Composing for me isn’t just about creativity. A music composing project is also a wonderful way to bring your whole piano studio together and create a sense of community. Some structure is a good idea even with creative tasks. If we don’t provide a framework, many of our students will be lost at sea. Which … Read more
When I’m teaching major triads to my piano students, I want them to see the visual patterns. Noticing this pattern of white and black keys is what will help them to memorise and internalise the chords as quickly as possible. These chord sheets aid that process, and give students an easy way to drill chords … Read more
This piano practice feedback loop printable is such a fun way to get kids thinking, and it always makes them giggle! It’s also a great way to get your non-musical parents involved in practice time, giving them questions to ask their child so they don’t feel like a bystander. How to Use Keep the sheet … Read more
These quick little exercises improve your student’s musical ears – without taking a stressful amount of the lesson away. Perfect for a busy piano curriculum. How to Use Singing wall warm-ups: Stick the solfa posters on a wall or the back of a door. Review the scale by pointing to each note ascending and descending. … Read more
This is a chance for personal growth for your students. Thinking carefully about practice habits, practice quality, attitude and concentration is a great way to round off a year or semester. Use this simple self-evaluation form to help your students think about what went well for the last year, what they want to achieve next … Read more
When it comes to the modes, it’s very helpful to associate different moods, personalities or themes with each, in order to distinguish them from each other. This activity takes a quasi “memory palace” approach to the modes using poems about each mode and asking students to complete the stories and put their own spin on … Read more
In Don’t Minor My Major students not only get practice with naming major and minor root position chords (on the staff) but also reinforce the relationship between the major and minor chords by flattening and “unflattening” each other’s chords. This game has that competitive edge that makes it a hoot! Get your students addicted to this … Read more
If you’ve been nervous to incorporate solfa (or are just unsure how to fit it into your teaching) this activity will give you a great starting spot – and beyond. Each of the five levels includes just one extra tone. This gives you and your students a gradual and logical progression towards the pentatonic scale and … Read more
Dynamic Dialogues are fantastic activities to animate dynamics at your next group class or workshop. The sample here uses The Witches Brew for a Halloween theme, but you can easily adapt the same activity using any short poem at a kid appropriate reading level. How to Play Appoint one student the performer and give them … Read more
This is a super game that can be played at two levels. If students are just getting to grips with intervals you can allow them to count it out – however your more advanced students must leap forward to the right spot. It’s a hoot and a half when they fall all the way back … Read more