424: Creative Rote Teaching with TopMusicSheets Composer Laura Abshier

Too often, rote teaching is dismissed as basic or shallow. But in this episode with Laura Abshier, you’ll never see it the same way again. As one of our TopMusicSheets composers, Laura brings a fresh, imaginative approach to beginner teaching that's grounded in Music Learning Theory. We're going to explore her collection, learn how she uses movement, singing, and improvisation, and discover just how rich rote-based learning can be for young students.

• Laura shared her experience designing creative, beginner-friendly rote pieces.
• She explained how Music Learning Theory (MLT) shapes her composing and teaching.
• The role of movement, singing, and aural prep before notation.
• The importance of using simple rhythmic patterns in early pieces.
• She explained the use of call-and-response formats and fist pieces for young learners.
• Improvisation was highlighted as an essential, not optional part of the learning process.
• Laura demonstrated multiple pieces and how to unpack and teach each one.
• She encouraged teachers to reframe rote learning as deep, musical engagement.
• How these pieces can spark student creativity and compositional thinking.

Freebie for Podcast Listeners

• Download your Free Beginner Piece Variations - 30 ideas for your students to create variations of their pieces.

Links Mentioned

• Laura's Website: Piano Artistry Studio
• Laura's Music Cllections: PianoArtistryStudio.com/roots/
• Laura's YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/@RootsMusic88
• Find out more about TopMusicSheets here.

Today's Guest

Laura Abshier enjoys the art of teaching and seeks to give engaging, systematic, and creative instruction to her piano students. She and her husband currently maintain a private piano studio, where her niche is teaching younger beginners. She has developed five rote collections over the past eight years. As a teacher of beginners, Laura recognized a need for engaging yet pedagogical pieces created specifically for young (and very young!) students. Laura earned her Master of Music in Piano Pedagogy at the University of Missouri, studying under Dr. Peter Miyamoto, and her Bachelor of Arts in Music at Millikin University, studying with Dr. Ronald YaDeau.

Today's Sponsor

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