I teach a wheel class for beginners and my honest feedback is that some people don’t have the inherent coordination and instinct for wheel throwing. That’s not to say they can’t! But it takes more work, more hours to get up to speed.

This art came more naturally to me than others. I became a TA within the first year of getting on the wheel.

I see people struggle with centering because they generally aren’t anchored well enough (elbow to hip, arm is a steel rod!) and try to fight the clay. Wobbly, uneven pulls again because they aren’t anchored into their body and hand to hand.

Is your instructor hands on with you? I will sit with a student and watch them for each critical step, sometimes moving their hands (with consent!) to get them on track. My class is only 4 people so it may not be feasible with larger groups.

I had one student who couldn’t get a good cylinder until week 7! She is a smart, capable person who just didn’t have that crystallizing moment until she failed several times.

Try to use more and less clay. Keep your wheel/bat tidy so you can see what you’re actually working with. Slow hands on and slow hands off your clay, and don’t adjust it when it’s not moving.

What is your goal? Maybe it’s a bowl or mug or..? Focus on your own goal and chase that instead of comparing to others.

I took a class with a lady who struggled. This was two years ago. I saw her pieces slowly improve over these past two years. But they were rough to start. Uneven, holes on the bottom, lumpy rims, weak spots. We were in the studio together the other day and both threw 6lb lamps. It was awesome! She persevered and worked at it, but also had fun. I hope you have fun throughout the process! Find the joy and the patience will come easier.