Spring time… the birds are singing, the flowers are blooming, sports are starting… oh no… sports are starting!
For many piano teachers, spring marks the start of Missed Piano Lessons Season, where sports try to compete for the attention of our piano students.Tired from a plethora of activities, kids and parents may be tempted to give piano lessons a pass every now and again (kind of a pain considering most teachers are prepping for end-of-year recitals!)
But what if we included sports IN piano lessons? What if students could hone their soccer skills while learning piano. Then we win, right?
Today’s activity may not be a replacement for fun on the soccer pitch, but it’s a great way to get your active kiddos up and moving while reinforcing theory concepts at the same time.
The Soccer Studio’s Dynamic Dribbling
In this activity we’re going to use a soccer ball to reinforce your piano students’ understanding of dynamic markings all the while giving them an active “brain break”.
Purchase a soccer ball with a checked design of white and black (or blue or any other color). In each of the white spaces use a washable marker to write a dynamic marking. Position yourself and your piano students at opposite ends of your studio. Now (gently!) kick the soccer ball back and forth to one another.
Instruct your piano students to trap the ball on each reception by bringing the front of their foot down on the ball. When the ball is trapped beneath their foot ask them to read out and define the dynamic marking that is closest to their big toe.
And that’s it! A super simple brain break that can be used to reinforce dynamics, note values, note reading, articulation marks and much, much more! Just change the markings and play away.
Step Up Your Game
Another way to step up your game during the busy spring season is to use our resource Pssst… Your Piano Teacher Thinks This Is Theory as a recital lead-up practice incentive. With 88 inspiring activities, your students will be pumped to practice piano each and every day ensuring your recital is a smashing success!
Angela says
Great idea!
Dorla says
Love. It.
This will be part of summer piano!
Shar says
Thank you for another great idea. I am also using bop it with my students. They seem to be enjoying it.
Deborah says
I LOVE this idea! Something easy to do and definitely a great idea for this beautiful weather. I want to be outside too!! However, since my studio is literally in the middle of our home, I will take the children outside for the last 5 minutes of their lessons and play “Dynamic Soccer”. Thanks for this fabulous idea!!!!!
Kathy G says
What a fun idea. Now if it was only spring sports we had to worry about. Kids in our area are involved with sports — which start 2-days-a-week practice in elementary and middle school, and move to 5-days-a-week practice in high school — all school year long. I live in a very athletics- and recreation-crazed community, and I am constantly appalled at the demands by coaches on kids’ time. I don’t honestly see how they have time for homework and meals, much less practicing a musical instrument. Sigh. I need more of the ‘what to say to parents and sports coaches’ scripts!
Thanks again for a fun suggestion.
Jeannie says
I also live in an area — 3000 — people who are so sports minded that nothing else seems to matter. his is the reason I started teaching to age 3 and 4. I can have the child for three to four years before sports becomes a priority. By then, they have a solid ground in music and if I have done my job, they want to stay with music. I later talk to families about sport scholorships and how very few actually get them; however, if you are skilled in music, you can teach primer and Level 1 as your college job and make more $$$ than working in Taco Bell. Believe it or not, that works. I get a lot of ‘come back to music lessons’ from high school kids that realize they are not going to be the next big college star.
Jeannie says
You have Wunderkeys
Jeannie says
I use this idea for all sports. Two summer ago I bought a bunch of beach balls that are designed as baseballs, soccer balls, basketballs and footballs. I use permanent markers because I bought three of each and then drew different dynamics. They are inflatables so they are easy to store when out of season. Kids love it!
Diane Densmore says
Using inflatable balls for easy storage is a brilliant idea!
Sandra says
Actually, the worst headache of soccer season is parents wanting to reschedule lessons. If there is someone willing to trade slots, it can be quickly resolved. …I give them a list of names and phone numbers and let the moms do the negotiating. Otherwise it would be an annual headache!
Jeannie says
You can buy beach balls that look like soccer, basketball, and baseball balls. They are $1 each and inflatable so they are easy to store. I have used these for a couple of years now and the kids love it!
Betsy Ogden says
I’ve been playing buntball with boomwackers. It’s baseball but they are only allowed to bunt. The musical letter is covered up on the boomwackers and they have to hit the ball and try to match the pitch to the correct note on the piano. Each time they bat the “batwacker” gets smaller and smaller. Great ear training exercise. Kids loved it.
Gilda says
What a wonderful idea!!
Amy says
If only my studio weren’t so teeny tiny, though! 😀