We’ve just released four barrier-busting piano games to PianoGameClub members (you can preview them below). If you have a “too cool” piano student and you’re a member (and even if you’re not), today’s post will show you how to bring students back from the brink with… FUN!
It always amazes me how much my piano students change over the summer. One of my favorite little kiddos, who used to come to piano lessons in cute “little house on the prairie” dresses and bows in her hair, returned to lesson this year wearing a plaid work shirt, torn jeans, and a florescent green fingerless glove (on one hand only).
She also brought a new attitude with her. Not necessarily a bad attitude, but certainly a “don’t try any of that kid stuff” attitude.
After allowing myself just a millisecond of shock, I proceeded… exactly… as usual.
The lesson started off a little unusually as her “older girl” persona held on for dear life. And I must say, she gave it a valiant effort…
until I pulled out “Hippo Flop”. And that was it. The giggly girl with a mile-wide smile officially returned to my studio.
Breaking Down Barriers With “Too Cool” Piano Students
I don’t care whether you are eight or eighty-eight… learning has to be fun! Me and my youngsters have a blast in piano lessons. And believe it or not, me and my tweens and teens also have a riot.
But every year there is always a student or two (around the age of 9 or 10) who suddenly becomes “too cool” for piano lessons. And when a piano student brings a “too cool” attitude they are nearly impossible to try to teach.
So, I switch my focus from trying to teach piano lessons, to trying to break down barriers. And once I break down the barriers we can get back to the nitty gritty of playing music.
Truth be told, it never takes long. There is not a person in the world who is ever too old to have a good time… there are simply people who think they are too old to have a good time.
When these people come to my studio, we get off the bench, pull out some piano games, and we both rediscover our inner child; because our inner child is the one most capable of learning.
So Here’s Your Magic Bullet For Breaking Down Barriers
Trevor and i have just released 4 new piano games to our PianoGameClub members that are serious barrier-busters.
If you click the image below you can see a preview of the four games we’re sending out this month covering concepts such as scale degrees, rhythmic recognition, key signatures and finger numbers. If you like what you see, hop on over to PianoGameClub to sign up. You’ll receive the set of four games immediately, plus you’ll get this kind of awesomeness delivered to your inbox each and every month to keep your kiddos excited and motivated no matter what the time of year!
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Amy Comparetto says
This is exactly what I struggle with the most. I have two twelve-year-old girls who just started lessons in the last six months, and they are both younger than they look. I’m always afraid I’m going to do an activity with them that’s too young, and they’ll start thinking I’m “un-cool.” I love working with middle school-aged kids, but they’re also so hard to please, especially if they’re beginners!
Faith says
Sometimes with middle school students, I will say, “I just got this new game, and I was wondering if you would help me test it out. You are really too old for this one, but since you have learned all of this recently, it would help me before I use it with my younger students.” A little sneaky, but it validates what they have already learned, and lets you slide in a game that might break down that barrier described in the article.
Amy Comparetto says
Faith, that is an EXCELLENT idea! I am totally going to do that from now on. Thank you!!!
Andrea says
Great wording for it Faith! I’ve used “Did you knwo that [insert their friend’s name that I also teach] won this game in her lesson?” also works like a charm 😉
Faith says
Ohh, I like that one;)
Andrea says
Hi Amy – I don’t think you’re alone. Kid who are 12 now appear much (much!) older than they actually are and that can sometimes fool us into thinking they aren’t still just kids. I often wonder if retention rates among tweens and teens in piano lessons are what they are because we avoid the “fun” parts of piano lessons assuming they will think it’s babyish. So – I’m okay with being the goofy one and if they completely reject my activity at times I’m fine with it… but I always try… and usually they’re more than happy to follow along 😉
Christina Toole says
Me too! I am always trying to feel out 10-14 year olds (both boys and girls) as it’s hard for me to connect with them sometimes since I’m afraid they will think things are too babyish. I welcome your help and advice Andrea and look forward to these new games! 🙂
Andrea says
Hi Christina – it also really helps if you yourself as the “second player” also really “gets into” the game. I always play the games right with my student and have found that If I’m enthused and “heckling” and laughing and having fun then it’s impossible for the other person to stay serious 🙂
Benita says
This was good to read today! I also have a handful of students between the ages 9- 14. I find them the hardest to teach as they have, as you said, “I’m too cool for piano” attitude. If ever I’m stumped during a lesson as to how to proceed with these kids… out comes the games!
I don’t know how it’s possible because your games are already fabulous! But the games you have created the last 2-3 months have been PERFECT and seem to get better each month! They’re fun, easy to learn and play and have focused exactly on the concepts I needed to reinforce with my beginner students. It’s been great!! 🙂
Andrea says
Hi Benita! Thanks so much for your kind comments about the PianoGameClub. We’re thrilled that they’re meeting the needs so perfectly in your studio 🙂
Jeanne Kent says
I never used games much in my lessons until I joined the Piano Game Club. Since joining I have pulled out games multiple times. I have one student who isn’t convinced that he likes taking piano lessons. His first lesson back after not practicing all summer I thought we were going to have major attitude problems. But I pulled out a game and the year has started marvelously! All my students are loving it and learning too. I keep getting asked if we are going to play a game today. We don’t every week but it gives them something to look forward to when we do. The 4th week of every month is Theory Game Week so they are all really looking forward to next weeks’ lessons!
Andrea says
Hi Jeanne – this is wonderful! So happy to hear we’ve helped to bring game-based learning into your lessons and that your students are responding well to them and having fun. I think part of the reason games work so well with kids who may have an “attitude” is that the attitude sometimes is a cover for feelings of inadequacy. However, when you are testing their knowledge of concepts within the context of a game it feels more “okay” to make mistakes than it does when they’re so painfully obviously on the piano. It’s a great way to reinforce what needs it without the slightest bit of worry about making an error. I think tweens and teens in particular appreciate this 🙂 Thanks for your kind comments!
Kim says
This just happened to me with an 11 year old boy this week – first week back after summer. Last year, he was a most enthusiastic, “I LOVE PIANO!” kind of kid, and this year, the change in attitude was so disheartening. However, I did my best to try to reconnect with him, using some iPad games, and he started to loosen up. You’ll be happy to know that he perked up the most when I showed him The Tinker Box book. He is a creative kid, and really liked the idea of learning to compose. The deal was sealed when I explained that it was by the same people who wrote the Fearless Fortissimo series, which he absolutely loved last year. He asked if Episode 2 is out yet. Thank you for such wonderful resources!
CarolBeth says
My favorite method is to ask them to show up at the music store so we can pick out some music together. Then I show up on my motorcycle. In leathers. 😉
Cindy says
Andrea and Trevor, you’re killing me! I subscribe, then unsubscribe (not because I don’t love EVERYTHING you do, but because I’m trying to watch expenses)…then you come out with exactly what I’m looking for and I have to debate again…subscribe again? You guys are so good. Can’t thank you enough for what you are doing for the piano community! Quick note – I love your statement above about learning best through our inner child, I completely agree. Also, my young students and I have played Switch Ship a few times this past week to review bass clef notes. After one lesson, the Dad said, “I might just have to take a lesson next week, that sounds like a ton of fun!” We were laughing, giggling, rolling on the floor. It was awesome, thank you. Sorry for the book in your comments – so much to be thankful for!!!