Update: Remember this series we ran last year? After talking with several readers and colleagues, we found out everyone wanted to still see them. So we’re running the series again to share our favorite teaching tips with you. These are the little techniques and tricks we love to pull out to enhance our teaching everyday. Most take very little planning, so this post is just a reminder for us to add something new into our daily routines. We hope you enjoy reviewing these tactics with us!


We’re starting a new series today called “Tuesday Teaching Tactics.”  Every Tuesday (or hopefully most Tuesdays) we’ll bring you a quick teaching idea that you can apply to your teaching right away.  It’s easy to get into a teaching rut, always teaching things the same way.  We’re hoping these quick ideas will help you approach things in a new way and get you out of that rut!

Teaching Tactic #1 – Clap and count the rhythm with dynamics

You may frequently have your students clap and count the rhythm of the piece.  But have you ever had them clap and count with dynamics too?  This can be a great way to practice a gradual crescendo and decrescendo without the added physical and mental challenge of playing the notes as well.  It’s also a good way to change it up if your student complains about clapping rhythms too much.

Give you a try and let us know how it goes!

Author: Spring

Spring Seals, NCTM, teaches 60 piano students ranging from age 3 to 70 in Fort Worth, Texas. She also serves as the Director of Certification for TMTA. She is passionate about helping teachers become more effective in their studios through professional development, new resources, and fresh ideas.