Category Archives: beginners / elementary Level

Just Added: Large Staff for Simple Compositions

By joy (admin) | Published: 4 November 2011

With my Piano Readiness Class, we’ve been learning about staff notation.  Last week, each student composed a mini-composition on the piano and then we together notated the piece.  We used colorful markers to label the notes (A, B, C, etc) and also wrote in finger numbers, so they can continue playing their compositions at home. [...]

Also posted in composition, music theory, other resources | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Recent Purchases: Scale Blocks & A Technique Monkey

By joy (admin) | Published: 3 November 2011

I don’t know about you, but I’m always on the lookout for creative and inexpensive items for my teaching.  The dollar store is one of my favorite places to go! In the craft aisle at Dollar Tree right now, there are packages of foam cubes, as shown in the picture.  I’ve always wanted to make [...]

Also posted in games, music theory, private lessons, resources / links, settings:, studio class / group lessons, technique, what I'm up to | Tagged , , , , , , , | 15 Comments

Just Added: Musical Alphabet Cards

By joy (admin) | Published: 28 October 2011

There are others who have shared alphabet card printables similar to what I’m posting today, but I’m adding mine to the mix anyway.  :)  I wanted some that would work well to print onto colored cardstock paper.  Since I don’t have a color printer, this is an easy way I can still get colorful things [...]

Also posted in early childhood music, games, group keyboard classes, music theory, other resources, piano camps, printables, private lessons, studio class / group lessons | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

2011 OhioMTA Conference (4): Piano Pedagogy 101, by Marvin Blickenstaff

By joy (admin) | Published: 18 October 2011

Here’s another session given by the well-loved pedagogue Marvin Blickenstaff from the 2011 OhioMTA Conference: Piano Pedagogy 101: Reviewing the Basics Mr. Blickenstaff introduced this session by commenting that at conferences and workshops, we often hear ideas for teaching intermediate and advanced students, but we don’t very often hear ideas for teaching beginners during that [...]

Also posted in 2011 OhioMTA Conference, group keyboard classes, improving as a teacher, studio class / group lessons | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

Just Added: Rainy Rhythm Game

By joy (admin) | Published: 22 September 2011

I’ve mentioned before that during grad school, I took an Early Childhood Music course.  One of the things we discussed was using the “sound before sight” philosophy – where the student is exposed to and experiences the concepts before being taught the name or the written notation.  I’ve been doing my best to use this [...]

Also posted in early childhood music, games, group keyboard classes, other resources, piano camps, printables, private lessons, rhythm, studio class / group lessons | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Carpet Squares for Working With Groups

By joy (admin) | Published: 12 September 2011

Many months ago, I bought a bunch of carpet square samples from a flooring store.  Even though I was still in grad school at the time and didn’t have any real use for them (yet), I had a plan for them.  And they were incredibly cheap.  :) During last week’s Piano Readiness Class, I got [...]

Also posted in games, group keyboard classes, intermediate level, piano camps, settings:, studio class / group lessons | Tagged , , , | 8 Comments

Just Added: Piano Hands Hunt game

By joy (admin) | Published: 8 September 2011

I have two 5-year-old students signed up for a Piano Readiness Class, and our first class was yesterday!  We had such a fun time.  We sang songs, listened to music to find/walk to the beat, traced our hands to learn about RH/LH/finger numbers, and more.  Best of all, we played the Piano Hands Hunt game [...]

Also posted in early childhood music, games, movement, other resources, studio class / group lessons | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

MiniMusic Kit for Early Childhood Music Classes

By joy (admin) | Published: 11 August 2011

In my last post, I mentioned the MiniMusic kit by Paula Manwaring (Kjos Publishing) that I purchased while I was at the NCKP conference.  The photos and description of this curriculum on the Kjos Publishing website do not do it justice!  So I decided to show you some photos I took myself.  I think many [...]

Also posted in 2011 NCKP, conferences, early childhood music, piano camps, resources / links, studio class / group lessons | Tagged , , , , | 9 Comments

A-G Animals for Young Beginners

By joy (admin) | Published: 4 July 2011

Happy 4th of July!  Today, America celebrates Independence Day.  My parents have come over to visit us and see our new place, and we have a fun day of activities planned.  :) My husband and I are still exploring our new town and figuring out where things are.  It’s kind of fun!!  :)  Last week, [...]

Also posted in early childhood music, games, studio class / group lessons | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

May 2011 Giveaway: “Fearless Fortissimo” Piano Music for Boys

By joy (admin) | Published: 6 May 2011

Greetings!  Today I have two important announcements: I have finished all the requirements for my Master’s degree!  HOORAY!  =D Today we have a new GIVEAWAY!  Here are the details: Andrea & Trevor Dow from yesterday’s interview have kindly agreed to sponsor a giveaway of Episode 1 of The Adventures of Fearless Fortissimo!  This pdf is [...]

Also posted in giveaways, intermediate level, motivation, private lessons, repertoire/methods | Tagged , , , , | 39 Comments
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