Once a month, Andrea and I take a quick break from our regular blog posts to share the latest games from our monthly resource PianoGameClub with our readers. If you’ve been thinking about hopping on the “Game Train” check out the previews below.
February is one of those months when you just… need… piano games. With the “return to lesson” rush of January over and the excitement of spring and summer recitals still a long way off, February lessons run the risk of getting a bit… drab.
But with our piano games we are making it impossible for piano lessons this month to get anywhere close to drab (flip through the preview at the bottom of the post to check them out).
In fact, just recently a teacher wrote us to say:
“I joined your Piano Game Club at the beginning of my Fall Semester this year and it has absolutely transformed my studio. Students who were on the fence about lessons last year, now tell me they’ve been excited all week for their lesson – so that they can play these games! And little do they know, they’re learning all kinds of wonderful technique and music theory which improves their playing and makes their practice more effective. Win-win-win!”
What Concepts Are Our Games Teaching This Month?
If you want to jump ahead to the visual previews, scroll down and click on the image. But if you want to know what this month’s games are all about… keep reading.
Game 1 – Cheddar Chime
Ooooh, that bass clef… it can be a real beast for your young piano students who are learning to note read! But, with the Cheddar Chime game, difficulties reading bass clef notes just melt away. This unique game focuses on sets of bass clef notes, ensuring your students gain the repetition they need while experiencing success!
Game 2 – Race 2 Launch
Kids love a good race… especially when the reward to the victor involves “launching an object into space”. They’ll be so excited they won’t even realize they are exercising their ability to recognize and create eighth note rhythms. It’s the perfect game for introducing eighth notes or for kiddos who have trouble with quarter vs. eighth note rhythms.
Game 3 – Junk Drawer
For your older students, time signatures can be confusing and pretty dry. Unless, of course, they’re engaged in a deceptive battle of wits with their teacher to create a real mess (on their opponent’s game board) and win the game. This game explores 2/4, 3/4, 4/4 and 6/8 time signatures – and the unique strategy will have your older students begging for more. “I just have to tell you how much we enjoyed the junk drawer game. I was cleaning out my junk drawer because we are moving and it just became important to play it! How fun!” – Marilyn L.B.
Game 4 – Race Against Tide
The pirate enthusiasts in your piano studio will have a blast exercising their ear for crescendo and diminuendo while collecting treasure from the pirate chests. But, if they aren’t careful… they could lose their hard-earned coins! A nail-biting giggler 😉
Check out the previews below by clicking the image and if you think getting games every month like Cheddar Chime, Race 2 Launch, Junk Drawer, and Race Against Tide will kick your teaching up a notch then check out PianoGameClub here.
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Kathy says
are members of the game club allowed to send printed games home with the students, or are they intended for studio use only?
Andrea says
Hi Kathy! The games come with an unlimited printing license for use in your studio – print as many copies as you like! A game lending library is a great way of encouraging parental involvement at home!
Julie says
Andrea,
If I were to join the PianoGameClub today, would I get these games, as well?
Andrea says
Hi Julie – yes, as long as you sign up before February 26th you’ll receive this particular game set.
Wendy says
Hi Andrea! Have you thought of a way to allow the purchase of single games? I was a member for over a year and have so many games! I don’t use them all. Would love the opportunity to choose. Junk Drawer sounds like so much fun!
Jenny says
I am in the same boat. I’ve collected 4 games each month for over a year, so that comes to alot of games! As great as they are, I’ve only used a few of them, especially since many of the games are geared for younger/elementary students. I would also love the option to purchase single games!
Andrea says
Hi Jenny – a lovely problem to have… a ton of games! 🙂 We decided to opt for “over-delivering” with PianoGameClub rather than the opposite… and so yes, you will build up an amazing library of piano games quickly. Hopefully you can keep the games for younger students that you’ve held on to for when you have new beginners start in your studio in the coming years 🙂
Andrea says
Hi Wendy – at the moment we don’t plan on offering single games for purchase. The membership format allows us to create some incredible games with professional and inspiring artwork… and offer them at a price that would typically be applied to just one game. Instead, you receive 4 games for the $8…. which, given the time and effort we put into each and every game, we think is a screamin’ deal 😉 While you may not use them all immediately, we base our games on concepts found in all standard method books, so we’re sure that you’ll encounter the perfect situations soon!
Pam says
I think I asked this before, but is there a way to edit this games? My students dont use de A,B,C,D…. music notation!
Andrea says
Hi Pam – no, sorry they aren’t editable. Most don’t specify ABCD… as note names, however. You’d likely be fine with 95% of the games (except, as it happens, with “Cheddar Chime” this month) as typically the note reading portion shows a note on the staff and they then name it (in the system you prefer).
Jeanne says
I love all these games! We have so much fun and they are learning at the same time. This week we played Cheddar Chime and I heard how fun the game was quite a few times. I teach siblings that always expect to have a game or two set up for them to play with Mom or Dad while sister is having her lesson. It is wonderful to have such a variety of levels and subject matter. My main problem is keeping it all organized so I can remember to use them. I keep an ongoing list of games under categories such as note reading, chords and rhythm. That has been working for planning purposes so far. I am so glad I joined!
Andrea says
Hi Jeanne – so glad to hear you’re getting great use and feedback from the games. I love how you’re involving parents in the process too! Cheers 🙂
Jan says
I haven’t had the chance to play Race to Launch but I literally laughed out loud just reading the playing directions as I was printing and laminating the games this month. We are going to have so much fun with this!
Andrea says
That one is so much fun. Kids are literally shouting “Can we play Race 2 Launch?! PUHLEEZE” as they come up my driveway these days 😉
Jacqueline says
Andrea – I am a subscriber but haven’t received these yet. When will they be available?
Beverley says
I have introduced all four February games to various students and they are unanimously a hit. Today, I had twins (brother and sister) playing Junk Drawer, and their poker faces were hilarious as they tried to strategize against getting more junk. The Race to Launch game had them writing out rhythms with an excitement that I couldn’t possibly have inspired with a regular exercise. Cheddar Chime and Race Against Time are equally appealing. I’m not sure who enjoys the games more, me or the students!
Andrea says
So great to hear Beverly! 🙂 Thank you for taking the time to write to us – it makes us so happy to read this!
Mary says
I have had more success teaching Bass Clef notes by working down the lines from Middle C. 1st line = 1st letter of alphabet A – middle line in middle of 2 black keys D – last line = last letter of alphabet G – So easy to find rest of notes using those 3 Landmarks