Do you have beginning piano students who only play loud? Or soft? Or slow? Or fast?
Some students get stuck in a rut and it can be difficult to break these habits and to encourage them to listen as they play. But we’re sharing a quick little game today that will have your beginning piano students learning to quickly adjust how they play… all the while having a blast!
How To Play “Sounds Like…”
To play this game you’ll need this printable. Then…
- Cut out the animal squares and paste them on the sides of a cubed tissue box.
- With your piano students, discuss how these pictures could represent sounds on the piano: Snail = Slow, Sheep = Soft, Bunny = Fast, Elephant = Loud.
- Place the tissue box on the piano with an animal square facing your piano students.
- Instruct your piano students to begin playing their piece in the style of that animal.
- While your students are playing, rotate the tissue box to reveal a different animal.
- Instruct your students to change their playing style (on the fly) as the tissue box is rotated.
Your piano students will learn to quickly adjust their tempo and hand weight to match the “Sounds Like” image. And, in the future… if the “constantly loud” piano playing re-emerges from a student… you can quietly turn the “Sounds Like” box to the bunny side as a gentle and memorable reminder 🙂
Other Fun You Can Have With “Sounds Like”
There are many extensions to this activity. Here are our 3 favorites:
1. To add a bit of fun to scale practice, turn the box around for each scale (or even mid-scale) to adjust how your students should play.
2. Brainstorm other ways you can adjust sound on the piano, and the pictures that could represent these changes in sound. Then, send your students home to create their own four “Sounds Like” images.
3. To incorporate some ear training, give the box to your students. As you play small examples, your students can turn the box to match what they hear. For example, if you are playing a piece that is fast, your students would turn the box so that the bunny is showing.
Game-based learning is one of the most efficient ways to introduce, reinforce and explain concepts in a piano lesson. If you’re excited about incorporating games into your lessons and are looking for the most exciting and kid-approved games check out www.pianogameclub.com and get 4 games every month for just $8!
Sue says
First lessons after spring break–fun idea to get students excited about practicing upcoming recital pieces. Thanks.
Dana says
LOVE this!!!
Diane U. says
Great idea!
Here’s one of mine: I bought small stuffed animals at the dollar store and use them the same way. Turtle=slow (most-used one!), dog=loud, cat=soft, snake=legato, bunny=staccato, giraffe=sit tall, horse=hand position (horses don’t lie down), frog=repeat (ribbit). Fun!
Barbara says
Too cute, Diane. Thanks for sharing!
Andrea says
I have some littles who would love this! Great idea Diane 🙂
Elvira Guillen says
I love this idea! I’m going to try it!
Andrea says
Hi Elvira – wonderful! Can’t wait to hear how it works!
Margi Hammond says
wonderful, playful ideas!!!
Barbara says
First…in response to your email Andrea…Bless you! Sounds like you’re getting an early start on allergy season:(
Second…love this printable. Simple, easy, fun! I’ll enjoy this as much as the students. One other way to use it is to let the students turn it while you play…not to coordinate with what you’re playing, but to have you play to what they choose. We can really exaggerate to prove our dynamics point:)
Thanks!
Andrea says
Another great extension idea – thanks for sharing Barbara! 🙂
Kate says
I am going to use this activity today for a certain 5 year old I have in mind… 😉
Kathy Butterfield says
Great idea! I have. Set of Animal cards from the dollar store…..some of the. are rather obscure….personal favorite zoo animal is the marmoset btw, anyway…with my littles I have them pick crus nd play what they think the animal sounds like….no ,music reading required….. my Wunderkeys kiddos love this!
Andrea says
This is a really cool idea Kathy!
Lila says
Love it! Thank you so much for all the great ideas & inspiration!!!
Susan says
This is fabulous! Thanks for sharing!
Andrea says
You’re welcome Susan!
helena says
hi!, i want to ask if you have any resources for teaching piano to blind people. thanks!
Andrea says
Hi Helena – I don’t – I don’t have experience with this personally. Have you checked out the Facebook group “Piano Teachers With Special Needs Students”? Lots of really helpful folks in there who I’m sure have some great ideas to share.