Some months ago, I found some fun faux keys at a craft store for $1 each (pictured below). I bought 12 of them.
(Can you guess where this is going?) 🙂
Continue reading to find out what I did with them! Plus, download a free 15-page resource of worksheets and more for major + minor key signatures and scales.
Read on.
I put my twelve faux keys on a large binder ring. Then, using a paint pen, I wrote the names of the 12 keys on the ends of each key.
At the beginning of the lesson when the students warms-up with their pentascales/scales/arpeggios, I can ask the student to randomly choose a key to see which one(s) we will review that day.
I’ve also been using these keys for simple activities such as asking students to draw scales or chords on paper or on a paper staff with glass gems. Technique and theory is a little bit more fun when students get to randomly choose the key instead of the teacher, and it is always fun to have a cute prop.
If you would like to have your own set of keys, you may be able to find similar rustic-looking keys on Amazon (example here), Ebay, or Etsy.com. Another idea is to buy old keys from antique shops.
After the success of these metal keys, I wondered if I could make a printable version of 12 keys that I could print off for my students. After learning each scale, I could award the student with a key to add to their keyring which could be kept on their piano bag. Here is what I came up with:
In case you don’t feel like cutting out keys for each student, I also made a simple checklist version:
I was having so much fun with these key images that I also decided to make a set of worksheets for matching each key to the correct key signature. I ended up creating a colorful digital version of the worksheets for use on the iPad, as well as a printer-friendly, black-and-white version. Here is a peek at the digital version being used on my iPad Mini and the app GoodNotes:
You can download the printer-friendly key cut-outs, checklist, and worksheets on the Printables > Worksheets page under “Music Keys Printable.”
Music Keys Printable & Worksheets (4.2 MiB, 15,288 hits)
You can download the colorful, iPad friendly version of the worksheets on the Printables > For iPad page.
Matching Music Keys (2.9 MiB, 6,375 hits)
Update: Check out reader Patti Bennett’s “Major Key Challenge” she ran for her students using these printables! Click here to read all about it.
Love it! Great idea!
I will definitely use this with my students this year. What craft store carries these and how long are they? Thanks, Joy! : )
Hi Ginger, I bought those keys at Michael’s craft store, in the dollar section, but it was back at Christmastime. I’m not sure if they will have them anymore or not! They measure about 3 inches in length.
Wow – I am so excited to use the worksheet and key document! I also love the idea of using real keys on a key chain. Thanks, Joy!
Creative! Generally have just had students pull a slip of paper out of a basket or hat with the key that we will work on that day…but the idea of adding a different key to your ring everytime you master a scale is really cool, especially for younger students who don’t actually have keys of their own! They really take ownership and pride in those physical things!
Thank you, Arlo!
What a brilliant idea! I am definitely throwing this one in my “get it done before fall lessons start” pile! Thanks!
Excellent idea, Joy! At what store did you find the keys? Was it a chain store like Michaels or Hobby Lobby? Thanks for sharing your prints.
Just saw your response already. Thanks!
I am having trouble printing this. I tried printing others of your worksheets, with no problem. Are others having trouble printing, too?
Ingenious idea as always, Joy!
Thank you, as ever, for providing so many wonderful resources for free.
Awesome worksheet !! I already tried it out on the ipad and it works great 🙂
Kids really enjoy it and learn at the same time….. Thx again Joy !!
Hi Joy, I absolutely LOVE this idea! So good, really. But I have a question (one with an obvious answer probably, but I’m a bit slow!) – what about minor scales? Do you just use the majors based on the assumption that the student will know its relative minor? Sorry if it’s a silly one 🙂
Hi Judy! I’m not sure if I understand your questions exactly, but I think the worksheets and the keys can work however you desire to use them. You could ask students to play either the parallel or relative minor, depending on your preference! The worksheets make clear in the title whether the student is supposed to be matching major or minor key signatures.
Another idea is to make a simple spinner out of a paper plate, brad in the middle and a paper clip to let the students spin and see which scale to play that day! Thanks for this idea, Joy! I needed something new for scales incentive in my studio!