Piano teachers should compose with their primer students every lesson. I have seen composing turn completely disinterested students into 7-day-a-week practice machines. And I have seen composing take already-inspired students and turn them into kids who can’t stop making music!
For most teachers, however, composing with kids is just too daunting a task.
And that’s because many teachers equate composing with creating an entire piece of music… which, for most 7-year-olds, is next to impossible.
Instead, young kids need a simple, gentle approach to start penning some piano music; an approach that begins with creating simple melodies to complete piano pieces that have been carefully crafted to sound good with any music they make.
And today, we’re sharing a Primer Piano Storybook Composing series that has pioneered that approach for young piano students! Keep reading below to learn more.
Get Primer Kids Composing With Our Magical Motives
Today we are excited to announce the release of 3 primer piano composing books, available on Amazon. In these heart-warming books that speak to the power of music, you and your students will compose your way through a captivating adventure by creating missing motives (motifs) for unfinished piano pieces. The series includes Barnyard Brooke and The Magical Motives, James B. Daring and the Magical Motives, and Penny Petticrew and the Magical Motives.
5 Things To Know About Primer Piano Storybook Composing
- These books are teacher-led resources to be used during piano lessons. You will need to read the stories and the instructions to your students. While older students will enjoy writing motives on the missing measures, younger students may require some assistance during this task.
- Your students will not be required to compose entire piano pieces. Instead, they will create simple motives (short recurring melodies) for unfinished piano pieces, and then “fill-in-the-blanks”.
- Teachers do not need to know how to compose to use these resources. We include easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions that teachers can follow to help their students make their magical motives.
- Every piano piece will sound good! The unfinished piano pieces are designed to work with any motive composed by your piano students. The guided music-making process ensures success.
- These resources are sneaky ways to reinforce note reading. Because your piano students are required to complete missing measures with their magical motives they will be reinforcing note reading as they write music on the staff.
Check Out Our Storybook Composing Series On Amazon
Barnyard Brooke and the Magical Motives, James B. Daring and the Magical Motives, and Penny Petticrew and the Magical Motives are all available on Amazon. Hop on over there and take your primer students on a music-making adventure.
Kelly Koch says
I used Barnyard Brooke for a Songwriting Class for 5-8 year olds. It was AMAZING. They all got magical bandanas that helped them write, we used farm stickers and at the end published their music. We then used those songs in our MOM & Me music class for babies! They were so proud. Thanks for these incredible resources.
Andrea says
Hi Kelly! I remember that class you did – so cool! I love the idea of the bandanas and then of sharing their creations with your other class! Fabulous, motivating and creative – as always you rock! 😉
Marian Pease says
We have used several of your composing stories and single sheets for special holidays in our studio. I have seen several students really thrive and enjoy. It brings a lot of positivity and fun and the parents are so impressed!!! Thank you!
Andrea says
Hi Marian! I’m so glad! Yes – that’s one amazing byproduct of composing with young students – their parents are SO excited to see their children being creative and taking an active role in music-making. Kiddos are so proud of their own creations (but so are their parents!) Thanks for commenting – we hope you love the books!
Mary McGovern says
These look amazing! So many of my students are taking off, and making strides your books, worksheets, etc. Thank you both for all you do!!
Andrea says
Hi Mary – we’re so glad to hear it! It’s amazing what can be accomplished with a playful approach filled with imagination and game-based learning 🙂 We’re so glad you’re experiencing that magic! Thanks for commenting so kindly!
Rita Renee Martin says
Hi. Are these the same books that were offered through PBC?
Love Wunderkeys/PBC/TPT
Andrea says
Hi Rita – Barnyard Brooke was modified to be in Middle C position and the layout has changed, but yes, the story, illustrations, and music in the other books is all the same 🙂
Rita Renee Martin says
Ok, thank you!!
I have a tween who has discovered “Wolf”!! He’s excited!!
I have a teen who is love with “Dreamer” from the Pop Studies…
I have a youngster who will love these books.
Andrea says
Fabulous! We love to hear it 🙂