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 usually only use them during our monthly group lessons because I’ve meet really felt like we have enough time during our private lessons. I’m excited to switch things up!
I found games work well to generate interest or heighten attention span for students who are tired or stocked on certain concepts. I look forward to implementing your games in my piano lessons and music and movement class, Adrian.
I have so much I try to do in a lesson that I haven’t taken the time to do off the bench games. The information you gave makes adding off the bench games at lessons sound fun and motivating for the student.
I spend two to three minutes on games at each lesson. Thank you for the free game.
Being taught in Russia I’ve never heard of piano games; everything was very serious, even solemn. But teaching my American students, I’m using games with gusto.
I have used a few piano games, which my piano students have really enjoyed, however I need to incorporate more games into my lessons.
About 5 min with little ones not as much with the teenagers
One of the benefits of a regularly scheduled group lesson is that piano games can be played with peers. I have used some iPad activities and computer games during/after the private lesson but not as many OTB games during a lesson.
When introducing a new concept, and also when a student is having difficulty grasping a concept, I make use of games. It makes it fun, and looking at it a different, fun way really helps to solidify what we are learning.
I use lots of games during group lessons but haven’t used many games during regular lessons. It’s my goal this year to incorporate games during each lesson. This is perfect. Thanks for sharing!
We play games every other week and spend 5- 10 minutes. I love games and have seen the benefits, but I do struggle with trying to fit everything into 30 minutes.
The younger the student, the more time I tend to spend on Theory games and “off the piano” technique. Theory games are a wonderful way to keep young children engaged and learning when their focus starts to wane.
Not a whole lot.
I plan games into my lesson plans but sad to say often run out of time
I had never heard of off the bench piano games until I read this…… I have 17 students that would love this!!!
5 – 10 minutes with younger students; not so often with teenagers; and pretty much never with adults. Would love to make adult lessons more varied. Any ideas for them? 😉
Truly depends on the age and the day – Some kids arrive and you know their “off the wall” day will be my “off the bench” day too!!! Kind of have to go with the flow!!! Then it’s all about movement and theory re-inforcement with felt staff, “minute madness” drills, etc. And ALWAYS piano club has a game!! Keeps them wanting to come!!! 😉
I have recently started teaching piano as a retirement job and love all the teaching tips and games you guys create and share. You are my blessing to help me be the best teacher for every student. Thank you!
I only incorporate games when there is a concept I am trying to introduce or reinforce. I don’t do games regularly due to time constraints, but I know kids would like ’em.
I use games for group lessons, individual lessons, especially to teach concepts, when a child is bored, unfocused…well, actually, anytime I can! …but probably not enough!
I always like to add a quick game somewhere within the lesson to lighten the atmosphere. I have one i call “hide and seek” which is an ear training game- i am sure many teachers do the same type of thing– Best part is when the student gets to quiz me on locating a key by listening only. They LOVE to make it as hard as possible in hopes I will ail the quiz. An example of this is three notes spread far apart and played simultaneously!!
I use them to assist in concepts they are struggling with, but not every time or every student. Perhaps those who are not actually struggling would enjoy games too!
I always spend the last 5 minutes of every lesson on games!
I love to play games with my students, but certainly haven’t collected enough for each lesson.
Also the older students often get left out of the fun, because most of my games are for young ‘uns.
Any comments on organizing and storing games?
We are, after all, playing the piano! Games, by their very nature, help us play better. It’s a win-win!
Great point, Karen!!
As a new piano teacher my game knowledge and repertoire is small so I haven’t played a ton of games. That is why this website is becoming a valuable resource for me!
I use games or activities at almost every lesson and with every student. It is a great way to introduce, teach or reinforce concepts and it also keeps our learning time fresh and active.
I try to use off the bench with little ones interspersed every 5-10 minutes
I prepare for 1-2 games per lesson with my students. Sometimes I run out of time and skip the games, but after watching the video I want to make a point to play a game at every single lesson- there are SO many benefits to these OTB activities!
I don’t currently use off the bench games, but would like to start.
Depends on the student, but I love having options
I will spend anywhere from 15-25 min playing various games that reinforce topics I want to make sure my students are comprehending. I have a new student coming next week and I plan on using games to help determine what she already knows about music.
Off the bench games, or games of any kind, were not used when I was growing up in the 60s. Lessons were “all business.” Neither was ear training. I need all the games I can get with both of these.
I try to spend 5 minutes out of 30 with my students–more than that if they are very young.
I use games sporadically, usually with younger beginners, about five minutes if and when I use them. HOWEVER, I’m seeing more of my older kids needing them, too, so I’m wanting to expand my list of activities for them too.
I love to use games with my students- its fun for my students and for me, although it is a constant battle to try to etch out the time each lesson. I try to take at least 5 minutes on them each week.
Every lesson I have a short game planned for every level of student that day; but sometimes it just doesn’t happen. The planning for 4 different levels every day takes a LOT of time on my part. Nearly always I make time for beginners’ games; their pieces are so short and if they are well-prepared not a problem to find time. When they realize they weren’t ready so they missed out on the game, the next lesson shows better practice on their part.
Depends on the age, preparedness and needs of each student…also have some lessons that are mostly games on birthdays, holidays, etc.
I use the first 5 minutes of every lesson to use an ipad for theory, rhythm, note reading , tempo markings, keys and articulations.
I sometimes use them for 5-10 minutes with my little active students…love to find something for my intermediate ones.
I spend about 10 minutes playing games during a 1 hour class. Thank you Andrea and Trevor!
I always plan games for my 4 & 5 year olds. All other students, as I see the need for reinforcement and especially for students who forget their books.
I mostly use games when I have a few minutes left at the end of the lesson. I guess I should rethink that. I can’t wait to see your game.
I started taking time out to laminate, cut out, organize and get my “game on” in prep for piano lessons. Being able to have games at the ready have been a great perk for my students and me! I agree with you 100% – Games are an important part of lessons!
Games and off the bench activities use to be foreign to me – never in my own personal lessons did we ever do such a thing. But as the years have gone on, I’ve searches for variety and fun in my students lessons, and it was then that I realized all the possibilities one could come up with to drill concepts in a fun way! Games are now a part of lessons weekly.
I must admit…playing games at or away from the piano isn’t a high priority. I use some note reading software on my iPad (FlashNote Derby) when time allows and students respond well when I do. Would love more ideas for fun learning games away from the piano.
I spend about 15 minutes total for every 2-3 lessons with all my beginner students.
Lately, I have not used very many games away from the piano, but I plan on getting back to it. Students do love it.
Every student looks forward to game time. I use at least 1 game at every lesson.
I try to spend 5 minutes out of 30 with my students