We are all looking for good piano teachers… it took me eight years to find my mentor. I started the piano at the age of six. My parents were constantly looking for a piano teacher that could elevate my playing to the next level. I met many teachers and a lot of them were about to retire. There were also teachers that didn’t suit my personality. They expected my playing to be a certain way and I didn’t quite accept that. When I found my mentor, I couldn’t believe that it took me so long to find him. He is easygoing, smart, and comfortable to talk to. As a student myself, I have learned that there are many teachers that will never be compatible with you. In the long run, ask yourself if this is the right teacher for you.
Tip #1: Find a teacher that you feel comfortable talking to.
There were tons of teachers that I could never imagine having a conversation with. They weren’t bad, per se, but they were not great conversationalists. I wouldn’t tell them about my day, and I knew that in the very first initial meeting(s).
Tip #2: Find a teacher that actually helps you
There are teachers that will help you or they will help themselves. Helping a students means spending every time in addition to their lesson time to help your child. I spend about 10 minutes after the lesson to focus on teaching the child. I might even spend 15-20 extra minutes of my time to help your child. Find a teacher that does this!
Tip #3: Find a teacher that makes you feel comfortable
The parents are important too. You have to trust that this person has good intentions and that they are a competent teacher. If you don’t feel this way, then it may be time to change teachers.
Tip #4: Find a teacher that can elevate your child’s playing ability
I understand it takes time for a student to learn how to play, but you should be seeing results within the first couple of months. If your child is still not improving after a year, then their teacher is not teaching them correctly. Allowing a child to move on without taking the time to actually teach them is wrong. Do not let this happen to your child.
Tip #5: Find a teacher that hosts recitals
Okay, this may be kind of extra. Recitals are the bane of all music teachers. I like recitals, but I wouldn’t jump for joy to host them. They take TONS of work. The music teacher has to spend time planning rehearsal dates, hosting those rehearsals, making food, making flyers, and actually hosting the recital. Although recitals are something that I dread, I take the time to host them. I usually host two recitals a year, but I’m planning on hosting three this year. Recitals are absolutely necessary and students should be able to experience this.
I hope this helps and I wish you all the best in finding the best piano teacher for you and your child!
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Pocketfuloflearning 
My mother was one of the accompanists for the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. She had 9 children. All of us started piano lessons with her when we were 2. When we turned 6 and entered first grade, she passed us off to a new piano teacher. We also had to pick up a second instrument but before we could do that, we had to write a research paper (at the age of 6????!!!!) on the instrument, someone who played the instrument, or someone who composed for the instrument. I wrote my paper on Tchaikovsky and took up the violin. I also started voice when I was 10.
My favorite over the years was the violin. When I was in high school I played with the Texas A&I University Symphony, then the Corpus Christ Symphony, the Houston Symphony, the Texas A&M University Symphony, and the Brazos Valley Symphony.
I gave up the piano and violin when I moved to San Diego in 1993 and became a beach bum. I didn’t think the wet, salty air would be nice to my piano and violin. My husband, though, has two piano performance degrees and plays professionally in chamber music groups throughout Southern California as well as accompanies music and voice students at San Diego State University and in private lessons. So I’m good with just being a listener now.
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I would love for my children to play instruments as well and I think I would be happy just to hear them play 🙂
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