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? [...]
Last week, we discussed ways to get books & materials for students, and methods of reimbursement. As always, I really enjoyed everyone’s contributions to this discussion! I think this fall, I’m going to try charging a non-refundable enrollment fee that reserves the student’s place in the studio and goes towards books & materials. If the [...]
Check out the new instrument we have at my home! I ordered this melodica on Amazon as a surprise for my husband for Valentine’s day, although I plan to make use of it too in the future. =) To play the melodica, you must blow very gently into the mouthpiece and starting pressing the keys. [...]
I got the idea for this craft from Kara’s Creative Place blog (thanks for the brilliant idea, Kara!). Ribbon Rings (Kara’s example is pictured at right) are a fun prop for movement activities with young students during group lessons, camps, or early childhood music classes. Kids love fluttering the ribbons of these props while they [...]
What follows are the notes I took from a session with Martha Hilley at the 2010 Michigan Music Teachers Association conference. FUNCTIONAL SKILLS ARE IMPORTANT TO EVERYONE ~ by Martha Hilley “Functional skills” include skills such as harmonization, improvisation, transposition, rhythm, and theory. There are many fun ways to incorporate functional skills into group/private settings. Today [...]
The first of a series of posts summarizing the 2010 Michigan Music Teachers Association conference. In this post: my notes from the “Theory & Improvisation as the PB&J of Music” session by Martha Hilley (Part 1).
This worksheet is intended for beginner/early elementary students who have learned basic note values and musical terms. The student is instructed to match the musical symbol pictured on the left to each corresponding term on the right. Terms covered include: treble clef and bass clef, basic rhythms (quarter note through whole note), and dynamics (piano through forte).
This worksheet is intended as a review of all the major five-finger patterns (5FPs) with flats; however, using the “WWHW” pattern template, students can easily figure out any 5FPs that they might not already be familiar with. This worksheet will help students become more familiar with the accidentals needed for each FFP and what each FFP looks like when played on the keyboard.
Developing a good sense of rhythm is one of the most challenging parts of being a piano teacher. It’s not something that arrives overnight, and it’s something that must be maintained as the student advances to music with more advanced rhythms and time signatures. It truly is something that must be developed. I’d like to [...]
Just added to the page of free Printables: Five-Finger Pattern Review (#’s) worksheet This worksheet is intended as a review of all the major five-finger patterns (5FPs) with sharps; however, using the “WWHW” pattern template, students can easily figure out any 5FPs that they might not already be familiar with. This worksheet will help students [...]
Just added to the Printables page: “The Listen & Sign Game.” This printable corresponds to the game originally described in this post – a game I used in a Piano Mini-Camp held about a month ago.
Just added: a new free, printable worksheet called: > Performing at the Piano Worksheet Just in time for the spring recital season, this fill-in-the-blank worksheet is intended to help prepare students for an upcoming recital or other performance by discussing stage presence and performance etiquette. Terms/concepts covered in the worksheet: Memorizing Applause Bowing Checking the [...]
Joy Morin is a piano teacher in Ohio. She enjoys keeping her teaching fresh with new ideas & resources.
