Whew! What a week! With the launch of PianoGameClub.com the excitement is definitely building. Our first two posts in the PianoGameClub series have generated over 1200 comments and Trevor and I have read every… last… one!
Not to get over-dramatic, but it feels like a revolution is happening right before our eyes and it is so inspiring to read comments from teachers with no experience to teachers with over 50 years of experience; all of whom are ready to join us in bringing game-based learning into the piano teaching spotlight!
Check out a few of highlights from our readers’ blog comments…
“I’ve just this year started using more piano games. I can’t believe the difference it has made in my students retention, understanding, and enjoyment of playing.”
“I use either games or white board activities in every lesson. This is new for me this year – and I am already seeing the results. Concepts are retained so much more easily this way!! ”
“I’m clearly not playing enough games, but intend to change that right away!”
“I haven’t done much with games but see the need; the answer to what I’ve been missing! Can’t wait to start!”
“I’m challenged now…The “if there is time” approach doesn’t work…never enough teaching time for games at the end of the lesson. Time to incorporate them “into” the lesson.”
“Learning while having fun is the best way to learn. One of my students went home last week after playing one of your games and said to her mom, “Piano was the BEST today!” ”
“After teaching piano for 45+ years, I am finally becoming convinced that adding games to lesson times is a very valuable incentive and worthwhile practice!”
“I always play games with my students, regardless of their age. Heck, I think my adult students like the games better than the kids! Apps are good but good ol’ board games, card games, etc. that you make and play one-on-one with the students are the best. They like the personal time you spend with them. With our lives being so hectic, kids these days don’t get alot of quality one-on-one. ”
“I have been incorporating games much more frequently-with awesome results! You have me convinced! ”
Of course, many of you have been on the game-based train for years, and it is your energy that will inspire your piano teaching colleagues.
Three Questions To Ask Yourself
Now, if you haven’t read the comments on our two previous posts I encourage you to check them out… and in doing so you will no doubt find answers to three recurring themes that are central to the Off-The-Bench Revolution:
- Which of my students need piano games? All of them! Of course, certain piano students (you know who they are) make their need for piano games very obvious, but don’t forget about the anxious, shy, and polite students who are begging to have their learning needs met with piano games but are too well-mannered to make it known.
- Can what I am about to explain be better learned with a piano game? Yes! Direct instruction works great for short snippets within the context of a piano piece, but when it comes time to introduce or reinforce a new concept, piano games reign superior; long-winded verbal instructions cannot compete with the increased motivation, learning engagement, and relationship building provided by piano games.
- Do I have time for piano games? Of course! When you make the mind shift to considering piano games a teaching tool and not merely a game, you’ll soon realize that there is always time for a piano game. Plus, students retain information more easily when it’s presented in a game format… meaning you’ll need to revisit and review concepts less often.
And so you’re ready… you’ve decided that piano teaching games are about to become your new secret weapon; a tool that will breathe new life into your lessons and produce motivated, engaged and progressing piano students.
But you’re left with just one more question: Where can I easily find piano games that are in-line with piano teaching concepts, that will make my piano students squeal with delight, and that are immediately applicable to my piano teaching right here, right now? Well… if you know us, you’ll know there’s nothing we love more than solving your piano teaching problems!
Why PianoGameClub Will Change Your Studio
EDIT: PianoGameClub has launched! Get four brand-new piano theory and ear training games delivered to your inbox every month the way you teach piano lessons is about to change! Build a library with the perfect game for every learning moment… and watch your piano students’ eyes light up with glee.
PianoGameClub delivers a variety of games each month that cover theory and ear training concepts for Early Elementary through Intermediate piano students. Find out more here.
Sharon Perkins says
October 17, 2014 at 4:10 amThank you so much for sharing your giftedness and creativity with us. I look forward to every post and anticipate the game club about to be launched!
Congratulations!
Andrea says
October 17, 2014 at 12:48 pmThanks so much for your kindness Sharon 🙂
Tawna Harvey says
October 17, 2014 at 4:33 amI am so excited! I am constantly searching for new ideas on games or coming up with my own. The kids LOVE it! I tell them if we can get through what we need to learn for the day then we will have to time for a game. They are all at attention then 🙂 thank you for taking the time to create pianogameclub!
Maria DelVechio says
October 17, 2014 at 4:54 amI am looking forward to the games….sounds like a wonderful idea.
Denise says
October 17, 2014 at 4:57 amCan’t wait for Monday (I don’t think have I have uttered those words before)! 🙂
Andrea says
October 17, 2014 at 12:48 pmHee hee… there had to be a way to make Monday mornings more tolerable! At least one out of the 52 will be exciting LOL!
Retta says
October 17, 2014 at 5:07 amI can’t wait to add more games to my studio and enhance learning for my students on a weekly basis! YAY!! Thanks so much for sharing this with us.
Beth says
October 17, 2014 at 5:11 amBring it on! I started the school year with new games, and I’ve already received referrals from parents who’ve heard about the “fun” piano teacher. I love your ideas and know Monday will add something to my “bag of tricks”!
Andrea says
October 17, 2014 at 12:47 pmHi Beth – we’re so glad you’ve discovered the “word-of-mouth” gold that is Piano Games! It’s something so simple… but SO effective in building your reputation and thus your studio. Thanks for commenting!
Sarah Miller. says
October 17, 2014 at 5:51 amYou certainly have a wonderful way to build excitement!
Connie says
October 17, 2014 at 6:08 amYesterday, we were “off the bench” hopping the rhythm! My student had a great time…and got a much better feel for eighth notes! Bring on the games!
Andrea says
October 17, 2014 at 12:49 pmHi Connie! Wonderful 🙂 So glad they enjoyed Ribbit Rhythms and that they’re absorbing eighth notes in the process!
Debbie says
October 17, 2014 at 6:10 amdo you have a game that teaches dotted quarter rhythm?
Jeannie says
October 17, 2014 at 6:26 amI have two students this afternoon that love games and always ask “Can we play a game today?” Since I have used games – – about 3 years, my students have retained so much more They remember notes and theory to a greater degree. Love the games!!!
Janice says
October 17, 2014 at 6:31 amAlthough I am well into my “senior” years, I feel a lot like a kid who just can’t wait for a special event and who thinks about it all the time! Fortunately, my husband doesn’t mind my talking about this big announcement, but he doesn’t “get” the excitement of it all!
Andrea says
October 17, 2014 at 12:46 pmGlad you’re excited Janice! I’m super excited about adding all these upcoming piano games to my own studio too! Maybe your hubby will be more excited when he realizes how much time this is going to save you 😉
Deborah says
October 17, 2014 at 6:36 amLooking forward to the great new games.
Aleece says
October 17, 2014 at 6:38 amThe first two games are great! I can’t wait to see what else you’ve got!
Ronda says
October 17, 2014 at 6:58 amI am so excited about this new avenue to add to my business!
Emily says
October 17, 2014 at 7:12 amThese piano games have been a wonderful addition to lessons. As a fairly mew piano teacher, it’s been incredibly helpful for figuring out how to explain and reinforce those topics that are entirely second-nature to me and foreign to my students!
Every single student has left with a huge grin on their face over the last couple weeks, yes, even the teenagers 😀 (they seem to love the games just as much if you give them an excuse to play)!
Rachel says
October 17, 2014 at 7:21 amI love piano games and I am excite to freshen up my supply
Kathy O'Neill says
October 17, 2014 at 7:23 amGreat motivator too!
Andrea says
October 17, 2014 at 7:24 amI have an alarm set on my Smart Phone calendar to remind my to check my mail on my phone BEFORE I get out of bed Monday morning! Lol!!
Amy Selke says
October 17, 2014 at 8:02 amlooking forward to new possibilities
Diana says
October 17, 2014 at 8:09 amI’ll be watching!
Carmen says
October 17, 2014 at 8:39 amI can’t wait!!! 😀
Bev says
October 17, 2014 at 8:42 amThis won’t impact our Book Club each month will it? I look forward to the beginning of the month just for the new piano material! My students’ favorites! How in the world are you going to keep up? I’m selfishly worried about you two!
Andrea says
October 17, 2014 at 12:43 pmHi Bev – Not to worry – this won’t affect PianoBookClub one little bit (promise!) We are fortunate in that we have two brains and 4 hands… it makes a big difference in getting things done 🙂
Tammy Strickland says
October 17, 2014 at 9:31 amCan’t wait!!
Elaine says
October 17, 2014 at 10:05 amAs a new teacher, this is going to make it much easier to find games instead of spending hours on the internet trying to find them!
Andrea says
October 17, 2014 at 12:44 pmHi Elaine – That was our hope! If it’s easy to implement then teachers are more likely to use games in their lessons. And – we know first-hand what a huge difference the addition of games to your lessons makes. Excited to help you bring this to your studio in the easiest way possible! As much as I love surfing Pinterest…. there are much better ways to spend your time LOL 😉
Stephanie says
October 17, 2014 at 10:24 amCan’t wait for the latest wave in this revolution of fun lessons!
Doris says
October 17, 2014 at 10:45 amI have been using games for years and love the enthusiam and results it brings to the lesson.
Stephanie says
October 17, 2014 at 11:30 amI’m so excited to have found a company that shares this same teaching philosophy with me! 🙂
Andrea says
October 17, 2014 at 12:45 pmAnd we are excited to connect with YOU Stephanie! Any time you find like-minded people great things come of it 🙂
Sylvia says
October 17, 2014 at 11:36 amUsing games in lessons has re-energized my teaching! Thank-you so muchM
Jeannine says
October 17, 2014 at 4:43 pmThanks for the many games I have purchased from you. My students really enjoy them!
Dianne C. says
October 17, 2014 at 5:57 pmI can’t wait until the launch – Monday will be exciting for upcoming news! I use all of your games and love everything from Fearless to Shh your teacher thinks this is practice, they are all so much fun!
Robyn says
October 17, 2014 at 10:52 pmI love using games with my private students, group classes and siblings in lab!
Paulette says
October 18, 2014 at 9:09 amMonday is a super long day! So this will help
MaryAnn Vandenberg says
October 18, 2014 at 9:53 amThanks again for all you are doing, using games more and more and kids love them, usually doing them with kids 4-12, any suggestions for teens.
Sheila says
October 18, 2014 at 7:56 pmTo save precious minutes, I make sure to have printed assignment sheets ready to go for all the lessons that day and incentive point cards in order children will be coming.
Corrie Rose says
October 19, 2014 at 11:08 amI am a Kindermusik educator and a big believer in making music lessons fun. I have recently begun teaching beginner piano lessons and plan to start teaching Wunderkeys in the near future. I am happy to have found this resource. Thank you! 🙂
Becky says
February 18, 2016 at 9:32 pmI’m looking for an idea to store all these games. I’m a new piano game club member. Help!
Andrea says
February 27, 2016 at 9:46 pmHi Becky! Have you checked out this post for help with storing the games? https://www.teachpianotoday.com/2014/10/14/kick-flick-i-know-youll-make-time-for-this-soccer-themed-piano-game/
Judi kelly says
May 22, 2016 at 4:43 pmI love these helps that you give they always seem to give inspiration.
I do games during lessons and find them a good help when children are too busy in their lives to do a lot of practise.
Games and their messages always stick
I have made my own game and it involves theory and composers etc.