We love using piano teaching games to reinforce theory concepts… and we have created a new printable game for you this week that has been a real favourite with my students! It’s a great way to change focus in the lesson for a few quick moments and is simple and easy to play with minimal set-up… the perfect combo for every piano teacher!
This game reinforces your students’ ability to clap and count out loud rhythms commonly found in 4/4 time.
You will need:
1. The game board – click to download
2. A die
3. 2 sets of colored candies (one set of red, one of green etc.)
How to Play:
Take turns rolling the die. Match the number on the die with the number in the upper left corner of each square on the game board and clap the rhythm within that box while counting out loud. If it is done correctly, place your color of candy on that square. Continue until one player creates a line of three either vertically, horizontally or diagonally and becomes the winner! Eat the candies with a grin.
It’s simple, it’s fast and kids love it. It’s a great way to check in with your students to make sure they can clap and count a rhythm, and it is a fun opportunity to step away from the piano bench during the lesson. Enjoy!
This looks like such fun! Definitely going to try it. Thanks!
Thank you so much for posting this game! I am new to teaching piano and was having difficulty being fun but not lame for my piano student. This is just the thing I needed for today’s lesson.
love it!
thanks very much. This is a “must try”!
Thanks! I will definitely use this!
Your ideas are inspiring and grand. Thank you for them all.
One small graphic design detail: please have mercy on my printer. The PDF today wants lots of color. My toner supply goes down quickly. I’ve tried the printshop, and they are inconvenient and also expensive. But black and white, with the emphasis on white, and a sprinkling of color, that works very well.
Thanks again. Really appreciate your ideas!
Hi Robin – I did think of that 🙂 I’m so used to just sending my color printing directly to Staples Office Depot and having them print one copy and laminating it – it’s about $2.00 here for the whole shebang; so it was worth it for me to have something colorful and eye-catching as I don’t print color myself. I can change it to a black and white version for you an email you the pdf with no trouble if you like… just let me know if you’ve already printed it or not.
It would be really cool (and helpful) if you could post a demo of most of the games!
This looks great for any level….my RCM kids have a workshop tomorrow…..guess what we’re going to do for advanced rhythm sight reading? No one gets tired of candy….yum! And on the bongos just for fun as well! Maybe even fire up the digital drums…..who knows?
I wonder if you can add to the description of your games how many players they are suited for. Thank you!