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 🙂
Love love your games – I’ve lost my ribbit rhythms game board! Any way I can get it again?
You bet! Just sent it 🙂
Very little time, as of now. But, I’m using your resources to totally revamp this upcoming teaching year. You guys are such an incredible blessing to us teachers.
I use games during lessons that extend past 30 minutes. Often we’ll make up a missed lesson by having a 45 minute lesson during the next 2 lessons. The kids definitely love the games!
I spend the last five minutes of each lesson doing an iPad app piano game. Would love to learn more about your games!
I have enjoyed the games I have received through the piano club. I have used those games with my younger students this past year, and the LOVE LOVE LOVE them! It works great with siblings, and it is amazing how the competitive nature arises in my “quiet” students… they aren’t so “quiet” anymore. 🙂 Looking forward to using this new game as well. Hope I’m not too late in getting it.
I play the occasional game and the kids love them… problem=limited time so this year I will start a lending library!
I play note-reading go-fish frequently, but I have trouble finding the time and resources to play piano games during a lesson. I want to incorporate them for often!
Not enough… but that is going to change very soon thanks to you two! I use flashcards and pebbles for some activities but definitely in need of more options…very excited to start using games from PianoGameClub this month!
Half of my lesson time is working with manipulatives. The rest is time for the kids to try new concepts on the keyboard and show me the progress they’ve made. Since I teach classes I’m not really looking for mastery of the songs, but rather a mastery of the music concepts we’ve learned. Games and hands on activities I feel best teach these concepts so that they can then apply them to be useful in playing an instrument.
Sara took the words out of my mouth. I’ve been spending much time in the last week printing out games, game boards, instructions, etc. I plan to do more off-the-bench activities, for sure. Thanks for all you do.
Pulling lots of your Game Club games together for a “Piano Game Day” tomorrow, and a friend recommended Ribbit Rhythms — don’t know how I missed this one, but I’d love to have it!
I spend about 5 – 10 minutes each lesson on off the bench activities. Thanks goodness for Piano Game Club!
I like to introduce a new concept with a game, then reinforce that concept with follow up games and activities. I usually spend 5 to 10 min of my lesson on off the bench activities.
I haven’t done a lot of games until recently, and am now realizing how much the students learn when they play a game – sometimes they’re working even harder off the piano bench than on it!
I have a game night once per month for all my students. I am excited to find this site ad add these games to my resources! We call our game night PT, which stands for pizza & theory; My students love it! I supply pizza, and we play music games.
I’ve started doing piano games with my kids and I’m seriously considering subscribing to your piano game club! Looking forward to trying out the game that comes with this post!
This was so last year, but I found this post because I love your piano games and want more! So yes, I try my hardest to make time for an off-the-bench game or activity every lesson.
I use piano games in our weekly musicianship/theory class – and the students LOVE them! I also use piano games in some individual lessons, especially for younger kids, and those with learning difficulties.
I use games every week at group classes. I have not used them as much at piano lesson time, but would like to have some at my fingertips to use!
I don’t use games yet but have been building my library and plan to start integrating them next term! 😀
I don’t use any right now! That’s why I need these games! I’m trying to change my ways.
I love your games and so do my students!
I’m new to teaching piano. So far I’ve found that alternating between games and bookwork during lessons keeps my students from getting bored. So I end up spending about half of the time playing games.
I love using piano games. The students are really excited when we do a game. I am going to try using a game every lesson.
I love your piano games! I was trying to find my ribbit rhythm game in my email this morning and can’t find it. Can you please send me another link??? Thanks Andrea!
I’d love hear more about piano games. I find a varied approach works best with all ages but sometimes I just need a little extra inspiration. Thanks!
I rarely use games but have a couple standbys. I really need to find some good new ones though!
Just found this jewel! I always play some game with the first yr student and almost always for others. They love it……….. Will come early to play them. Wonderful way to review!
Im just starting out so i need all the help i can get. Thank you.
I am slowly building up my collection of games. I hope to eventually play a game each lesson, but am just starting out in teaching. I probably only spend a few minutes off bench, but i know i need to do so more often.
Can i PLEASE have a copy…thank you.xx
I have 4-5 games out on the big round tables in my classroom. They are all different levels. My oldest and my first students on each day love to “try out” the beginners games and give their “thumbs up”. Older siblings help their younger sibs. I give directions in between lessons when needed. My tip is that I have a folded placecard for each student. Putting out the placecards at the appropriate table helps me be sure there is a game for every level. When students come in they look for their name and know exactly where to start. At some point during their lesson, we take time to look at their results or play another game. I am learning so much from your site, and from the other teachers who share their insights !
I use games and off the bench activities as much as I can in private lessons and in group classes. Group classes are especially fun because the students can compete against each other and I love that the games reinforces the concepts I am teaching. Win-win!
Use about 15 minutes for a lesson. We love them!!!
Honestly, only if we have extra time do we do games.
When I taught at the University, I used gaming to help students learning pharmacology. I’m not as certain if gaming will be useful for my adult students. Do you have an opinion on that?
I do games every week! 🙂
I try to play a game each lesson. Unfortunately, it doesn’t happen every time, because if students didn’t complete all their assignments at home, then we finish them in the lesson.
I try to play off bench piano games ALMOST every lesson. I keep it balanced I like to think. So I will play more games with younger students, honestly speaking, and try and dive into more advances things with older students of course. I am currently trying to find games for students who are boys and in between 10-12 years old.
I have subscribed to you Game Club and Piano Book Club in the past and have used many with great success. This summer I am “trying” to reorganize my studio and notice that many of the ones on older computers are missing. Do you have records of past sales, and can they be downloaded again?
I do use your games for most students. I give 90 minutes overlapping lessons, which includes games, worksheets, and computer and ipad apps.
Yes, just email me Dorothy 🙂
I’ve just downloaded all your free printable games, laminated and used them for my “off-the bench” activities weekly for game based learning of music concepts. Parents and kids and I love the games!
I’m so happy to hear it! 🙂 Thanks for your kind comment!
I try to build in time for one short game per lesson. I always save the game for the very end, as a “reward” for getting our work done. It is a great motivator, and students are always eager to work so they can get to the game!
I use games even more now, since I’m teaching exclusively online. I love your books! I belong to your book club. More importantly. my students love your books;)
Every lesson we have a game, which can be as simple as a quick note reading follow the colored line and used for young and older students. Everyone loves games even if they are teenage boys!
I’m sad to say that I haven’t used off the bench activities before. I’m so excited to start using them with my students! Thank you for all your wonderful ideas!
I LOVE incorporating your games into every lesson. Usually we warm up with the technical exercises books and then after one song transition to a game. My students look forward to this each week!
Hello! Can I get this game? Saw it on facebook recently thank you!
The link is in that Facebook thread in the WunderKeys group 🙂
I use games and creative ideas all the time during lessons! I have bunches of little toys/ cards that are easy to pull out of a little bin for note finding keys on the piano/ staff for example. Easy peasy to spontaneously work with your favorite method book.