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 🙂
Jolyn says
Hello! Well, I’m new to teaching(just started 2 months ago) I play games with my students for 5-10 minutes every lesson. I’m looking forward to introduce this game to my students!
Amy says
i try to spend at least a couple of minutes every lesson, more for younger students or those who just need a change in scenery.
Susan says
I don’t use off the bench activities but I’m Ready To!
Jane says
We usually spend up at least 10 minutes every lesson playing note reading games. Now they are getting faster at it, we can play new games!
Sherri says
We do 15 minutes out of every 45 minute lesson
Heather says
I have been looking for game ideas for a particular student (6yrs old). He struggled focusing in his lesson yesterday and I found myself wishing I had a “non-piano” game for him to refocus. This blog has so many great ideas!! Thank you!!!
Kathy says
I use some games during my lessons but am convinced I should spend more time planning these kinds of activities.
Rebecca says
I’m so happy that I found this site. You are amazing! I have not played many games with my students before and they are LOVING it! I’ll never go back. 🙂 I’m excited to check this one out. Thank you!
Lasanthie says
i try to spend the last five minutes of the lesson on a game to review concepts. In addition I use games often to introduce new concepts and in remedial situations.
Arden says
Hi there! I just stumbled on your blog and this is amazing 🙂 I would love to have a new game to teach my kids!
Valarie Richards says
I haven’t used off the bench games very often in the past but am recently seeing the benefit and try to include a game ever couple of weeks.
Sophie says
I spend anywhere from 5 minutes a lesson to 20 minutes of the lesson playing games with my students depending on where they’re at and how many concepts the game can cover. Looking forward to this one
Nick says
I’m starting to teach this week and want to start off with some great ideas – 🙂
Leigh says
I use apps on my computer to reinforce notational and intervallic reading skills. I also use my computer for some aural games. Students love to compete against themselves (and sometimes other students). Music Interval Wars!
Fiona says
I can’t wait to use the games in my piano lessons. I currently use lots of games in whole class music lessons (particularly loop cards and music bingo) and the kids love it and are always asking for games. I used to think of it as a time filler, but I’m coming round to the idea that it’s the best idea!
Nerissa Monger says
I spend about 10 minutes per lesson on playing games & the kids LOVE all of them! 🙂
Rhonda Slate says
I haven’t been using games in the lessons, but would like to start.
Molly says
I use piano games every now and then, but really want to be using them more frequently. My kids really enjoy playing games and I see more progress after playing these games.
Dawn says
I have a monthly challenge for my students. Each week we spend a couple minutes working on the this.
Jessica Bull says
Recently I have started playing a music card game with my students. After 15 mins, I’ve seen a huge improvement in the speed of their note recognition.
Definitely will be adding some more games to my ‘repertoire!’
Thoroughly enjoy your blogs! Merry Xmas!
Cindi Lachner says
Each child is different and I find a variety of activities helps with all of them. Games are an important tool. They sometimes don’t even realize they are learning!!
Zara Bolone says
I am in the process of revamping my studio. I need all the games I can find! Thank you !
Mendy Gray says
I am starting to use more and more games – love finding new ways to teach not only my piano students, but my music classes, too!
Teresa Doty says
I tend to use piano games when I have extra time. However, your blogs have given me so many great ideas and such inspiration that I am assembling an arsenal of games! With such a variety, it will be easy to include games in each lesson!
Michelle says
I try to incorporate a game every week into each student’s lesson!
Cassidy says
Games here i come!
Olivia says
I save games for extended lessons. I have a student who struggles with reading and when we finished her extended lesson today with a new game, she said, “Thank YOU very much for teaching me!”
Linda says
I use some online games on my laptop, then hear kid’s pieces, assign new, then we play a board or card type game – about 5 – 7 min.
Angelica says
I Love playing games with my kids, I only wish I had more to pull from and I do feel that I spend about 1/3 to half of the lesson on times on games. I just feel that the parents aren’t always appreciative of this as it doesn’t always translate to the kids playing the song faster but rather understanding music in general faster.
Sheila says
Thanks for sharing. Haven’t tried off the bench so thus would be the first attempt. Wish me luck.
Stacy says
Just starting to teach piano again this year after a long break. I never took time to play games before, but I surely will be now! So excited to come across your website. Thank you for sharing-your resources are invaluable!
Arlene says
Students love games. I like to send them home with a game each week.
Stephanie says
I have not used many games, but want to in order to make learning more fun. Thanks for a great resource!
Pam says
I do off the bench for beginners. I need more games!
karina says
new teacher here !! off the bench games sound like they could really increase attention span of the little ones!!
Colleen Branson says
I have not so far spent much time with off bench games, with the exception that I do with my 4-6 year old beginners.
I did join your game club and am now starting to use them, although I still find it “unnatural” to fit into the lesson … if that makes sense to you.
Tracy says
Games are ideal for really young learners, can never have enough!
Tessa says
I begin every lesson with a short warm up game.
I also end every lesson with a game (or activity from an incentive). Happy and excited kids, all the time!
"MrsG" says
I like to use all kinds of games, puzzles and assorted activites at lessons. It’s fun for the students and a challenge for me to adapt the activities so that they are age-appropriate. I enjoy the creative process, but I sure appreciate a little help from time to time!
Karmen says
I rarely do off the bench activities. I have done them mainly for those boys who can not sit still and have a short attention span. I am going to start incorporating off the bench activities for everyone! Thanks for the reminder!
Susan says
Off the bench activites are very important! They are a nice break from sitting, as well as a good change mentally!
molly says
I love to use games, bit would love to find some new ones.
Piano Parlor Studio says
When I do ‘off-bench’, I use 5 minutes of a 30-minute lesson (with my older students). I don’t even have to write it down, and they all know where my games and activities are! But they don’t know where my fabulous prize box is, they just know it exists and that I pull it out at magical moments. I’m in my 4th year of teaching, and you’ve really acted as an unsuspecting mentor…thank you!
Tish says
I try and do something off the bench every week. It’s a great way to pull a student into the lesson
Oliver Ullman says
about 5 minutes a lesson
Bonita says
I spend 10 to 15 minutes using games for each student
Erin says
I have tried to add games more often, but I think it is something I will try to do more of. Especially with all the great resources on the internet these days.
Ronda says
I try to do an off the bench activity or game at most lessons and the kids always love it. It also works as a motivator for the “pokey” students – they get to play a quick second round or buzzer beater if they can get through their lesson before their time runs out (it’s amazing how they suddenly stop stalling).
Michelle S says
I love piano games! The kids love them and it is great for reinforcing all of those skills we try to teach and keeps them interesting!
Susan G says
We love piano games during lessons! It’s been a while since we’ve played, so we’ll have to start that again! The students always love it and I think it does help motivate them! Thanks for the reminder!