Tag Archives: games

Just Added: Musical Leaves Matchup game

By joy (admin) | Published: 10 November 2011

This is a short music game I created as a way to reinforce the names of the piano keys with young beginners.  It only takes a few minutes to play, but my students seemed to enjoy it.  It gives them a break from the usual drill I do, where I have them find 3 different [...]

Posted in beginners / elementary Level, games, group classes, music camps, Preschool / Early Childhood Music, printables, private lessons, seasonal / holiday | Also 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 [...]

Posted in beginners / elementary Level, games, group classes, music theory, private lessons, resources / links, settings:, technique, what I'm up to | Also tagged , , , , , , | 15 Comments

Halloween Activities

By joy (admin) | Published: 31 October 2011

I don’t normally do much for Halloween, but I am doing a couple of little things this year with my students: Trick or Treat game: I found this game on D’Net’s Layton Music website.  Basically, students “earn” their Halloween treat by clapping rhythms!  When my students came to their lessons last week, we started with [...]

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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 [...]

Posted in beginners / elementary Level, games, group classes, music camps, music theory, other resources, Preschool / Early Childhood Music, printables, private lessons | Also 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 [...]

Posted in 2011 OhioMTA, beginners / elementary Level, group classes, improving as a teacher | Also 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 [...]

Posted in beginners / elementary Level, games, games, group classes, music camps, other resources, Preschool / Early Childhood Music, printables, private lessons, rhythm | Also tagged , , , , , , , | 9 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 [...]

Posted in beginners / elementary Level, games, group classes, intermediate level, music camps, settings: | Also tagged , , | 8 Comments

Beginner Piano Game: Piano Hands Hunt

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 [...]

Posted in beginners / elementary Level, games, group classes, movement, other resources, Preschool / Early Childhood Music | Also tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Teacher Feature | Diane Heath

By joy (admin) | Published: 1 September 2011

The new month brings us a new teacher feature!  Say hello to Diane, everyone! Name: Diane Heath Studio name: Heath Music Studio Website: www.dianeheath.org Please tell us about your piano and/or teaching background. I teach part-time, with a studio of 20 – 25 students, and am also a church musician in Washington, DC.  For over twenty years I’ve [...]

Posted in games, interviews, recitals / performances | Also tagged , , , , , | 6 Comments

Flashcard Prompts for Improvisation & Composition

By joy (admin) | Published: 11 July 2011

Today I have a fun new printable to share! Students are sometimes at a loss for topics for improvising or composing, so I like to provide prompts — similar to the way Creative Writing classes often provide prompts.  :)  Remember those Story Cubes?  That’s one great way to provide prompts.  These flashcards are another. This 12-page [...]

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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, [...]

Posted in beginners / elementary Level, games, group classes, Preschool / Early Childhood Music | Also tagged , , | 4 Comments

Forum Q&A | Group Lessons: Benefits and Activities

By joy (admin) | Published: 10 May 2011

Last week, we talked about the logistics of having group lessons — how often, how to schedule them, etc. — and we received a few great responses.  Thanks so much!! This week, perhaps we can continue the discussion: What kind of activities can be conducted during group lessons?  Do your students have a favorite activity? [...]

Posted in Forum Q&A's, group classes | Also tagged , , | 1 Comment
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