David Shimoni Piano Lessons
Introduction: One way is my teaching of technique. Playing the piano is a physical activity. Not many teachers can explain how to play in a coordinated way, either because they struggle themselves or because they have such a natural way of playing that they never had to figure it out. Early in my career I made every mistake that I could have before I met some wonderful teachers and spent a number of years relearning how to play. As a result, I can help my students work through most challenges that their music presents.
Listening to my students play beautifully
Overview
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Musical style
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Reviews
Excellent 4.9
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Jonathan T.
Mar 19, 2015
I have been playing the piano on and off for years, since I was a child. I recently started to get more serious about my piano playing but after a while I realized I am running into technical obstacles - something was just not right.
Haven't had a teacher for many years, I decided to try 3-4 teachers. David was by the far the most patient and provided immediate insight, so I decided to learn with him. For the first months, I had to unlearn some bad habits and learn proper hand/finger formation and movement.
After a while, I started playing whole pieces again. David can observe from the side and has great technical insight if corrections are to be made, both technically and musically. I felt like I am learning something new and right almost each lesson.
Looking back, after learning with David, I can't believe I played many years in a different technical manner. Everything that I learned with him I apply to new pieces I learn or old ones I get back to. David truly helped me transform the manner in which I play and practice.
The only "negative" thing I can say about him is that he is too nice and should have been a little bit harsh on me when I got lazy (but then again, I am a 38 years old person).
Barbara Z.
Mar 21, 2015
My family has had three very rewarding experiences working with David.
I was a fairly serious piano-player until my 20s, then played off and on. When I was 49 I decided that I'd like to mark my 50th by giving a short piano recital. David was willing to take up the challenge of working with me. He started by literally re-teaching me techniques, which on the one-hand was frustrating in the short-term and on the other hand was absolutely necessary in the long-term. He guided me in selecting appropriate repertoire - challenging, but not so extremely difficult that I could't handle it. And he patiently worked with me for a year as I learned Brahms, Schubert, Bach, and others. And, with his help, I did it. My recital was one of the most rewarding things I've ever done. David helped me technically and musically, but was also extremely supportive emotionally as I grappled with nerves, self-doubt, frustration, etc. along the way.
On another note, David taught both my children, now 15 and 13. My now-13 year-old son had some talent, but was a distracted student. David worked with him patiently for 2 years, and my son's playing improved. He just never practiced. Finally, I realized that no amount of maternal nagging was going to get a teenager to do something he wasn't into, and I told David I thought we should stop. I credit David with being completely understanding and agreeable -he wasn't trying to 'keep' a student for the sake of a lesson fee.
And finally, my daughter started lessons with David after having had lessons for several years with another teacher. David worked on re-doing her technique. It took a bit of time for her to get into the groove, but now she is really enjoying her practicing, enjoying her lessons, and making fast progress.
From all of this, I can safely say that David is an adaptable, flexible teacher, who has his student's best interests at heart. I would highly recommend him as a teacher. Try him!
Alex R.
Mar 21, 2015
I started lessons with David in my early thirties (I had played drums for many years but not much piano) and was blown away by how quickly he recognized the particular ways that I learn. I never once felt like he was running me through the same lessons he'd done with other students, which is an issue with many teachers. He was focused and attentive 100% of the time while maintaining a sense of humor and never being "strict" in the way that classical piano teachers can be (as distinct from "precise" and "attentive to detail," both of which he is). He knew how to challenge me in ways that were fun, and how to keep me just slightly uncomfortable so that I learned rapidly without feeling overwhelmed. He's also excellent at articulating the wide variety of sensations (physical, emotional, and psychological) involved with learning to play an instrument.
David is also an exceptionally compassionate and generous person and his presence next to me at the piano was always a positive one, equal parts challenging and supporting. I really cannot recommend David Shimoni highly enough as either a piano teacher or a human being.
It may also be worth noting that I'd sometimes leave my lesson and see a child coming down the hallway for theirs, running ahead of their parent, smiling and excited to see David, which lead me to believe his magic works on children as well as an overly intellectual 32 year-old.
Helen N.
Apr 13, 2015
I always wanted to learn how to play the piano and it wasn't until the age of 29 that I decided that there was no better time than now to start taking lessons. As a beginner, I am so thankful to have David as my teacher. He stressed the importance of technique even though he knows that I just really want to learn how to play so I could show off at a dinner party. Without this, I wouldn't have progressed as quickly as I have. He is incredibly patient, which is what I like most about him as a teacher. Given that I started with David as a true beginner, he had to go over the same things repeatedly, for months on end, and he was never once impatient. He also thinks about his students outside of his lessons and that speaks volumes. I only like certain types of music and am quite stubborn about only playing what I like. He not only understands this but will send me links to songs and brings pieces of music to our lesson because I often have difficulty finding pieces that I like or that are the right fit for my skill level.
If it weren't for David's steadfast positivity, his kindness and his genuine desire to see me grow and learn as a piano player, I would not still be taking lessons from him three plus years later. Luckily for me, that is not the case and I look forward to having many more lessons with him. I highly recommend David as a teacher!
Carol H.
Mar 19, 2015
David is an incredibly effective piano teacher. He puts an emphasis on technique that stays with you with every piece you attempt, and patiently works with you until you get it exactly right. My playing improved greatly while I was under his tutelage.