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!
Rachel says
Join Piano Book Club! My students love, LOVE the pieces. Any time they have an option, they end up picking one of Andrea’s fun and creative pieces and just love it. In fact, they love it so much, we’re theming our summer around some of them!
Renee says
I have just started using the games with my students- they LOVE them. They ask for them over and over again. Well worth the monthly subscription! I’ve told some friends who are piano teachers about them and other resources here too. Abut to trial the wunderkeys curriculum with 3 preschoolers this summer and I’m excited about that 🙂
Karen Benson says
I love the “Shhh, my piano teacher thinks this is Practice” resource. I don’t give it to students all at once. I print out and send home with students a different page each week. They think it’s fun to see each one and it keeps them motivated. Some of my students have now “collected” all 88 of them and the resource I would love to win is “Shhh, my piano teacher thinks this is Theory” and I would use it in a similar way.
Kelly Koch says
If you haven’t tried The Curious Case of MUZZART and Rattmaninoff, please try it! I’ve realized that when my students compose, all of the “meaningless stuff” they’ve learned is now THEIRS. It’s personal, it’s ownership. Watch your students come alive. We come up with a Crazy Pets theme, or My Favorite Food theme (Ode to Chick-fil-A). You will truly enjoy your lessons when you use this resource.
Paula says
I would recommend joining Piano Book Club. I have found these pieces to be inspiring for students. One of my students loved “Bringin’ The Beat” so much that he played it at our Spring recital. Another student was completely over the moon about “Rappa” from Piano Book Club. Andrea and Trevor’s resources are fantastic!
Ellen says
My students love playing games, so I get excited when I see free games on your website. 🙂 I would recommend the game, “Sly As A Fox,” to review the bass clef notes. Such a fun and fast game to use during the lesson.
Jennifer says
Piano Game Club! Towards the end of the school year I start to lose my motivation, but my students and I had a blast every time. They love to see what I have for them and it’s even helped with the students’ attitudes. (We all have an off day once in a while.)
Jeannie says
I cannot even begin to pick a favorite. If the student is being silly and rowdy that particular day, I pull out Muttzart. If I have a grandparent who is filling neglected, I go to “SHHH, Your. . . . . Practice”. If I have a parent who wants to help, I open up “PSST, Your . . . . Theory”. Even one of the first, “Piano Hands. . . . . Hamburgers” Was a God-sent when I first started teaching. Don’t ask me to pick a favorite, I use them all!
SonicPiano says
Piano Book Club has been a lifesaver! One of my teens just went gaga last night over the new book I downloaded yesterday and another played “Stuck on Repeat” from How to Give Your Audience the Giggles at our annual spring recital. His little sister tapped him on the back to “unstick” him and ended it with a smack on the back of his head. Since then I’ve had three requests to learn the piece.
I also use your popsicle stick suggestion from a while back. I bought colorful popsicle sticks and a purple painted mason jar at a deep discount when my local A.C. Moore store closed its doors in April. Using “Shhhh Your Piano Teacher Thinks This Is Practice” as a guide, I wrote silly practice suggestions on each popsicle stick with a Sharpie. At the end of the lesson each student takes a popsicle stick from the mason jar and does whatever is written on it for the following week’s lesson. The younger kids love the bright colors and can’t wait until the end of the lesson to pick their next popsicle stick. They don’t all necessarily do the activity at home so I have them do it with me during the lesson as well.
Barbara says
Love this popsicle stick idea! Thanks for posting it. I will definitely be using this one.
Lisa says
I’ve enjoyed all the books and resources I’ve used from Trevor and Andrea! One of my favorites is Piano Game Club. I love having a huge resource of games to use with my students of all ages. They love playing games and I love that it keeps them motivated and engaged. It’s fun to hear my students come in and ask “Can we play a game today?” 🙂
Kayla says
My students are always asking to play Have a Hoot (it turns out owls are fascinating to children–who knew?) and Beach Day, especially since I added a hurricane card that wipes out the beach and makes the game start all over.
Dianne C says
I too love the piano games but Piano Book Club is a favorite with my kids! Everything you do is fantastic. If I win I would love to have the Curious Case of Muzzart and Rattimanioff – I know we need to do more composing. Andrea – what about writing something neat strictly for working on sight-reading?
Tina says
I recently saw your post on how to strengthen a students fingers by using a balloon stretched over a cup. I am now mid-way into the process of making a “staccato” cup for each student. (Eating applesauce is my part-time job now!)
I have found this creative device perfect for all my students as it is a way to strengthen their fingers. It is a perfect way to warm up their fingers and remind them of how their fingers should be shaped over the keys. I love seeing that all my students were so excited to take home their own staccato cup! Thank you so much for sharing this awesome invention!
Christie says
My favorite resource, by far, is the Piano Game Club. At the first lesson of every month EVERY student asks me what new game I have for them. Then they end up loving the first one I introduce so much that they want to play it the whole month, or more (I still have several who request Ribbit Rhythms every week!). I haven’t been able to get through all of the games I have yet and I just got 4 more yesterday! Totally the best resource out there.
Lindsay says
As a parent, not a piano teacher, I recommend all practicing resources. The biggest problem I see with my three kiddos is that they really don’t know how to practice and they definitely don’t think I know either! The teacher is so powerful, and time spent telling, showing and teaching (or printing how to practice) would help tremendously! 🙂 This site has taught me so much!
Jessica says
I love all the games and contests. I’ve used the Rock Star practice contest and many of the rhythm games. I’m also a huge fan of Wunderkeys. It’s really helped to grow my studio.
Michaela Brandt says
I use the James Sebastian note coloring book. It’s pretty much just a really cool picture behind a staff and certain things in the picture (beads, an eye etc.) are on a note. Its similar to color by numbers. It’s my sneaky way of having all the kids review/learn the staff notes, and as a result, the kids are way more comfortable with new pieces!
Beth says
Michaela, that sounds like a great idea! I looked for the James Sebastian book but could not find it. Can you please tell me where to look for it? Thanks!
Anya says
Thank you Andrea and Trevor for all your hard work! So many great ideas. I haven’t tried any of your games or theory book yet ( would love to) but your invention of the balloon stretched over a cup is amazing! I spend a lot of time at the lesson to build a proper technique foundation and by the time we are done working on that , pieces and theory there is absolutely no time for anything else. Hoping to try all of your wonderful inventions!
Melissa says
I’ve used many of the resources and ideas here, and have been inspired to create some of my own. So far, my favorite and most used resource is the Piano Game Club. This summer I am creating a game lending library so that students may select and check out a game to take home when they want to play with their family at home.
Last year I sent home a monthly ‘parent sheet’ that explained the skills and games we were working on each month along with other ideas for fun while working on a skill, but I think being able to take actual games home will get even more parents engaged. Thank you for all the great resources!
Shaina says
I’ve been using the piano assignment logs a lot recently, and it’s really nice. Plan to switch to the summer ones. The piano games have been a hit as well with my students, particularly Have a Hoot! with my beginners, and the Beach Day.
Ellen says
I love the Book of the Month Club!! I look forward eagerly each month to getting the newest edition. Some of these pieces have become favorites in my studio. I love the unlimited studio license that means i can photocopy as many times as I need!
Sandra says
I have twin as students right now, and they spent months working on Scooch in order to play it for the final recital. It was a challenge piece for them, but they were motivated to learn it and perfect the ‘scooching’. They were rewarded because it was a big concert hit!!
I have really appreciated having Piano Book Club as a resource for supplementary music. Especially in the late winter/early spring when they are working on their pieces for RCM exams, and need some fun music to lighten their practice regime.
Tonia says
I love the Piano Book Club and my students love the Piano Game Club! They both have been a life saver for my studio! Thanks Andrea & PianoToday!
Tonya says
My students and I love the Piano Game Club. We look forward to the new games each month! They are so much fun while teaching valuable skills. Thanks!
Sue says
Book of the Month Club, Tedd Tales, Curious Case of Ratmaninoff… I have them all and I am so glad! I can pick and choose what fits best for each student and they absolutely love them!!!
Karen says
I recently discovered Teach Piano Today and have been reading to find more tips of how to make my teaching better. I haven’t been able to use them yet, but I’ve purchased “Shhh, my piano teacher thinks this is Practice” and “Shhh, my piano teacher thinks this is Theory” books and I’m very excited to start using them!
emily says
The no-prep game ideas are my favorite. Lessons don’t always go according to plan (imagine that!), but as long as I’ve got some dice, a deck of cards, or a muffin pan, I know that there’s a ton of fun options to reinforce whatever concept I’m teaching. Teach Piano Today has definitely helped me become a more fun and focused piano teacher. Thanks!
Lena says
I love the songs from Piano Book Club. It is given some of my teens some great repertoire and pushed some out of their comfort zone without being overwhelming.
Erica Forkner says
The games are wonderful! I’ve been having a lot of health issues and those games have really helped me have something fun and exciting all set up when I don’t have as much energy to plan. Thanks so much you guys! They are awesome!!!
anna says
I recommend joining the PianoBookClub because every time I use a song from one of the club’s books, the students’ eyes light up as they realize how fun and cool their new songs are. The other bonus is for the piano teacher. Upon receiving a new book each month, my eyes light up and I feel recharged and excited as I play through the new music myself. It’s a win-win.
Beth says
I am also loving the piano game club . I teach a lot of group classes, so I have been finding ways to incorporate them into group settings. The ideas are so fun and the kids love them!
Pam says
Definitely the games! It is amazing how easily kids can understand concepts when it it not just theory and it is actually fun. Thank you Teach Piano Today, you have helped improve my piano teaching SO much! =)
Nishaa says
I love The Curious Case of Ratmaninoff… I also love Book Club! Awesome resources!
Charley says
I’ve enjoyed the blog so much and have gotten a lot of inspiration and good ideas! I love TEDDtales and have used it and plan to use it more. My next plan is to try Piano Book Club! I, too, loved the finger cup with the balloon stretched over it. Just made one and I plan to use it with several students! All of the resources sound great!!
Erica says
Piano Game Club! I have used almost all the games, the graphics are really appealing to my students, and they learn so so much. I’ve seen a huge increase in understanding in some tricky concepts that have been reinforced by the games. I also no longer worry about having a few minutes left at the end of the lessons – it is so easy to pull one out!
Dana says
I love Piano Book Club, and my students love the “extra” pieces so much that I’ve whittled down my method book purchases to 3 instead of 4 books! Also TEDD tales. I hope another set comes out soon, because it is my students’ FAVORITE part of their lesson! 😉
Andrea says
TEDDtales part 2 is coming very, very soon Dana! 🙂
Leigh H says
I really like the Muttzart and Rattmaninoff book too. My students love it and are always asking to write another song!
Melanie says
Definitely the GameClub. I print all the games on cardstock, then either laminate them or put them in sheet protectors so that they will last. Students LOVE something NEW. Getting 4 games a month, there is always something new. Worth every penny!
Sandy Bryan says
Last Summer, I was worried because a lot of my students take off from piano lessons, and others still do weekly, or bi-weekly. My income drops quite a bit which stresses me out. I came across WUNDERKEYS. I registered and took Andrea and Trevor’s advice and offered 1 month free. I had 6 sign up for July and 6 for August. After the 1 free month, 10 of the 12 signed up for lessons. All of those 10 have completed the 3 WUNDERKEYS books and are now in regular piano books! I strongly recommend this program if you are looking to grow your enrollment. I love the program and so do the parents and the students!! It’s simple to teach with lots of supplemental ideas and worksheets! And it’s all free!
Andrea says
That’s fabulous to hear Sandy – so glad you chose to do the free trial! I know some are initially skeptical, but it pays off so much – having 10 continuing students is certainly worth the 4 weeks of lessons you ofered as the income from what you’ve now obtained (especially when you take the “year after year” into account) is significant! Kudos to you for being so engaging they just had to continue! 🙂
Milla says
I’m already using these printables, and TEDD Tales. The kids love them, as well as “Pssst, your piano Teacher thinks it’s Theory”. I was a subscriber to the Book Club and the Game Club, and use what I’ve got successfully; I just couldn’t keep up with the speed of Andrea’s creativity.
Cindy says
We enjoy all of it! Specifically the book and game clubs (though I have troubles keeping up with printing everything) and love love love the composition Curious Muzzart book. We have lots of fun!!!! Thank you for all your hard work.
Danielle says
I couldn’t pick just one resource or blog post…there’s so many great teaching ideas! I once heard a piano teacher say that they were in the business of putting themselves out of business. Although we of course don’t want that to really happen, the concept is great. Giving students the tools they need to tackle problems when they aren’t in their lesson and don’t have us right there to guide them. And really, all of your blog posts and resources do just that…make learning fun, engaging, and empower students (and their parents) to engage in music making and learning on their own. But of course the ‘in lesson’ games are super fun to incorporate, too! I love getting my students active and off of the bench during their lessons and reinforcing concepts in various ways helps engage different types of learners! Thank you Andrea and Trevor for all of your wonderful ideas!!
Heidi says
My students and I LOVE the PianoGameClub!!! We try to play a game nearly every week. I love using them to teach theory concepts, so much more fun than boring theory book assignments! I have collected so many games, that it was getting crazy trying to find the right one, so recently I sorted them by which area of music they reinforce (staff notes, rhythm, accidentals, etc.) and tabbed them all in the binders I store them in. I also made an index with the titles so I can quickly scan through and choose one! I’m not sure how most teachers are organizing them, I’d love to hear! Anyway, love all of your resources that I have tried, and would love to try more!
Christine says
I use the Wunderkeys duets the most! Students and parents love them! But I use many other TPT resources on a daily basis!
Karen says
Andrea and Trevor have created so many helpful resources–even for (or should I say especially for) us “experienced” teachers. I am always looking forward to seeing what the next games are or what inventive ideas for teaching come up on the blogs. I love that I can take the ideas and make them into what is best for my students and in turn these ideas fosters my creativity making me a better teacher!
Sarah F says
I just discovered this website and I think that I pin almost every post. I’ve recently joined to the piano book club and I’m very happy with that. your resources have encouraged me to be a little more lighthearted at lessons and that games can be a valuable tool for your students. I’m excited to start using the 22 ways to say “play it again” in my lessons this week.
Karen says
I have enjoyed using the Piano Book Club. The Guardians of Arranmore has been a favorite. My teens enjoyed it and they played the entire booklet during their piano recital. I used it in three recitals and had so many compliments from the audience on how much they enjoyed the pieces. Quite a hit! Thanks for continually giving us such wonderful material to use for our students.
Molly says
I’m new to this website! I’ve been getting the emails and am really enjoying reading the blog! I’ve learned so much already
Bonnie Haskell says
We…both students and teacher!… are loving the games! What a great way to kick off the summer session! Thank you! I am finding several great ideas for my studio every week through this site.
Bronwyn Ryan says
Definitely a must is the The Curious Case of Muzzart and Rattmaninoff. It is a very simple step by step approach to writing real music. and if teamed together with music from piano book club the students can see the formula in many of these pieces. This helps them study there own repertoire books and aids with memory and practice as they can piece meal their songs.