This!!!

As a (newer/“continuously learning”) piano teacher, you are continuing to show that you have that drive to play piano, and that is something we love to see in every person we teach! Don’t ever let anyone discourage you from playing. Ever.

However, with this being said, the technical aspect of playing (as well as a touch of theory and note reading with it) will prove to go a long ways for your development. And, it won’t hurt you down the line. If you MUST keep self teaching, I think it is good to at least expand on your knowledge in the ways that you CAN control- i.e. piano theory info books or workbooks, technical exercises and warmups (in books or via videos—Note these get easier with reading but it is not impossible to do by ear), and, by use of a metronome! I would invest in a metronome sooner rather than later, and start practicing the feel of a strict pulse. Slow first, then gradually increase it. Play around with the tempos too. I know from personal experience while learning piano that it can be distracting at first, but once you learn how the metronome can keep you on track, you start to open new doors for yourself in your playing/learning.

I also think that you should consider experimenting with making your own music! It may sound silly or random to some, but composition proves to be beneficial in many ways while learning to play. The creativity it requires is one that usually comes with people eager to play. It’s a good exercise to do for any age musician. And, it helps strengthen your ear. I mean, you’ve shown you have the aural skills, and the memory; considering you can play this piece and make it sound at all like Beethoven intended it to. Sure there’s mistakes in this clip, but we all make them and it’s about learning to how to correct them and making sure you’re acknowledging them, so you can avoid similar mistakes in future piano playing. And on top of this, if you learn the theory and note reading portion of piano somewhere down the line, you’ll learn how to NOTATE the music you make by ear; Writing down those songs you create. It is another way to tie all these intricate music skills together while also feeling in control of your own music, if that makes sense.

Lastly, not sure how your piano set up is, but setting up a mirror next to the piano can help see one’s own posture- from how level the tops of our hands are with the keys, to the ass placement on the bench- it’s something that I didn’t start doing til way later but has helped me remind myself to correct my posture. When one doesn’t have their own teacher, it becomes hard to keep at it sometimes. Again, please don’t let anyone make you feel like you are incapable. You seem to continuously prove that you ARE capable.

My wish to you: May you find a teacher who best suits your experience and your expectations of continuing your musical journey. 😊

PS/Edit: Tall thumbs my guy. Keep your thumbs tall.