This is a very common and important question and I’m going to answer it as honestly as I can. Surprisingly, this doesn’t have to be as controversial a topic as it sounds. In some occasions there is a point at which some students can simply outgrow a teacher.
A common example of this is a student progressing past a teacher and needing someone with a larger range of experience and repertoire to continue to grow as a musician. This is something that teachers should be aware of and understand as a possibility. While it might be tough to see them go, letting a student progress to a higher level is something we should all strive for as teachers and sometimes it’s just best to let go. Keeping a student past the point of diminishing returns will only stunt their development and it could end up creating resentment. Many musicians will have a number of teachers over the course of their lives; it’s not something to be afraid of or avoid, it’s a part of musical development.
Another example is if a student wants to branch off into another genre of music that their teacher isn’t familiar or experienced with. Maybe you have a student trained in classical violin who decides they want to explore bluegrass and fiddling. Some teachers might turn up their noses at the idea of a different genre but it’s not something we can and should control. If a student wants to explore other genres of music with their instrument you should encourage them and help them however you can. If it’s beyond your abilities it might be best if you help them find another teacher that specializes in their desired genre possibly even an adjunct course at a local college in addition to lessons.
This can be a real touchy subject for many teachers and students but it’s not something that should get in the way of learning. If you are learning well and getting along with your teacher then you should continue to do so. If it’s time to move on, it’s time to move on. The best thing we can do as teachers is continue to help our students become the best musicians they can be. If they outgrow us it should only be taken as a compliment – after all, you laid the foundation for their progress and you’re part of the reason they have progressed so far!
Thanks again for joining me, Robert Estrin Robert@LivingPianos.com (949) 244-3729
3 thoughts on “Can You Outgrow a Music Teacher?”
I taught “pop” piano, which in my case meant “improvisational” piano. Through the course of my career I shared students on numerous occasions. The traditional teacher used piano literature with emphasis upon note reading, whereas I used the printed music only as a clue and instead emphasized mastery specific improvisational techniques, using popular music as the basis. The partnerships were in every case most successful, from the standpoint of both teachers.
My first piano teacher was very forthright about my having outgrown her, and I’ve had several teachers since then. As a result, I’ve rarely been disappointed when students have chosen to go with someone else, unless they lied about it, saying something like, “We’re going to take a break.” Even then, I don’t want to hold a student back or be involved in making music a negative experience for anyone. And, jazz piano teachers are a completely different thing – I want to work with as many as I can.
I had student who Isent part time to my teacher. It really worked out well