C-flat, isn't that the best way to learn? You get as far as you can with the techniques you've got. Then when you realise your technique is letting you down, you go learn some new ways of doing stuff to get you a bit further.

That way, you go into the lessons knowing what needs improving, and *you* can drive the lessons to learn what you need most. Sure, it's up to the teacher to teach you that as best they can, so a singing teacher will take you right back to basic breathing for example, but it's all working towards a specific aim of yours, rather than just sitting down in the lesson and saying "teach me something".

If you tried just learning all the technique to start with, without actually playing anything, how boring would that be?!

Graham.