The summer months are creeping closer, and for many piano teachers, this means venturing into group lessons like summer camps, special one-day events or piano parties.
Whatever your situation, group piano lessons are a fabulous way to bring a sense of community to your studio. But they can be a whole lot of work too. So, in our never-ending quest to make your life just that little bit easier, over the next few months we’ll be helping you prep for some really awesome group piano camps!
“Keyboard Krazies”; A Group Piano Party Game
This game requires almost no prep so it’s a great one to keep in your back pocket for your next group lesson or piano party. This game also works well in multi-age groupings!
How to Set Up Keyboard Krazies
Split your students into two teams and seat them with their backs to the piano so they are not able to see the keyboard. Flip a coin to see which team goes first.
How to Play:
One piano student from the first team (we’ll call them Team A) comes up to the piano and places a marker on any key of his choice. He announces the key name to everyone. Team B now gives him directions (one student at a time) such as “Move up one step” or “Move down a 4th” or “Leap up an octave” or “Move down two whole steps”. The student at the piano moves the game marker accordingly while his teammates keep track mentally of where and how the game marker is moving.
How to Win:
After 5 directions are given from Team B, Team A must shout out the name of the key they believe the marker is now resting upon. If they are correct they score one point, if they are incorrect they score no points. Switch teams and play again. The first team to 4 points wins.
Game-Based Learning Is Where It’s At!
If there is ever a concept that just won’t stick for your students, making it into a game is likely to be your most successful teaching strategy. Students learn better within the context of a game as they are more motivated, receiving the repetition they need and isolating just one skill. If you want to become more creative and use games in your individual lessons too, check out PianoGameClub.com where we’ll send you 4 amazing piano games every single month that you can print and play!
Benita says
What a fantastic game!! Makes me want to play it myself. Adding this one to my game list!
SF says
Me too! Added 🙂
Janci says
Great idea!!! The kids will LOVE it!!
Jennifer says
What a fun spin to this game! Love it!
Sylvia says
Love it! Guess what we are doing at next week Group Lessons?
Suzy says
Love this idea!
Laurie says
Love this! Doing it next week!
Judith says
Wohoo! This is COOL!!
Colleen Branson says
Love the idea. Wish I had more students at my parties….. Going to work on that this year!
Linda says
Great game! I haven’t used it yet, but might at my Christmas piano party. I wonder if you play this using black keys, too? Ex. If the starting note chosen is B-flat and the first move is “up a 4th”…the older kids may know E-flat, but the beginners may be confused. I suppose using only major intervals and white keys could be the rule, but I can imagine some of my more advanced kids giving out the half-step or minor 3rd, etc. directions. Thanks again for such great and easy ideas!