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 🙂
My comment is already posted! I just forgot to put my name and e-mail address on it.
I am discovering game-based learning just recently, and this website is a must see for every one!
Not very often…..but i’m willing to try new ideas:)
I spend about 5 minutes in a 30 minute lesson, but I also teach a group piano class with five kids. That’s an hour and we’ll often play games for 15 minutes or more. Looking forward to the club!
Rarely, do the students leave the bench, except for summer lessons. Looking forward to your new game.
I don’t use games every lesson, but usually game time lasts no more than 5-10 minutes.
I love to do “off the bench” activities with my students and they seem to really enjoy it as well. Usually spend 15-20 minutes in these activities within a 1 hour class. Looking forward to adding something new!
I use games with my younger students, about 5th grade and under for about 5-10 minutes per lessons. My student retention has gone way up since I started doing this. The students don’t mind working hard for me if they know they have a game to look forward to!
I try to do one off the bench activity per lesson for 5 to 10 minutes to break-up the lesson. Believe it or not, I actually invested in a laminating machine just this past weekend with the mission being to start building a bigger and better library of games that are durable and ready to use. This is great timing! Thanks!
between 5 and 10 minutes – it depends..
I try for 5 minutes of each lesson but honestly half the time we run out of time..maybe I should do the games thing first!
I typically use games during the last 5-10 minutes of the lesson. Can’t afford laminating at a local school store or office store? A “poor teachers” cheap alternative is clear contact paper available at Walmart, dollar stores, Amazon or even slip-in plastic sleeves available at Oriental Trading! I’m going to stock up now in anticipation of the new Game Club!
In group lessons I spend at least 10 minutes. Private lessons possibly 15 minutes once a month.
I’m very grateful for your brilliance! I shutter at the thought of not having your products. I can’t wait to explore and use the Game resource!
In the past I’ve used games as a supplement, but now I’m ready to learn how to incorporate them as part of my structured lessons.
I don’t often use piano games. I used to do it more off the piano bench stuff though but not recently! Thank you for the inspiration! I find your posts so helpful.
Games are good, there’s learning in laughter, always
Not often as my lessons are just 30 minutes and it’s a stretch sometimes to fit in everything that we need to cover. But occasionally we have a few minutes at the end.
I always plan fun games but run out of time at least half the time. If I want to fit it in I really need to start with it. There is just so much to get done!
Rarely do I spend time with games, but would love to include some in my 30 minutes and even bought a laminating machine to make some permanent games!
Games are an invaluable way to teach/reinforce concepts whilst breaking up the lesson a little. Can’t wait for the new game!
Depending on the student we may spend as much as 10 minutes of a 30 minute lesson on theory games, computer games, movement games etc. A lesson spent only on the bench can become tedious for many.
I use games every lesson for 5-7 min
I use game and off the bench activities in all my lessons – even with adult learners! I find it works really well. As for time spent, we do games/activities at least 5 minutes out of 30 minutes, or more.
I am excited about the Piano Game Club, and I hope you are going to give us ideas to organize it, because I have already printed and laminated some of the other games from you blog. I love what you’re doing! Thanks so much!
I spend about 5 to 10 minutes during every lesson on off-the-bench games.
i use some games with the younger students and am interested in finding fun activities for older ones.
I usually spend about 5 minutes on an off-the-bench activity. But not always at every lesson. And I tend to do more with younger students who can be a little bit more antsy.
I mostly just use games with my beginner students but would love some for my more advanced students. Thanks!!
I use them sporadically. I want to use them more.
I usually play a game/games for 5-10 minutes with my younger students each lesson, but don’t really play games with my older (high school) students. After watching the video I’m thinking I should try to incorporate a game into my older student’s lessons.
I don’t use games very often and am eager for ideas!
I currently teach pre-schoolers using WunderKeys so I use the phrase “let’s play a game” throughout the lesson. At least half the lesson is actually spent in playing games away from the keyboard. Looking forward to getting more game ideas for all ages!
Looking forward to trying out your game.
I usually am willing to spend 5-10 minutes in a 30 min. lesson on games/off the bench activities, but I don’t have enough variation in activities to use them at every single lesson.
I LOVE games, my students LOVE games, sometimes I even include parents and siblings and they LOVE games! We do games at ALMOST every lesson. Can’t wait to get new material! Thanks TPT!!!
I love to say to my students, “You get to choose what we should do next in today’s lesson”. They almost always request a game. They remind me, when Spring comes, that it is time to start the Baseball note-reading challenge.
Not much, but would like to consider the options!
I spend about 5 minutes per lesson with my beginners, and would like to add more, particularly for my 7-9 yr olds
I try to spend the last 5 minutes on a piano game.
I love the games. I don’t use them often enough! New lessons are going to include new games! Thanks for reminding how good games can be for our students!
I use games at just about every lesson….I have over 20 games…but am always looking for more! My students love game time. : )
I am the one who thought – use games if there is time!……… you are convincing me to use them as a necessary learning tool
All of my students love games – look at me working toward games at every lesson!
Not enough, clearly. I find I get them in about once or twice a month for about 5 minutes of a 30 minute lesson.
I integrate games into almost every lesson, so am always looking for new resources. Thanks!
My kids love playing piano games. They get really excited and since they learn so much with games, it motivates them to play their songs.
I still use Crazy 8ths card game for notes with students who have finished Wunderkeys. They ask for it every lesson and I try to do it once a month. The rest of my students rarely get a game but maybe a duet.
Besides using games in the lessons, I also use them for group lessons and activities. I am very interested in the Piano Game Club. Thanks.
Students who get away from the keyboard think, “this really isn’t work
and after a time away are refreshed.
I have a few students with ADHD and they simply cannot sit at the piano for long and play. I am always looking for new games to keep these kids engaged. Before learning about off the bench activities, I would be wanting to scream after their lessons each week. Thanks!