Today we want to fill you in on one more treat for our Teach Piano Today readers. You can learn about it in the video below… but I hope you take the time to read this first…
Whew! What a week! With the launch of PianoGameClub.com just a few weeks away, 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.
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 You’ll Be Checking Your Inbox On Monday
As you know, we are launching PianoGameClub on November 1st. But as a TeachPianoToday reader, this coming Monday is going to be an even more important date to keep in the back of your mind. Because on Monday, October 20, we have an exciting announcement for everyone who just can’t wait to get their hands on the awesomeness that is coming from PianoGameClub!
If that’s you, keep an eye on your inbox because it will be a time sensitive opportunity that is available only to Teach Piano Today readers!
Thank 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!
Thanks so much for your kindness Sharon 🙂
I 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!
I am looking forward to the games….sounds like a wonderful idea.
Can’t wait for Monday (I don’t think have I have uttered those words before)! 🙂
Hee hee… there had to be a way to make Monday mornings more tolerable! At least one out of the 52 will be exciting LOL!
I 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.
Bring 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”!
Hi 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!
You certainly have a wonderful way to build excitement!
Yesterday, 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!
Hi Connie! Wonderful 🙂 So glad they enjoyed Ribbit Rhythms and that they’re absorbing eighth notes in the process!
do you have a game that teaches dotted quarter rhythm?
I 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!!!
Although 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!
Glad 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 😉
Looking forward to the great new games.
The first two games are great! I can’t wait to see what else you’ve got!
I am so excited about this new avenue to add to my business!
These 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)!
I love piano games and I am excite to freshen up my supply
Great motivator too!
I 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!!
looking forward to new possibilities
I’ll be watching!
I can’t wait!!! 😀
This 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!
Hi 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 🙂
Can’t wait!!
As 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!
Hi 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 😉
Can’t wait for the latest wave in this revolution of fun lessons!
I have been using games for years and love the enthusiam and results it brings to the lesson.
I’m so excited to have found a company that shares this same teaching philosophy with me! 🙂
And we are excited to connect with YOU Stephanie! Any time you find like-minded people great things come of it 🙂
Using games in lessons has re-energized my teaching! Thank-you so muchM
Thanks for the many games I have purchased from you. My students really enjoy them!
I 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!
I love using games with my private students, group classes and siblings in lab!
Monday is a super long day! So this will help
Thanks 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.
To 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.
I 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! 🙂
I’m looking for an idea to store all these games. I’m a new piano game club member. Help!
Hi 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/
I 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.