Blog and Website of Piano Teacher Dan Shure

March 17, 2013

Headsmackingly Simple Trick For Teaching Eighth Note Subdivision

Hey All! Back with a second video for this year. This tip for teaching subdivision to kids who just don’t seem to get it, took me a few years to figure out. But when I did it was so dead simple I can’t believe I didn’t think of it sooner! It’s amazing that basically every student I’ve tried this with can now count and clap eighth notes no problem. What do we NORMALLY do as teachers? We will write eighth notes below the notes. Then we try to… more

January 21, 2013

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Teaching The Grand Staff To Kids Who Keep Using The Wrong Hand

Hey there! It’s been quite a while since I’ve posted any teaching tips here. Sorry bout that! I’m not going to blab a whole lot here, and let’s get straight to the video – with some explanation below! The issue is that kids sometimes have a tough time catching on to the fact that the grand staff is the piano sideways. Or the piano is the grand staff sideways… uhh… well, either way it’s sideways. The point is, they should know to… more

August 22, 2012

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Singing Up For Fall 2012! More Lessons in Holden!

NEW: Evolving Music & Worcester Music Academy will be teaming up to offer more piano lessons in Holden! Two great teachers from the Academy of Music will be coming to Evolving Music in Holden to teach more piano lessons starting this Fall 2012. I’ve had a waiting list for quite some time here, so this will be a great way to offer more lessons conveniently located in Holden. If you’re not sure, we’re located in the Pink Building at 800… more

August 15, 2012

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Exciting News for Fall Music Lessons 2012

Note: Blog readers – this is a special announcement for parents and students of Evolving Music. No piano teaching tips here, but more coming soon! But feel free to ignore this post unless you’re enrolled here, or you’re just curious Dear Parents / Students Beginning September 2012, I will not be able to teach as many lessons as I have in the past. In the last 12 months Evolving Music maintained a studio of about 38 students… more

April 16, 2012

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Quick Update – I’m Still Alive

Hey All! I see people are still visiting the site and signing up for the email list – thanks! I am still here, just very busy with a new business. I have been also still teaching students this year, and plan on giving you guys a post soon with some GREAT tips I’ve been trying this year! Look for that around maybe June. Hope you’re all well approaching recital… more

September 25, 2011

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Tips on How To Start Teaching Piano

Tweet Hey All! Its been a little while, but I think we’re all settling into Fall. I made this video a little while back as the second part to answer a question on how to begin teaching piano lessons. As a reminder, the question she asked was: This is literally my first time teaching piano and I’m just going to be teaching a few kids, but I am a little unsure of exactly what to do. I want to be able to get to know their skill levels… more

August 19, 2011

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AWESOME Note Reading Game for iPhone / Online – “Note Squish”

I’ve been using a note reading game on my iPhone for several months, called “Note Squish” with some impressive results. In the video, I’ll explain a little bit about the game, and then you’ll get to see a student playing it. I’ve tried many different note reading games on my iPhone, but this one really is the best (unless I missed one). There are several things I like about it. First of all, it’s actually FUN! The sound effects and graphics are… more

August 16, 2011

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What I Do At A Student’s First Piano Lesson (ages 6-10)

Hello! I recently received another question: So I am extremely new to the teaching world. This is literally my first time teaching piano and I’m just going to be teaching a few kids, but I am a little unsure of exactly what to do. I’m 16 and have a high level of piano, theory, and music skill. I’m just unsure of where to start. I want to be able to get to know their skill levels and then go from there hitting theory, sight reading, and ear… more

August 13, 2011

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Helping Students Ages 11-14 When Progress Has Stopped

I recently received another GREAT question about teaching piano students ages 11-14. Let me share it with you (summarized): I am struggling with a small group of my students and wanted your opinion. These students are 11 – 14 years old. They have all reached level 2B in Piano Adventures. They do not practice, or read notes very well, and have reached this level with hardly ever practicing …they’re progress has stopped. I give them lots of… more

July 5, 2011

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Another Tip To Help Your Student Find Beginning Hand Position

Hi Everyone! Here’s another quick video tip for helping your piano student find their beginning hand position. More ideas below, too! There’s basically three pieces of information you need to know, to find your beginning hand position. 1. HAND (right or left) 2. FINGER (which number) 3. NOTE (note name and which one on the piano) Most method books show beginning hand position with either a diagram or with “1 on __” under… more