If you’ve ever attended one of my group classes for my piano students, you know that I like to start with a short ice breaker activity. Often, it’s as simple as asking each student to state their name and their favorite color/animal/book/ice cream flavor.
I think ice breakers are useful for getting people connected. And the best teaching — and the best music-making — happens when people feel connected to one another.
Over the past couple of years, I’ve been experimenting and testing out a new ice breaker activity with my groups — and I’m so excited to finally share it as a new resource in my shop: a printable conversation starter game called Tuned In.
Tuned In: Conversation Starters for Musicians is a printable conversation card game I created for musicians of all ages, levels, and instruments. It’s 100 questions — some lighthearted, some reflective — designed to get musicians talking about what they love about music, what challenges them, and what keeps them playing.
Every question was written and curated by me, drawing on my years as a pianist and piano teacher. There’s no competition, no scores, and minimal prep.
Three sets, one game
The cards come in three sets. Set 1 is best for younger students and first-time musicians — easy, fun questions anyone can answer. Set 2 expands the range for older students and mixed-age groups. Set 3 is the most reflective — introspective questions best suited for adults and groups already comfortable with one another. You can use one set or mix them all together.
Who It’s For
Tuned In works anywhere musicians gather. For music teachers, it’s a natural icebreaker at group events — studio recitals, group lessons, camps, and workshops.
It’s equally useful for one-on-one lessons. Choose a question of the week to use with all your students. It’s a small moment, but it can open up conversations you might not have had otherwise. Or simply keep a stack on your studio piano and let each student draw their own card at the start of a lesson.
Beyond the studio, Tuned In is a natural fit for any musician gathering — rehearsals, pre-performance time, social meetups, or anywhere people want to connect beyond small talk. And for music organizations, it makes an easy, ready-to-use icebreaker for chapter meetings, retreats, and conferences.
Easy Printing & Assembly
The cards are designed to print beautifully in black and white — no color printer required. Print onto cardstock and cut apart — or, better yet, print on standard business card paper and just snap the cards apart along the perforations. No scissors, no trimmer — just load, print, and you’re done. Here are links to the ones I recommend (available for inkjet and laser printers).
Tuned In is available as a PDF for $8 (individual license) allowing you to print as many copies as you need for use with your own students or groups, year after year. Need it for a music school, camp, or organization with multiple users? An organization license is available for $20.
If Tuned In sounds like a fit for your studio or group, I’d love for you to try it.
I hope Tuned In brings great fun and conversations to the musicians in your life!
NOTE: My annual blogiversary sale is going on now, and yes, it applies to the newly launched Tuned In game! Use promo code 17YEARS to get 20% off any of the digital items in my shop here. Good through March 31, 2026.
