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 would love a new idea for games!
I love games and the enthusiasm and creativity they add to piano lessons! My favorites are those that get them making music–whether on, or off the bench! I like to do some kind of activity the spices things up with each lesson. –that’s the ideal, reality averages between 2 and 3 times a month…
Not as much as I would like to! In private lessons, I generally spend 5 minutes at the end. Group classes that have less than 6 students, about 5-10 minutes at the end. My group classes with 6 students, I rarely make the time to play games 🙁 We do have a fun day around holidays where we play games the entire hour, but that only happens 4 times a year.
I’ve used a few off the piano bench activities, but this inspires me to do more! Thanks so much.
I am truly excited to implement this component into my piano teaching. I know that providing as much exposure as possible in as many different ways as possible to a concept will not only help a student learn the idea but be able to apply it in a variety of contexts. Bring on the games!!! I can’t wait!
I don’t use games yet but I would like to. I just need some ideas.
I use games about half the time, some on the floor, some sitting at the piano. Mostly with younger students, but the older students like games too!
I use games and see the almost immediate positive responses from my students. I am looking forward to learning more about the use of games during lessons.
Games are great…I use them with mainly beginners for about 5 mins of our lessons
I use games at the end of a lesson, which leaves students finishing the lesson on a happy note.
Did I comment yesterday? I’m not sure. I’m looking forward to the game, as I look forward to all of your materials!
I usually spend 5 to 10 minutes a lesson on games and other off-the-bench activities, sometimes more with younger students.
My three young granddaughters LOVE to come and the piano is the first thing they want to play! I would love to ‘teach’ something in a fun way!
Thanks for helping me renew my commitment to do games with all my students, not just beginners.
I forgot to put the time spent – with beginners – usually 5 to 10 minutes and it could be beginning, in middle or at end of lesson. I vary it.
Honestly, I obviously need to be better. probably only 5 minutes each lesson. Thanks for the encouragement!
I love the game idea – but probably would refer to some of them as a special activity rather than a game. I’m sure the activities would be great as rewards for attentiveness, correct practice, etc.
In addition to private lessons, my students have group classes twice a month, and that’s where I incorporate a multitude of piano games. I may try to do some during private lessons in the future!
I don’t usually do many off the bench activities. I feel rushed with their regular lesson material and I forget. I should do more!
I’d like to use games, but I’m new to teaching piano and don’t really know how. Guess I need help and suggestions.
In a 30 minute lesson, perhaps 3 – 5 min. In a 45 minute lesson, perhaps 5 – 8 min
I try to use a game especially for beginners to reinforce finger numbers, CDE, FGAB, etc.
NEW RULE: Play a game every lesson!
I’m looking forward to lessons tomorrow to try this new approach!
Games truly are magic for keeping interest and focus. Thank you for your creativeness and help.
I find it a challenge to fit in a game in a 30 min. lesson. I encourage students to take 45 min. lessons to incorporate more in-depth teaching of materials through things like games!
5 minutes. But not every lesson. This is something I have been working to increase.
I always look forward to listening to your ideas.
My students enjoy playing games and if they ask me how much time do we have left, it is because they are enjoying our time together! I plan on spending a tenth of our practice time.
I’ve only just started using games in the past few months, and often just spend the last 5 minutes doing “off the bench” activities.
I use games in every lesson – I start off with body percussion as a warm up, then I use finger puppets later on to tell stories on the piano. I’m desperate for new ideas though!
I spend 5 to 10 minutes a lesson doing “off the bench” activities.
I have been building up a collection of games since my students love them. While I do not necessarily use games every lesson, I set a goal this year to include a game (paper, iPad, computer) every second lesson for each student. The kids love it & I laughingly tell their parents I am ‘tricking’ them into doing theory & technique. It’s a win all around.
I passed the Quiz! Thank You 🙂
I spend five to ten minutes.
I don’t play games away from the bench… I love telling stories that help students remember key principles. They are fictional, funny and usually memorable.
I usually do not use games, but I am always open to new ideas and suggestions… 🙂
This is just what I was looking for! Thanks!
I try to incorporate fun games and relatable tips into the lessons so that students can remember concepts better. Sometimes even to be totally random I’ll have them get up and do jumping jacks or something active to get their excitement up!
I’ve only just started using games in the past few months, and often just spend the last 5 minutes doing “off the bench” activities.
Yes! I find games are quite helpful. Thanks for the idea to use them at every lesson. I know my students will love it.
Love using piano games with my students.
I use games for group lessons, but rarely during private ones. I plan to change this! Thank you for all your encouragement!
I have a few games up my sleeve but we often run out of time. I am always looking for new ideas.
I use game for younger students. They enjoy very much and some of them even ask what game we are going to play before the lesson start.
I use the first few minutes of the lesson to let them complete a game. During that time I get their books out and open to their assigned pages. I get their scales front and center so as soon as they are done, I have everything ready to go.
I plan for my games to be in the last 5 minutes of each lesson. My students are motivated to stay engaged because they know their reward is game time at the end.
it depends on the student…. I have one little 5 year old who won’t sit still so we spend probably 95% of the lesson in games. I have another student who I somehow have forgotten to play games with at all and he finally asked me last week if he gets to play games like his sibling?….. Oops!!!!! I generally spend 30-50% of the lesson playing some sort of game. Is that too much game time? (I’ve been operating on the “you can’t have too much of a good thing” theory.)
I love doing games at lessons and am always on the look out for more.
I used to prepare games for my students, and usually – except for the creation of the game itself – very little time was needed to prepare. Then something weird happened: I had so many games in a bin that I began to lose track of what I had, and picking out just the right game became almost overwhelming. Perhaps I should make some sort of a catalog or spreadsheet for the games I have, so they are easier to choose and find.
I love using piano games in group lessons but have not used it much during one-on-one times.