800 responses! That’s how many Teach Piano Today readers took time out of their busy schedules to complete our survey last week for PianoGameClub.com… which launches on November 1st.
Like many of you, I started out using piano games as a fun way to reinforce lesson concepts… something to give my students a little “brain break”.
But as I continued to dedicate more and more lesson time to piano games and “off-the-bench” activities, and as my student retention rate went through the roof, I quickly discovered that the benefits of piano games went far beyond just fun.
Now on Wednesday, I’m going to share with you how I manage to easily include piano games in every lesson, but today, let’s take a look my discoveries when I first started using piano games every… single… lesson.
Want to know exactly what I discovered?
Let’s play a little game to find out…
The video below will lead you through our “Off-The-Bench” Piano Quiz. At the end of the video quiz we’ll tell you how to get an incredible “Off-The-Bench” Piano Game that you can use with your piano students this afternoon!
Spoiler Alert: It’s quite “possible” that the quiz is “impossible” to fail 🙂
Get My Piano Game
So you passed the test! Now all you have to do is leave a comment below telling us how much time you spend every lesson performing “off-the-bench” activities and we’ll email you an exciting game that you can print off and play this afternoon.
And the best part… every single person who leaves a comment will get the game 🙂
I’ll admit — not much time. I feel kind of guilty doing it, although, inspired by you, I’ve started a bit. Then my 13-yr-old made me feel worse by saying, “You shouldn’t waste kids’ time by playing games!”
3-5 minutes. Always looking for new ideas, though.
I usually spend 5 minutes of a lesson playing a “game” with my students, but will spend extra time doing “off-the-bench” activities, depending on what the student is learning at the moment.
When I do games it’s a quick 5 minute game. I try to do them at least every few weeks, because I know the kids like them, and sometimes it’s the best way to teach them something. It can be hard to find quick games for students who are older or more advanced, but still need help with theory (like intervals or complex time signatures, or finish the bar with rests)
I try to include a game related to where the student is at in every lesson, but often time runs out. Sometimes, I find it best to have a game for beginners, another for intermediate students and yet another for more advanced students so that everything is easy to organise for a weeks lessons, then select another set of games for the following week.
I usually spend 5-10 minutes with off the bench activities.
My younger students often a ask can they play a musical game!
I tend to use them mostly if they’re not concentrating well or need a change of pace.
I use games to reinforce concepts if a student needs it. I keep them moving at a pretty fast pace but when they reach a spot that starts to slow them down I break out a game. It gives their brain time to catch up.
I love using games, but don’t get to them at every lesson. I just seem to run out of time. 🙁 A few years ago, I ran an incentive based on Minute To Win It, and that worked well, as all the games were only a minute long.
I love to end each lesson with an off-the-bench game in my private piano lessons. With my young students, I usually do an off-the-bench game at the middle of the lesson. I spend 5 to 10 minutes away from the keyboard at every lesson. I love your games, Andrea, thanks!
except for my WunderKeys Kids, I’ve never played games. I would like to learn how to incorporate games into every lesson. See how it goes.
I try them at least once a month.
I play games with all of my students in almost every lesson and they love it! I’m always looking for new games to play. I spend about a quarter of every lesson playing games.
would love to have this game for my kids! Every time I have a game to play I immediately have their attention. It also serves as a “carrot”to get the, through the less fun parts of the lesson.
Not as much time as I would like, but his will change! Off bench games are lots of fun that I always do in the performance classes.
not sure if my last comment got posted so I will try again.i love how games keep my students attention!
I shoot for 5-10 minutes off the bench with each student and usually implement them for 3-5 minutes during each lesson. Although, the younger the student, the more off the bench time I give.
I plan for game time in most of my lessons, but by putting them at the end, I run out of time far too often. I’m looking forward to your new plans!
Some students get lots of game time but others do miss out when we get engrossed in their pieces. I’d love to give these students more fun time but the lesson is finished before we get to it…
I have been wanting to incorporate more game time and this is going to help! Thanks
Time is the issue for me too. I think the little kiddos would benefit the most from playing games. The older students just aren’t interested.
I have seasonal games to reinforce concepts.
I love games but get busy doing things I think I need to do and let games go by the wayside. Having more great games readily accessible will help! My students love them!
I spend @ 6-8 minutes playing a game in most lessons, especially younger students. It’s been lots of fun! However, I need to find more for older students. Thx!
For elementary students about 10-15 minutes out of 45. Less for older students
I try to do at least one every other lesson if possible. I have to start with it or else we get so involved with pieces and “talking” – kids love to talk that they won’t happen at all. Thanks for ALL of the cool things you share!
I just printed a bunch more again yesterday from Susan Paradis site. I love laminating them and using them at some point for five minutes in lesson to give a different focus.
In the past, I’ve used some great music games with Velcro covered pingpong balls that attach when thrown. I’ve used more iPad apps in the past few months at the end of lessons. I like the idea of your off the bench games.
I’m a real believer in reinforcing concepts each class/lesson if possible …. using games! I look forward to trying this one out …
I use worksheets during class, to reinforce theory and skills. Some of them are games, like timing them to see how fast they can name notes, or add rhythms, or crossword puzzles, but they aren’t very fun games. However, I just discovered this website about a month or two ago, so I’m excited to see what you have for us!
I use games with all students as time permits. I make sure the younger students have time for games. They love to play games!
After some self assessing, I tend to use games with only a few select students and many of them tend to be “at the piano” so I am looking forward to learning more games that I can use to reinforce and introduce the important information I am trying to teach.
After almost 50 years of teaching, shame on me… I’ve gotten lazy and don’t play many games any more. This looks perfect to get me and my students going.
I’be been using games as a reward, but, they are learning so much with games, I am changing my strategy. Searching the web for games is how I found this website. Thanks for all of the inspiration.
I probably spend 4-5 minutes. It’s hard to make time to squeeze everything in, but the students love getting a few minutes away from the piano. It re-charges the batteries.
I rarely use off the bench games during lessons but plan for a ton of them at our bi-monthly group piano parties. The beginner students, however, do get a game every now and then to reinforce a concept.
Making the time for games in a 30 min lesson is always tough. We do it sporadically, sometimes to reinforce concepts, and sometimes when they have had a long day and need a mental break. It depends on the student/day.
Games are great attention getters when you have a student who can’t sit still !
I try to play an off the bench game every lesson at the end,but don’t always.
I use games when I don’t run out of time. It’s difficult to fit them in.
I keep games handy and ready-to-go for a fun ‘break’ from the piano. Kids LOVE them:)
Haven’t stepped out of my box by taking up lesson time with games, but I am trying to get a collection saved and printed for future uses. Love getting new possibilities.
The piano kids and I both enjoy a game once in a while. Maybe not every lesson, but if it reinforces a concept it’s time well spent. I still try to keep it limited to about 5 minutes of their 30-minute lesson.
Wish I felt more comfortable using during lessons. I am just getting started attempting games with my younger students. It is a start.
I think I need to play more away from piano. Usually do a little, but not real creative 🙂
I aim for 10 minutes of games each lesson but more often than not I don’t spend this much time. I am inspired to make games an integral part of every lesson. Thanks so much!
I use games, but not regularly. I pledge to give it a good try!
I’m a beginning piano teacher and I’m always looking for more activities and games to beef up lessons. I’m excited to see what you have in store as I love your blog!
Glad to to try the game and give you feedback on it. Thanks
I use games sometimes. I will love to know more about the games.