Switching Private Teachers

[290Piika]

I have had two private teachers for flute; one at my local music store who is about 40ish and is in my BD's band, and one (my current) who is in her late 20s and seems to specialize more on oboe than flute.

The problem is, with my current teacher, I don't feel as though I'm improving much. We focus almost soley on the Rubank Method Book exercises, and I just play through them each week after practicing them. There's little sight-reading, tone exercises, or instruction and critique. I'm *hoping* to get the teacher that nearly all our top flutes have had in recent years and is the principal flautist in our local Philharmonic. I just don't know how I should tell my current teacher that I want to switch. :\

Have you ever switched private teachers? What circumstances did you switch upon? How did you tell your teacher that you wanted to switch? How did he/she take it?

[bandman001]

I agree with what bandtan says. You need don't have to convince your old teacher though, so just tell her that you want to change teachers. If she is a professional, she'll understand.

[Duel of the Flutes]

I've switched teachers before, and like people said before, you HAVE to be honest. Tell her that you don't feel like you're learning as much as you should be anymore. People grow out of teachers like they do shoes. You eventually get to the point where you really can't learn any more from them. And it sounds like you've gotten to that point.

One thing you can do is let her know that you found a new teacher you'd like to try taking lessons from for a while. This way, you can also have something to fall back on if it doesn't work with your new teacher. And if you do like your new teacher, you can always let her know that you are going to continue with your new teacher.

Looking for a new teacher can also be tricky, though. I know you said you were already looking at someone, but I would definitely recommend that you check around a bit, too. Some teachers can be great for some people, but not so great for others. Almost all new teachers will recommend a trial lesson before you commit, anyways, so they'll understand if you don't want to take from them. Also, don't be afraid to look at universities. Just because they're going to college doesn't mean they're not as good as those who are already playing professionally. I took lessons from a doctoral student for 3 years, and she's one of the best flutists I've ever met in my life.