A 30-minute piano lesson can feel as though someone pressed fast-foward on your clock. Exam prep, recital prep, method book work, technical work, composing, piano games…
… and often it’s piano games that get left behind.
But wait! What if we told you that using piano games in your lessons will actually *save* you time?! How?
When children learn new concepts or review past concepts within the context of a game, they are fully engaged in the process. No time is spent re-directing, re-motivating or re-focusing… you have an eager learner beside you ready to soak it all in! Plus… your piano student will retain information more easily when it is presented in a game-based context because he is completely engaged in the process: he wants to win the game!
Keep reading to find out how you can easily incorporate piano games into your lessons… even when time is tight.
Make Time For Games With These 5 Strategies
So… there it is… the one hurdle to including game-based learning regularly is TIME. Fortunately, you can use a couple of simple strategies to crush that hurdle, and pave the way to studio success…
1. Easy Peasy Method Book Notes
I believe so strongly in using game-based learning, that before I send a student home with a new method book, I first add some of my own notes to the header of each piano piece in the book.
In the header (in a discrete area and in a tidy way) I write down the names of one or two piano games that reinforce the concepts being learned in the piano piece. Along with the title of the game, I also note the bin number where it is stored for quick reference (more on that later).
By doing this in advance, I eliminate any time spent deciding which is the correct game to use and then searching through my storage bins to find it. And because the information is directly written on the piano piece that is already open on the piano, it also eliminates the time I might spend opening my teaching binder and referencing a spreadsheet… every second counts!
This strategy requires a bit of prep work, but if you only use two or three method books, you quickly remember which piano games go with which pieces and making the notes before sending the method book home is easy-peasy.
2. Piano Game Days
The first time you play a piano game, you are bound to spend more than 5 minutes learning how the game is played. But once your kids know the rules, playing that game in future lessons takes a fraction of the time.
Because of this, you might want to consider hosting a Piano Game Day one weekend every month or two. During this day, you can teach your piano students how to play all of the fun new games you have.
Then, when your students come for their regular individual lessons, they are ready to roll and no time is wasted learning the games.
Piano Game Days are also a brilliant way to add to your teaching income and to help your piano students meet other music-minded friends, hereby building a sense of community.
3. Game Storage
You’re probably also wondering how to store your piano games so that you can easily grab exactly what you need… and spare yourself from a chaotic studio where spare dice cause tripping hazards and game boards and cards spill from every shelf.
So, I’m going to let you in on my game-storage secret!
As you see in the photo – each of my games has its own folder. Here’s how I set up all of my game folders:
1) Purchase “2 pocket” folders (at the Dollar Tree – 2 for $1.25)
2) Tape the (included) game cover page to the front of the folder.
3) Place the game board in the right-hand side pocket
4) Place the game play instructions in the left-hand side pocket
5) Contain all playing cards, die and game markers that are needed for that specific game in a ziploc bag that is then tucked into the left-hand side pocket.
Store your games in an open basket or bin so you can see the title labels easily, and separate your bins according to learning outcome. I have bins labelled as “1: Rhythm”, “2: Note Reading”, and “3: Ear Training” to name a few. Larger game items (chalk, balls, percussion instruments etc.) go in a bin with a lid… learned that lesson the hard way 😉
With this system you can find the exact game that works to reinforce your lesson focus, have everything you need to play immediately at your fingertips (including instructions if needed), and know exactly where to find each game folder.
4. Take-Home Piano Games
Reaping the many necessary benefits of game-based learning does not only need to happen during a piano lesson!
Consider creating Take-Home Game Bags that your students can check out and take home every week. This is a great strategy for reinforcing lesson concepts AND, what I consider to be even more important… getting parents involved in home practice!
If you choose to become a PianoGameClub member you’ll have new games every month to make a program like this a smashing success!
My Final (And Most Important) Strategy… errrr Philosophy
Truth be told I believe there is ALWAYS time for piano games.
I came to realize this when I started to think of them not as games, but as teaching tools. Then, suddenly, game-based learning became much more than a brain-break… it became a philosophy.
And this philosophy is guided by one very simple question:
“Can what I am about to explain be better off learned with a piano game?”
By adopting this philosophy, you’ll discover, as I did, that there is no need to “make time” for piano games. Piano games become a necessary component of any lesson, and a necessary tool that results in better understanding and increased motivation.
Get A FREE Piano Game!
Now for the best part… we have a great soccer-themed piano game to send your way that will improve bass clef note reading! All you have to do is share with us in the comments below one little time-saving tip that you use to help make the most of your precious piano lesson minutes.
And remember… everyone who leaves a comment will receive the game (Kick Flick) by email 🙂
Using a small magnet board with the stave printed on it to reinforce things we are learning saves time and students find it fun to do.
Thanks for your great ideas!
I leave the notebooks out for each student and when that day is done, I load their lesson book with the theory page, and the game that will best refresh that lesson skill for that student then put them away for the day. That way when the following week comes I’m already “loaded to go.” Thanks for all you do, Andrea and Trevor.
I bought (at Staples) some file folder holders. I have a different file folder for each student. When I prep for their lessons at the beginning of the week I pop in whatever supplemental pieces, teacher duet parts, games, hand-outs, etc that I will want to have on hand during the lesson (some things stay for multiple weeks). It has made such a big difference having these things organized by student and ready to grab as needed!
These are amazing ideas – wow!
Before my lessons of the day begin, I pull out what games I want to use with each student. That way they are in my basket by my chair all ready to use. I have a notebook that I jot ideas of what the student will be working on for the following week so I remember what to plan for the next lesson. I love the idea of writing game ideas in their lesson books ahead of time though – what a great idea!
The folder system works well. I’ve been using it for some time.
Hi, I always plan my weekly lessons on every weekend and prepare any necessary worksheets, games that will help to reinforce the learning progress. All of that will go into my teaching bag and I’ll just bring along wherever I teach.
I use a 3 ring binder for each of my teaching days, with pocket inserts for each student. When I am “organized” I actually put songs/worksheets/etc in each students’ pocket page. Unfortunately, this system still needs some more refining, as I don’t always get papers into the binders. Many times they are skattered on the printer and my desk and my bench, which then end up in usless piles. HELP!
Tried something different today for some Halloween songs…taught patterns by just copying what I did. In a couple of min. The students had played over half of their new song…they were quite amazed when I then gave them the piece…half learned.
Thanks for all these tips. I keep a notebook of where I am up to with each student and what is next. Sometimes it saves time when I am teaching more than one student the same thing, to teach them at the same time together on the piano, which they enjoy. If one gets it first they often show the other one and they want to keep up, so they learn quickly and reinforce their own learning.
What really saves time is setting semester goals at the beginning of the semester and then all lessons are based on those goals.
My organisation is similar to yours, but I also have folders on my computer for each level where I keep everything that I find interesting until I need it.
I plan all my lessons in advance, reviewing what we did in the last lesson and make sure I know where all my material/props are.
I have SO many music learning games that I have built up up over the years, beginning with my job as an elementary school music teacher. I continued to build my repertoire of games as I began teaching piano over 30 years ago. I store my games in a large file cabinet. They are sorted by category and file color coded. I have a small file card box with a card for every game that is easily searchable. The cards are sorted to match the file cabinet. Each card has the game title, concepts to be practiced, learning level, game pieces needed, and basic instructions. When I need a game during lesson time I can look in the small card box and quickly find a game to use and then easily locate it in the large file cabinet!
thank you for making me aware of how important it is to incorporate music games into lesson time. I have always tried to keep lessons fun, but see that I can make them better with great games!
I created a folder for each student. I have a pad of sticky-note by my table right next to piano. After writing down whever this student needs( such as games, referrance books…) for the next lesson or coming weeks, I get them ready and leave materials in student’s folder. I do games during the private lesson, but, mostly during the group class time.
I am so excited for the games. I started using fearless fortisamo and Ted tales. These have brought new enthusiasm for my kids. I have not used games before but am excited to start incorporating them in our practice.
I absolutely love your ideas about how to organize your games. I have used a monthly system in the past to use my games according to the seasons. Love the idea of having things written in the lesson book.
I have hand wipes and sanitizer in the waiting room with a note to please use before you come in for your lesson. I leave a sticker basket in the waiting room and students choose their stickers after the lesson is over. I have a general plan for the week as well as specialized plans for each student and gather those materials and place close to the piano for quick access.
My students love to play musical tic tac toe. If they have practiced their songs well then there is extra time for new songs and games. I use this as an incentive for games. Also, when they put their stickers on the practice chart, I can use this time to write in the assignment book. Looking forward to your games!
I let the student do the game at the beginning of the lesson. i use that time to get their books open, look at their assignment sheet, and get their scales chart front and center. No waisted time.
So many great ideas here… I like using “minute to win it” games. Some times I only have a minute and if I can sneak a game in, my students are thrilled. Still working on the endless possibilities of what you can do in a minute!
My time saving tip is to prepare for the lesson in advance. This allows us to move from concept to concept without wasting time trying to figure out where to go next. Even just a couple of saved minutes allows for more game-playing time, which is always the goal.
I like to start the lesson with an ipad game…this may seem like the opposite of saving time, but with many of students it is an energizing warm-up before we open the lesson book. Technology seems like a magnetic and enjoyable pull to each student, making them ready and excited for whatever comes next in the lesson.
I need to incorporate games into my lessons! This has inspired me!
One thing I do to help save time, is have a folder for each student in a 3 ring binder and paper. I put any papers in the folders that they need for the next lesson and write down anything in their folder that I need to prepare for the next lesson.
I mostly incorporate games in my quarterly group lessons, I would love to include more in weekly lessons too!
All of my students love “Mad Minute”games. I use a timer from a MadGab game. It is an easy way to sneak in a game without taking too much time. Also, I changed to having 45 minute lesson times but put in the studio policy that each student receives 30 minutes of private instructional time. I encourage students to come a few minutes early and it has developed a community feel in the studio as we play more for each other and collaborate with duets, improv, composing and longer games during this time. I find students are more inclined to play for others now that they do so each week during their lesson time. The extra time gives me a chance to make notes to myself and complete the assignment sheet without feeling rushed. Getting students to come early and participate rather than wait in the hall has helped with tardiness.
Your site is such a great resource. Wish I had found it ages ago.
You two are just like the energizer bunnies…LOL
My best stately for teaching is to be prepared so I can focus on what comes. even the best prep gets put aside occasionally for an unexpected bump. I keep myself healthy and rested so that stress doesn’t eat me alive! You’re ideas, digital books and games make lesson planning so much easier and less mind numbing! Thanks!
Thank you so much Andrea and Trevor! I’m a young teacher just getting started and I automatically have been including games at every lesson. I just was beginning to think that maybe I’m wasting lesson time just playing! Your post came just in time to reassure me and keep me playing with the students. I’m really looking forward to pianogameclub!!!!
I love your games! Thank you for sharing them. I have always used games in my lessons. time saving tip: Don’t forge to put the game away – right away! I have one bin for all my games, but I love your idea of folders.
i use games in my lessons. sometimes if i am pushed for time i use what i call a review game to move a section of the lesson along. i.e. roll the dice and move thru a game board, after each roll play a section of technique then quickly roll again. i use the ear and sightreading portions of my current lesson books as the “questions” in review games to keep the games exactly on theme with my teaching for the day.
Looking forward to it!
I pre-plan and prep as many items as possible for student lessons. Having things ready to go really helps keep things moving.
One time saving tip I use it to have my basic teaching resources (like stickers, pencil, note paper, etc…) in a container right next to the piano.
I also have sticky flags that we put on the current page of the Lesson and Theory books, etc…
I’m afraid I don’t have any great time-saving tips, but I’ve tried playing a few games, and my kids ALWAYS love them. I’m VERY anxious to see what the piano club games has to offer, and I’m anxious to receive my soccer themed game. Thanks so much!
Adequate preparation and having resources ready when I need them helps saves a lot of time and makes lessons go well!
I love games too! I teach mostly adults, but I find that they love the games! Thanks for the great tips on how to organize and work them into the lesson!
Thank you so much for your website. I’m a new teacher and the resources are wonderful. I have a game at the end of my lessons if they have shown that they have put in sufficient practice time. It motivates them to practice more.
I plan the lesson each week for each student (some students have the same plan!) and make up the games as I go. I need a better way for storing my resources though! Thanks for sharing ideas!
I usually open the books for the students… it’s much faster than them fumbling around trying to find the right one.
I always take the first moment or two of the lesson to catch up with my students. They know that this is the perfect moment to say “Guess what?!?” and then tell me whatever important thing happened in their lives that week. They are all conditioned to do this at the beginning–and it saves me time from having to redirect little minds *during* the lesson when that oh-so-important event is suddenly remembered 🙂
I use reward stickers with the children. To save time with the ones who take a long time to decide which sticker to pick, I give them 5 seconds and I start counting. They all like it and take it as another game, while saving time.
My students can pick stickers and mark their practice time while I write down their assignments.
Just starting using games, really helpful and successful, so looking forward to this new one, thanks so much
I love playing music games with my students. We just finished the week with name-the-note on the treble and bass staves with candy corn. Wow! They all did a wonderful job! I can’t wait for your creativity and imagination to kick-in with more games for us!
I pull the games I want to use for each day.
I have been using games on my iPad lately and found it quick and easy to access and I can have each student set up with their own settings so there is no wasted time. The students relate to the iPad well and enjoy it but it is usually at the end of the lesson if there is time. I have just found your site and am looking forward to using piano games as a teaching tool and not just a reward for students doing their work well
So excited! Thank you!!