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 use off the bench activities to reinforce concepts especially feeling the “groove” at every lesson even if it is for only 2 minutes.
Often I will give the student a game to play for the very first few minutes of the lesson. This gives me a minute to look over their assignment sheet and orient myself to how I want to begin the session. I will reinforce a concept with a quick game in the middle of the lesson. If there is a minute at the end, a game is also a great way to end with a good, fun sense of accomplishment. It sounds like all I do is play games . . . but really it is probably only 10 minutes maximum out of a 45 minute lesson.
Using games is a good idea. I’d like to see some new ones.
I have used games and find that they really do help the students learn and enjoy learning. It’s sometimes hard to fit them in, but I try to do 5 minutes at the end of a lesson whenever possible.
I spend very little time off the bench unless the student is young…unless it is theory. I do see the need in learning away from the piano. Excited to see what you have!
I try to do some activity or game every lesson with my younger/beginner students. I try to work in a game or activity on a somewhat regular basis with my older students but I am not always consistent.
I noticed this post certainly generated a lot of response. I agree that games are extremely important for reinforcement of skill and enjoyment. I am looking for more group games.
This is such a good reminder to get them UP and OFF the bench! Thank you.
Games are a terrific way to involve students and teach concepts at the same time. Thanks for helping out in this area.
I have begun to use more games simply because the resources for those games have exploded in the past few years! I know they are fun for my students and they are a great way to learn and cement concepts! Thank you for all your help!
I think games are a wonderful tool for teaching, and I intend to make them a priority in every lesson. Thanks so much for all your wonderful ideas!
I occasionally use a game off bench, but really do not know much about them. But I am learning and want to try.
I meant to say that I use games for most of my students every week for a few minutes, but sometimes I feel too rushed to help them with the material.
I typically don’t spend time doing games because I don’t have enough time to work with them. I would like to start though.
5-15 min per 30 min lesson
Have not used games very much. planning on incorporating them much more.
I use games on occasion to reinforce concepts but am interested in other ways to use them
I love your innovations! Always fresh and relevant. I mostly do off the bench activities to reinforce rhythm/beat issues or to redirect attention for young or ADHD students. However, I realize I’m short changing my other students by thinking that they “don’t need” off bench activities. My other challenge to using more games is that I teach in my students’ homes and have all different ages and levels so I would have to carry around lots of different games each week. I’m not organized enough for that yet!
I’ve been teaching nearly 40 years and have just recently incorporating games….wish I had done so all along! Thanks for your ideas…..love them all!
I struggle with fitting games into my shorter 30 min lessons, and because I go to my students’ homes, it’s tricky to move “off the bench” depending on their environment. Seeing your confidence that games are this important is inspiring me to try harder this month to incorporate them and see what happens!
I spent the summer downloading and laminating and am trying to spend 5 minutes each lesson on a game with each student. It takes time to prepare but the kids love it and they remember so much better. It makes the lesson time just click along. So much better than when I took lessons in the ’70’s! 🙂
I find it hard to fit games into a 30 minute lesson. I think I need to lower my expectations on how many new concepts a beginner can cover in a 30 minute lesson, and content myself with having them move more slowly through their primer books, and work harder to include games into that 30 minute time! I’m totally excited about your game ideas and have used several already. 🙂
I can see the need for learning away from the piano. Especially with older students, I show the importance of practicing rhythms without playing, since the technical part of playing gets in the way. With younger kids I sometimes incorporate basic eurythmics/walking and counting. I’ve developed a few “by rote” problems to solve at the keyboard that involve theory and puzzle solving, but they aren’t exactly “games” per se. Since I am teaching more younger kids this year I’m looking to try some games!
I especially use them with my younger students.
I really need to do this!
I use games sometimes without even having a printable. It throws excitement into the lesson. Like, with beginner groups, “Find all the C’s on the piano in 5 seconds, on your mark, get set, GO!!!” And the kids love it. They always respond with “Done!!!” and there arms go up in the air quickly like, ha, ha you can’t challenge, me I know this! It’s great. But I love the printables too, so THANK YOU for them!!
I try to leave a few minutes at the end of the lesson for games, but it doesn’t always happen!
I use piano games about once a month to keep piano lessons interesting and fun. I love them and am so excited to see more!
We use games every couple of weeks for about 5 -10 minutes. I like to include two students in the game and the 5 minutes of each student’s lesson overlaps. They enjoy having someone to play along with besides me!
Always at least 5 minutes at each lesson. Can’t wait for Piano Game Club!
I need to spend more time doing off-the-bench activities with my students much more than I do. Right now I usually only spend 5-10 minutes a very few weeks with my elementary-aged students. I need to do better! And I hope that this new Piano Game Club will help me to do that!
5-10 minutes each lesson – except for those students who have a really hard time focusing -they get a little more!;)
I’ve been one of those that use games just when I can fit it in, but you’ve convinced me. I’m going to try to use games more often, maybe even every week!
I hadn’t used piano games too much in the past, but I’ve started to use some for my younger students lately and it really does help them to learn tricky concepts they might not fully understand with me just explaining to them!
I am definitely in need of and open to the idea of more games. …. can’t wait to find out more about what you’ve got up your sleaves.
My first piano teacher inspired me to always use interactive and engaging games each lesson. Thanks to her (and the games) I fell in love with piano and now it is a joy to pass this legacy on of great game making for my students. Thank you for all the ideas, energy, and encouragement you put into your blog, games, and posts!
I am guilty of only doing games if there is time, but I’m wanting to integrate games into every lesson now!
I LOVE using games in lessons when there’s enough time. I often set up games in my waiting area so they can play before/after a lesson.
Yes. Piano games always necessary for young kids. Even games we find too simple can be well received by them. Yes. I’d love to receive your printables. Thanks
I didn’t play games in lessons until I subscribed to your blog and realized how important they are and how much students look forward to them! I still struggle with finding time…I tend to leave them until the end until the “important stuff” is completed, but then I sometimes run out of time. I’m gathering this is the wrong approach and look forward to reading your wisdom on the subject!
I can hardly ever find time for games but definitely would like to use it more. When the student takes 45-60 min lesson it’s much easier.
5 to 10 minutes- almost every lesson. Never a dull moment!!
Love it! Can’t wait to use it this week.
I have game day once a month. It just seems like there is not enough time to have a game every lesson, although the kids would love it. I add in a treat as well!
I don’t play any actual games off the bench. We do rhythm work, but that’s about it. Thanks for sharing your games and ideas!
I usually do off the bench activities if students have a specific challenge.. But maybe presenting these activities like a game makes it more fun and students may be more willing to be challenged
I always try to do some “off-the-bench” activities at the beginning of every lesson. They can last from 10 up to 30 minutes, but I think is time well spend in order to reinforce my students skills and knowledges. Since I bring something new each class, they always arrive wondering what new game or activity we’ll do. So, this game we’ll definitely be a new suprise for them!
I use off the bench activities any where from 5 min to 10 or 15, depending on the child, and what we are working on. I’m always looking for new games!
Love the creativity in these activities and resources! They enhance learning greatly! Thank you!
I love off the bench games! We use Ipad, Boomwhackers, magnet boards, chalk boards… anything that will reinforce!