I love teaching adult piano students because they are so brutally honest about their struggles in learning this very challenging instrument. They are able to fall back on humour when dealing with challenging rhythms or difficult measures.
Little kids are different. While I’d love them to be able to approach their challenges with humour, this is often a lot to ask. In fact, many of our youngest piano kids will resort to shut-down tactics when things get tough. And when kids start to shut-down, nothing gets done!
So today I’m going to present a silly, but useful approach to helping our youngest piano kids overcome frustrating hurdles.
Enter the Measure Monster
If kids find it difficult to have a good laugh at their frustrations, let’s help them see the fun in their follies… let’s introduce them to the Measure Monster.
The Measure Monster I’m referring to is actually a balloon. But not any balloon. Because inside this balloon, my students and I place a measure from their piano piece that is making them mad. After blowing up the balloon, we use a marker to create an utterly ridiculous looking Measure Monster face.
My students get to take the Measure Monster home… but to be honest, I hope he never returns! Because the goal of each student is to perfect the difficult measure inside the balloon. And when the difficult measure is perfect, they get to pop the balloon, defeat the Measure Monster, and return the slip of paper to me in their next lesson.
How To Silence Silver Shriek
This technique is a blast if you have students using The Adventures of Fearless Fortissimo. Instead of a Measure Monster, we turn balloons into the Evil Count Kaspar or Silver Shriek. If you’re wondering who these piano villains are, then you’ll definitely want to click here to check out The Adventures of Fearless Fortissimo.
Drema says
I like the measure in a balloon idea — even better when they get to pop it afterwards~
Thanks again for such a creative idea!
By the way, I’m doing Concert Prep Bootcamp (a post you guys had before — Piano Recital Circuit Training) these two weeks in my studio as they prepare for our winter concert! It’s so much fun and they are playing so much better (some actually play better when I make lots of noise in the background).
Andrea says
That’s wonderful to hear Drema!
Judy Vanesse says
Wonderful creative tips!~
Can you elaborate on the Concert Prep Bootcamp? I must have missed that… I have our winter recital coming up early December and would love to get in on any suggestions you may have!
Many thanks,
Judy
Andrea says
Hi Judy – you can find that post here
https://www.teachpianotoday.com/2012/12/02/recital-prep-bootcamp-how-to-know-if-theyre-really-ready/
Melene says
https://www.teachpianotoday.com/2012/12/02/recital-prep-bootcamp-how-to-know-if-theyre-really-ready/
I was wondering about that too-I think this is the post about the bootcamp.
Andrea says
Yes, that’s the one!
Spring Seals says
I love this idea, such a great way to help young students feel really accomplished when they tackle a hard measure. Now let’s see if my students’ parents think I’m crazy when I send them home with “Measure Monster” balloons!
Andrea says
You’ll definitely make an impression! 🙂 Getting parents talking is always a good thing in a word-of-mouth industry too!
Sully says
Love it. Measures struggles are some of my students’ biggest issues! by the way, i have been using your muffin tin ideas, and they are a hit! I’ve titled the game sugar rush!
Emma says
This is a fantastic idea, and like so many of them, it’s useful for singers as well as pianists. I look forward to trying this out with my kids in lessons!