Written by Laurie Niles
Published: October 16, 2015 at 4:58 AM [UTC]
Of course it's very normal to have more than one violin teacher over a lifetime, but how about studying with more than one teacher, at the same time?
The argument for having more than one teacher at a time is that it allows a student to get multiple perspectives, to perhaps study several different styles at once, to be more thorough. Or that one teacher can supplement another.
On the other side of the coin: one may find that the teachers have conflicting ideas and demands - for example, one wants the bow held one way, and one advocates another way. One might as for a certain fingering for scales, or for a particular bowing in a concerto. Also, the teachers are likely to assign different etudes, scales and pieces -- is there enough time for that?
In some situations, two different teachers may coordinate to teach a student, as in the case of husband-wife teaching team Almita and Roland Vamos, or a university teacher and that teacher's graduate assistant.
What do you think? Does it work to have more than one teacher? What are your experiences with this situation? When can it work, and when can it be a problem? Please share your thoughts in the comments below.
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That being said, I've found it very helpful to have plural teachers, although not always helpful when the teachers knew I was working with more than one...that surprised me at first...doesn't so much now.
Different fingerings for scales or bowings for a piece? Take the time to learn them both.
Teachers assigning different material? Take from 2 teachers ONLY IF you are willing to put in the practice time for each of them. (Suggested minimum - 1 hour-per-day per teacher.) Alternatively, one can study pieces in depth with one teacher, and fundamental technique (bowing skills, scales) with another (or some such arrangement).
The bow hold problem: I was exactly in this situation. After many months of 2 teachers each suggesting different corrections to my bow hold, I spent 3 hours one afternoon carefully examining what they were both suggesting and what I was doing, and looking for a solution that would please each of them. I did not tell either of them what I had done, and waited for their responses. Corrections ceased from both of them! In the end, they wanted the same thing, but were expressing it differently. I just had to take the time to figure that out.
Studying with multiple teachers requires a committed, mature attitude, as well as good management skills.
I've often had teachers who would take summers off, and therefore send their students to study with one or more other teachers during the summer. Those were all great experiences; you get the benefit of a different perspective for a bit, and often a little boost from whatever it is that teacher is especially good at teaching.
And of course, masterclasses and other occasional coaching also tend to give you at least one good takeaway for each bit of time spent.
The more advanced you are, the more readily you can incorporate multiple perspectives into your own playing (and ignore things that don't fit).
Now I have a new teacher in California who plays and teaches both instruments and she seems to be quite happy and comfortable to do so, so I'm back to one teacher.
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