My students tend to remember dynamics and other markings without much of an issue. But tempo marks? Forget it. These posters along with the little tricks that I tell in the videos, help my students to grasp onto the tempo terms and remember them with ease. How to Use Hang these posters in your studio … Read more
Habits are one of the most powerful ways we get stuff done. It is usually habit, not willpower, that keeps us eating healthily, exercising regularly, or learning new things. But how do we harness this power and help our students form real and lasting piano practice habit? How to Use Decide which of your students … 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
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 wonderful project for any Halloween themed piano party, workshop or group class. Using this project plan, students will compose their own soundtrack for a silent movie and with step-by-step plans and storyboards to help with planning. How to Play If you have 4 or more students, split them into two teams. Go … Read more
These cards provide a great jumping off point for a group improvisation. While the spooky theme is extra fun at Halloween – they really can be used at any time of the year for an awesome ensemble or band experience in a group class or workshop. How to Play Assign one student the bass pattern … Read more
Inversion Diversions is the crazy, zig-zaggy game you need to drill major chords and their inversions. Students move across the board in different patterns while identifying chords either on the staff or on the keyboard (your choice). This one is challenging but super fun – especially for those intermediate tweens and teens. How to Play Choose … Read more