I had several years of formal Classical Piano Lessons, Practial & Theory:
Classical Piano Lessons ---> Sit student in front of piano, scream and shout, and if they do anything wrong, crack them over the knuckles with a ruler. Be reluctant to waste time explaining much, just keep them at it - they'll suck it in by osmosis!

My father, who was a very talented amateur Classically trained violinist, threatened to go insane/put me with a different teacher (second worked!) unless she gave me extra pieces - I was only allowed to play all year the 9 pieces needed (from memory 3 choices for each of the three sections of the AMEB) - as he was beginnig to go crazy from my limited rep!

He taught me that "faster and louder" was not good music (something that still tends to make me lose interest in many "Irish Sessions"!) and showed me that TECHNICAL CONTROL was the key. He showed me that he could do a constant volume, steady single note (or tune) on a single bow strike that could take a long, long time. He could also play "Hot Canary" as fast as you could hear it...

When pressured by my teacher to enter the local country town eisteddford, they agreed reluctantly. My teacher never trusted me after that. Not only did I get a second prize for piano, and a Special for singing, I did the best of all her students.... :-)

I have always tended to "charge" from an audience - I did some Theatrical stuff later on.

I wnet to a differnt much better teacher for a few weeks, then she go a job outside town, so I was more or less left alone, as I didn't want to go back to the previous one. The new one sat me down at a Grand instead of an upright. The difference was amazing. I think most probrlrms caused to piano students are from poor teachers who "go through the paces" rather than respond to their students, and bad upright pianos!

I also did a year on Pipe Organ, learning the techniques. This helpe enormously when I took up the Piano accordion recently.

Recently I have taken up several other instruments, with minimal tuition. Having learnt the rudiments of Theory, all I need to grasp is the technicalities of an instrument. Much of that can be done from books, or even by ear, but I do need to ask a few questions from time to time.

I ALWAYS tell people to get some real tuition from someone competent. I have even had a few occassional students myself.

I have a nice story about a violinist who taught himself mostly. He used to go to Brisbane for his 2 weeks rec leave and study at the Conservatorium of Music, and practice by himslef the rest of the year, as there was no violin teacher in town. He was very keen, but picked up many bad habits. He did have a regular bowing pattern, playing all pieces with random bowings each time. Classical violinists are taught to bow regularly - it gives phrasing, etc. In ensemble playing, those playing the same part (eg, 1st violin) have their bows going the same way - it looks better, as well as giving the same sound for the whole orchestral section. He also could not change from one note to the next without sliding most of the time! My father claimed that he was the only violinist he had met who could slide an open string! :-) This may have been OK for folk/bluesgrass.etc, but was horrendous for Classical or Musical Theatre!

But there are 3 words that are the most important

Practice, Practice, Practice!

And the most important thing for muso to do

Listen!

Robin