Orange Julius Musical Recipe

This is an activity that I have done quite a few times with general music classes.  It would also be fun for a group piano lesson.  Students name notes to decode the Orange Julius Recipe.  After they have it figured out, we simply dump the ingredients into a blender, mix ‘em up, and enjoy.  I [...]

Piano is Fun

There are so many wonderful computer programs to use with music students, but this one is by far my favorite.  Piano is Fun is a program that teaches note reading, and it really is fun!  The program is only $29.95 and worth every penny, in my humble opinion. There are 20 lessons in this game, [...]

Landmark Lines Note Flashcards

I have a couple of students that are struggling a bit with quickly naming the notes.  To help them, I combined some ideas of Kevin Coan, Rebecca, and Cecilly from the Yahoo Piano Teacher’s list, and came up with these flashcards.  Each note’s nearest landmark line or space is highlighted so the student can quickly (I [...]

Halloween Games

There has been some great discussion on the Yahoo Piano Teachers list about games for Halloween.  Well, thinking up games is much more fun than completing the homework for the class I need to renew my teaching certificate, so here you are!  The first game is Trick or Treat.  Print off the Pumpkin Rhythm Cards, and place in a [...]

Lets Have a Spelling Bee!

This is another of Sharon’s great ideas. I used Natalie’s list of words that can be spelled with the musical alphabet at musicmattersblog.com to make these cards. One side is the word spelled on the staff, and the other side is the word written out. All words are spelled in both clefs. The lines of [...]

Great Games for Note Reading

This idea came from Natalie on the Yahoo Piano Teacher’s List, and I just had to post it here as well. These are some great ways to teach note reading that I can’t wait to try with my students. Read on for Natalie’s instructions: “I just learned how to make note reading FUN! Kids forget [...]

Cecilly’s Christmas Tree Landmark Game and Variations

This GREAT game idea was posted by Cecilly on the Yahoo Piano Teacher’s List. I have made up some ornaments with landmarks, and several variations that you can use.     Ornaments with Landmarks All Notes on the Staff Key Signatures Simple Intervals Letter Names – including sharps and flats Christmas Stockings with Letter Names [...]

Christmas Tree Folder Game

With it’s several variations, this is a great game for Christmas group lessons where students are of different levels. A Christmas tree is adorned with musical alphabet ornaments. “Decorate” the tree by matching either the note on the keyboard, bass clef note, treble clef note, or key signature to the tree. Can be played individually [...]

Color Coded Landmark Interval Cards

This idea came from Cecilly, one of the most creative, inspirational piano teachers out there. The flashcards have all of the landmark notes, followed by a 2nd’s and 3rd’s above and below.  They are color coded as well – the bass landmarks are green and the treble are blue.  The cards are rather large – [...]

Tic -Tac-Toe Game and Variations

These are the first of the soon-to-be many tic-tac-toe variations. I love the idea of using tic-tac-toe instead of Bingo cards, since it is much faster to get through a game. Perfect for an off the bench activity during a lesson. There are 12 different cards in each set, making them ideal for group or [...]