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. Continue reading “Just Added: “Listen & Sign” Game Printable”
In continuation of a description of the music theory activities at our Piano Mini-Camp a few weeks ago, here are more details concerning the activities we used:
Rhythm Dictation Game
This rhythm dictation game by Natalie was a real hit with the students! I printed off two sets of cards and put the students into groups of two so that they could work together. Here’s how the game works:
I tried to clap rhythms according to the approximate level of the groups of students I was teaching, and increased the difficulty of each rhythm as they became accustomed to the process. I also tried to vary the time signatures between 2/4, 3/4, and 4/4. I kept the rhythms to just 2 measures long, unless we were in 2/4 time or unless the students were more advanced.
I think it’s important to have the students be able to clap the rhythm back in its entirety before beginning to dictate it using the cards, because it helps increase their musical memory. Otherwise, they will dictate only 1 or 2 beats at a time, and constantly be asking you to “do it again!” If they can remember it themselves, they can then re-clap it to themselves as needed as they work on dictating it. Continue reading “Music Theory at our Piano Mini-Camp (3/3)”
In continuation of the series about music theory at our piano mini-camp, here are the descriptions of a few more of the activities we did:
Music Adventures Board Game
In my music theory classes, one of my goals was to cover as many areas within the broad scope of “music theory” as I could. The gem stones activity covered 5FPs/scales/key signatures; the rhythm dictation game covered rhythm and ear training, and the Hear & Sign game covered more ear training. This game, called “Music Adventures,” focuses mostly on music terminology, but also on note reading and identifying intervals.
You may recognize this game from the picture on the right: I created this piano-bench-sized board game earlier this year, and it is available for download on the Printables > Other Resources page.
To prepare for this game, we first quickly reviewed some music terms on the chalkboard. Then I set the students loose in teams of 2 to play this music board game. You can vary the length of this game by using either one die or two dice. I had lots of things I wanted to do in my 30-minute classes, so I gave each team two dice. We played this game one time, on the second day of camp.
Susan Paradis’ Music Bingo
I used Susan’s Music Bingo game at a group lesson about a year ago and it was a huge hit, and I thought this was a good opportunity to use it again! I used this game on the last day of camp, and it was quite a fun way to end the day.
To cover the spaces on the Bingo sheet, instead of using the red markers picture on the right we used the same colored glass stones that we used for the gem notes on keyboard & staff activity. One less thing to haul along from home with me to camp. =)
Stay tuned – there is one more post about our music theory activities coming soon!
As promised, here’s more about the Music Theory classes at our Piano Mini-Camp a few weeks ago. I didn’t create formal lesson plans per-se, but the next three posts will serve as a general outline of the activities we did over each of the three camp days.
Gem Notes on the Keyboard & Staff
Using Susan Paradis’ wonderful resources, I created an activity for teaching 5-finger patterns (5FPs) and scales. We used colorful glass stones (from the dollar store) to build 5FPS/scales on her table-top keyboard printable and one of her grand staff printables. After printing everything out on cardstock, I cut out the table-top keyboard so that the students each had one long keyboard and then put each grand staff in a sheet protector.
The students really enjoyed using the colorful “gems.” One little student kept asking me, “Are they REAL GEMS?!” =)
With the younger students, we learned just about 5FPs: how to build them (WWHW) in various keys, and how to make them minor (lower the 3rd). With the more advanced students, we learned about the entire scale (WWHWWWH) in various keys, and how to make them minor (lower the 3rd, 6th, and 7th for natural minor).
We first created the 5FP/scale first on the keyboard (pictured above), and then created it on the staff. The reason I had the student do both is because I think students sometimes fail to make the connection from the keyboard to the staff and vice versa. I intended this activity to be a way to build their understanding of the connection between their playing and what they see on the staff when it comes to 5FP/scales.
In order to notate a sharp or flat on the staff, we used different shaped gem stones (which I also found at the dollar store): an oblong shape. I’m sure you could also just use the different colors to represent the notes with accidentals.
We spent about 10-15 minutes each day on this activity. Each day, we reviewed what was covered the previous day and then added something new to the process (like learning about minor) or tried out other key signatures.
Make A Keyboard Activity
On the first day of camp, I started each theory class with another Susan Paradis activity: Make A Keyboard. I strongly recommend printing this printable onto cardstock paper so it will last longer.
I chose this activity mostly as a warmup activity to get their minds working before moving on to more complex activities. But it’s a good activity to see whether the students remember how the keyboard is laid out without looking. One student had all her black keys in groups of two at first, and couldn’t figure out why she had extra black keys!
I handed each student a small zipper bag with all the piano key pieces inside and told them to “make a keyboard.” This activity took less than 5 minutes to complete. It worked very well as an opening activity!
Stay tuned – more music theory activities from our mini-camp are coming soon! Meanwhile, check out the recent responses to the July Forum topic about piano method books and be sure to contribute your thoughts!
I recently came across this great video/podcast on Mario Ajero’s YouTube channel: an interview with pianist and piano pedagogue Dr. Julie Knerr. Both Maria Ajero and Julie Knerr are graduates from University of Oklahoma’s widely recognized piano pedagogy program. In this video, Dr. Knerr shares some of her game ideas for her group piano classes — which she holds weekly in addition to her student’s weekly private lessons — to build a variety of musicianship skills. Check it out!
httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_EbQDrLwkxo&feature=PlayList&p=F4AF6DA098C0399F&index=0&playnext=1
Most of these activities could be easily modified for use during a private lesson, music camp, studio party, and other settings. You can visit Dr. Knerr’s website at julieknerrpiano.com. She has recently been co-writing a new piano method series called Piano Safari (as mentioned back in this post) available by order via PayPal at pianosafari.com.
Be sure to also check out more great podcasts at Mario Ajero’s website, The Piano Podcast.
Just added to the Printables page: a free piano-bench-sized board game for music students, called “Adventures in Music”!
I am so thrilled to be offering this game on my website. This is my first attempt at creating a music game for students, and I’m quite excited about the results.
Continue reading “Just Added: Board Game “Adventures in Music””
Just thought I’d show off my recent find – I was at a outlet store a couple of weeks ago, and I found these laminated boards for students to draw music symbols using a dry erase marker. One side has the symbols pictured…. Continue reading “My recent find”
Here’s a list of 30 theme ideas for music studio events! Themes can be used as the studio theme for the school year, or for summer music camps, or for studio recitals. If used for the studio theme for the whole year, there are a number of ways the theme can be incorporated: the incentive program, group lesson activities, worksheets, games, food, decorations, dress, recital repertoire, etc., can all be coordinated to fit the theme.
Please share any additional ideas you have, or any resources you’ve found to be helpful for planning a themed event for your music studio!
Photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/peasap/ / CC BY 2.0
Just added to the Printables > Other Resources page:
These flashcards (pictured at right) are my absolute favorite. They have a variety of uses, mainly for beginner piano students:
Let us know if you find other creative ways to use the Melodic Patterns flashcards! =]
Have you seen makingmusicfun.net yet? This site is full of free resources for both teachers and students. All the materials available at Making Music Fun have super-cute graphics in an “under the sea” theme.
For teachers:
For kids:
There’s plenty to explore at the Making Music Fun website. Let me know what you find!
One of my favorite blogs I follow is Susan Paradis’ Piano Teacher Resources. She does an amazing job creating colorful worksheets, games, etc. on her computer and she puts them up on her website to share with other teachers. A couple months ago, I had the opportunity to try out her Music Bingo game (complete with boards and calling cards) with a group of my students. This version is suitable for elementary level students. For even younger students, Susan Paradis has created a simpler version, available here. 
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