While I spend a great deal of my year under an umbrella with some serious rain gear on, the weather in my part of the world has been absolutely gorgeous lately. As much as I love my job, it can still be preeeety hard teaching piano to kids during the summer months as beautiful days in my world are few and far between. I have to say I’m feeling a teensy bit guilty when my piano kids come into the studio for their summer lessons dragging a beach towel behind them.
And yes, I’m feeling a teensy bit jealous that they then get to head back to that beach after their piano lesson is over! So, this week I’m bringing some summer into my piano teaching studio. If you too are gazing out your studio window into the sunshine here’s how you can teach piano AND welcome a bit of sun into your studio:
How To Teach Piano In The Summer Sun
1. Surprise your students with some summer-themed music: This is the perfect time of year to break out some good old Summertime Rock n’ Roll. I’ve got a recording of “Surfin’ Safari” all ready to go and the sheet music ($1.95 leadsheet here at musicnotes.com) that will suit most levels of playing abilities I have by either making it more or less challenging with some easy improvisation. It’s a fun break from the norm, but also a great chance to discuss pop chord progressions and some simple LH boogie patterns.
2. Wipe Out! Add some “play by ear” fun by teaching your students to figure out the pattern for “Wipe Out” by the Surfaris. This is a great teacher/student duet if you play the LH chording while they look after the fun, yet flashy-sounding RH. For your “jackrabbit students” this is like handing them candy!
3. Play Music Games Outdoors a lot of your regular music games can be ramped up to be larger-scale and outdoor themed. Use sidewalk chalk to create your game board and use water-guns, water balloons or balls to play the games, or use our bean-bag toss Key Signature Game or Buzz Little Rhythm Bee game that are ready-made and summer-friendly!
4. Send Them Home With a Smile – I feel in love with this cute Pinterest idea and so my kiddies will be going home with their very own Swimming Pool treat as a little surprise.
It’s little touches like these that will make dragging kids off the beach and into their piano lesson much less difficult for parents and will make teaching on a gorgeous day much less taxing for you!
And If This Still Doesn’t Excite Your Students
Check out The Adventures of Fearless Fortissimo… a piano series so exciting, kids will forget it’s even summer when they’re sitting at your piano bench.
Thanks for sharing that yummy treat idea! I’m making my students a different treat each week to “celebrate summer” (and reward those who are coming to summer lessons). They will love this!