Playing is about more than exams since you have a lot of experience I'd say you're doing well, not badly, keep up the good work: and now that you have your new teacher remember it's not a race to grade 8, just a chance to learn more, exciting repertoire and take the exams when you're ready. Good luck with your future playing.

no of course its not bad. Go at your own pace!!!

Of course it isn't bad. And I bet you sight reading is far better than any grade 8 player!

as a teacher i agree with the things everyone has said. All people are different and learn at a different rate. It is so important to have the right teacher the most important thing is that you enjoy your playing. I do find it hard to teach pupils that just want to learn for fun and don't want to follow the structure of exams as i feel this is detrimental to their progress as it doesn't matter as much, but enjoyment should be the main focus of learning any instrument.

that's not bad at all!

That's not bad, although I've taken grade 7 and only played piano for 4 years.