Today we wanted to share with you a piano teaching game that reinforces your piano students’ understanding of dynamics while also encouraging them to revisit past piano pieces. The game will pit you against your piano student in a game called Dynamic Duel.
How To Play Dynamic Duel
Preparing for this game is super-simple, but be sure to leave enough time to get the playing cards laminated (Dynamic-Duel-Cards). Print the front and back of the playing cards on a single sheet of paper before getting the paper laminated… I guess that goes without saying 🙂
Before beginning the game, choose a piano piece that your student has not played in a while. Run through the piece once to make sure your student is comfortable playing from beginning to end. Now you’re ready to begin!
Shuffle the Dynamic Duel cards and have your student select one from the pile without looking at what is on the card. Next, have your piano student hold the card against their forehead so only you can see what is displayed on the card.
On the card you will see a measure number and a dynamic marking. Play your piano student’s piece making sure to play the measure specified on the card according to the dynamic marking also specified on the card. For example, if it says FF and #4 you’re going to play measure number 4 Fortissimo!
When you have finished performing your piano student’s piece with the altered measure, your student must try to guess which measure of the piece was played with an altered dynamic and which dynamic was played.
Now it’s your turn to pick a card and your piano student’s turn to perform. Continue repeating the above procedure until all cards have been played.
Did You Check Out Last Week’s Game?
If you missed last week’s game, we shared another fun game that welcomes the new year and reinforces intervals. Click here to check it out!
Kate says
Just what I was looking forward to… a game to help reinforce dynamics! I have a couple of students in mind who could benefit from this challenge next lesson day. 😉
The only possible hitch I see is if the dynamic on the drawn card is the same as what is already supposed to be played in that measure. Then I guess we could re-draw?
Kate says
oops… *looking for* (not “looking forward to”)
Andrea says
Hi Kate – yes, the chances of this are fairly rare, but if it happens, the student or the teacher can take note and re-draw a card 🙂 Have fun!