Phew! For most, recital season is over… and there’s champagne flowing like water in the homes of piano teachers everywhere 😉
And then the weekend is over and we all start back at ‘er the following Monday. No rest for the weary…
As most of you know, Trevor and I hold piano teachers near and dear to our hearts and making your lives easier is one of our favorite endeavors. So today we’re sharing the Top 6 Teach Piano Today Freebies that I myself use most frequently.
As you wind down from spring session into summer lessons, today’s post is the perfect resource to help make your studio life more streamlined and enjoyable.
The Top 6 Most Useful Teach Piano Today Printables
Okay… we know “Top 6” isn’t the typical number but I truly do use the following six printables so often it just didn’t seem right to whittle it down to “Top 5”.
Be sure to check out the bottom of the post for details on an awesome (and time-sensitive) giveaway!
1. Lesson Assignment Sheets – these sheets are designed to keep your students’ piano binders organized, fun to view, and approachable (especially for those young learners who take on the responsibility to practice at home). We’ve included several themed ones for different seasons and in preparation for today’s post, we even included some summer-themed ones.
2. The “Don’t Get Stuck” Sheet – If you have students who get stuck on something while practicing at home and then put the breaks on all progress until their next lesson, this little printable is just what you need. Slip it in the front of their binders and pre-emptively strike, making weeks of lost practice and progress a thing of the past.
3. Shout This From The Kitchen – It’s likely that most of your piano parents don’t really know how to help with home practice. And it’s a known fact (or maybe even a law of the universe) that assistance from parents at home has an incredibly positive impact on piano student progress. This printable makes it easy for parents to be involved… no matter how busy they may be. It’s been shared almost 900 times on Facebook… so you’re missing out if you don’t have it already!
4. Piano Practice Speech Bubbles – If you’ve ever wished you could clone yourself and hop into your piano students’ music bags to help them with their home practice then this printable is the next best thing. Insert your helpful comments and it’s like your voice is right there beside them at every home practice session.
5. The New Piece Cheat Sheet – This sheet is used with every new piece my students tackle. It’s a condensed version of what we cover in the lesson, but I like my students to also do the 4 steps at home to internalize the “learning a new piece” process. If you’ve ever wondered how you can make the learning of new repertoire more streamlined, this is the printable for you.
6. Creatures of Habit – This is a more recent printable that’s entered my studio and it’s really working. Teaching my students to build good practice habits is tops on my list and these little reminders work! One teacher recently wrote to say, “My student that I gave one of these to is actually practicing more and it is showing up in her lessons. Thanks for sharing these!” If you missed them the first time, grab them here.
The Ultimate Collection Of Printable Piano Theory Homework Sheets
Subscribers to TeachPianoToday get free access to our big (and growing!) library of free piano theory homework printables. These sheets are perfect to pop into piano binders for at-home practice and learning. Subscribe to our free newsletter and start up your printer!
Beth says
I gave “Fearless Fortissimo” to a boy who needed a little motivation. It looked like something that would get him practicing more. So far so good! He seemed quite interested in the pictures and the story. His mom told me that lately he has not complained about practicing. Thanks for the great idea!
Melinda says
I recommend the amazing fingercise cup. I helped each student to make one, and they had a blast decorating them with stickers. It is a fun way to work through tricky new rhythms. It also had the unexpected benefit of helping a shy student come out of her shell. I was feeling kind of bad because I was down to just one color of balloon when it was time to make hers, but she told me confidently that her favorite color was “every color in the whole wide world!”
Vicki Marston says
There are so many wonderful resources on this site, that is is difficult to choose. The Piano Book Club is my favorite. The pieces are motivating, appealing and fun for students. I just joined the Piano Games Club and I am thrilled to incorporate these hands-on activities to reinforce concepts, especially for those that students may have difficulty understanding. I know a lot of teachers use computer activities to address this issue, but since music is about sharing, I prefer these great activities that not only are educational, but encourage students to interact with each other. And my students would agree!
Lynnette Emme says
1. Shhh… Your Piano Teacher Thinks This is Practice (huge success in my studio!)
2. Piano Book Club (I let student choose their recital songs from a variety of pieces at their level and 9 students chose songs from these!)
3. Follow TPD on Facebook, Pinterest, and subscribe to the e-mail. (It is so beneficial to be daily reminded to strive for excellence in every area of teaching and to be reminded you are not alone)
4. Fearless Fortissimo. (Please write more soon! My students want to know what is going to happen next 🙂
5. The Curious Case of Muttzart and Ratmaninoff (I still reference what my students learned from this book last summer and they remember)
6. Pssst… Your Piano Teacher Thinks This is Theory (Very helpful to reinforce theoretical concepts)
I love everything I have used from you guys and so have my students! Keep it coming 🙂
Beth T says
The Game Club is wonderful, but my favourite it opening my inbox each morning & finding a new little nugget of inspiration. Thanks!
MaryBeth says
I’ve used “shh! Your teacher thinks this is practice” with my students. They all have loved the fun practice ideas. It definitely got my non practicers to practice!
Jessica says
My students and I LOVE the games from Piano Game Club!! Actually, I love everything I’ve tried from you guys. The games have been especially fun and motivating to my students though. Thank you for ALL you guys do!
Elizabeth C says
I bought the comoposing workbook with Ratmonioff and Muttzart. I am planning on using it for a summer camp instead of regular private lessons. I am so excited to try it out! It is the cutest idea, and the pacing seems perfect. It makes composing easy! I even plan on using it with my upper middle school students, because who doesn’t like a little fun? And it will be a jumping off point for them! I do wish there was a slightly easier version for younger students, even if it was the same thing, but just with hands sharing middle C. Love your stuff!
Rheanna says
Love the creative and engaging games – and I know my students do as well! Such a wonderful way to break up the lesson. We have also really enjoyed the TEDDtales – hoping you continue with the levels!
Geri Miller says
All of the resources I have obtained from Andrea and Trevor are great! I am really enjoying the Piano Book Club and the Piano Games each month. I gave one of my students a piece from “The Beatbox Manifesto” (Book Club) yesterday and explained that she was going to play a duet with the metronome. We went over the music and looked at the rests, etc., and talked about the metronome playing some “solo” parts while she rested. She got excited and said that it was going to be a lot more fun using the metronome than it had been in the past because she envisioned the metronome as her duet partner! Thanks Andrea and Trevor!
Marcelle says
Love all your ideas– and follow you on Facebook daily! Currently using speech bubbles, creatures of habit, Legos and Popsicle sticks, but my fav has to be Recital Circuit Trainiing. I had a precocious little girl last Spring who did not want to sit still and drill the trouble sections of her recital piece (esp after a long Michigan winter!) I put her through circuit training and she loved it– announcing her song, taking beautiful bows, turning around in circles– perfect! Thanks!
Jeanne Kent says
I don’t think I can choose just one idea or item. You all are so creative and have such a knack at understanding what make children tick. My two current favorites, right at this moment, that I plan to use today in my lessons are “Sheldon T Squirrel, Nuts About Note Reading” from Piano Book Club and the Monster Mash-Up I saw on facebook this morning. Both are going to get a wonderful reaction from my students and their parents. I have such fun using these resources. They make teaching piano an absolute joy! There is always something new and exciting happening in my piano studio.
Ginger says
I really enjoy reading your posts and have already purchase Fearless Fortissimo and Shh! Your Piano Teacher Thinks This Is Practice!” Feeling lucky! Hope I win!!
Jennifer says
I love all the games but I would have to say my favorite printables are the scale packs. They make learning the scales so much more enjoyable. My students love the challenge of mastering each technique and coloring in the stars. I also am loving the piano book club the music is so well written and enjoyable to play.