I loved doing this and I won as well!!! Music student In Sophie’s last piano lesson we found ourselves in a clearing in the forest. Straight ahead was a rope ladder and next to it we could just about make out some kind of wooden chest hiding behind overgrown flowers. We carefully moved the flowers…
Spooky music theory games for Halloween
This is the first year I’m not teaching during Halloween week so won’t get to see any students turn up for lessons in their scary costumes! But if you are looking for some fun spooky themed games to play with your music students this week, I have several on my website and some are free….
How rock climbing inspired my piano playing
If you always do what is easy and choose the path of least resistance, you never step outside your comfort zone. Great things don’t come from comfort zones Roy Bennett A few weeks ago I went rock climbing for the first time. I’m not great with heights so it was quite a big deal for…
New ‘Studio’ pack of beginner games for piano teachers
If you are a ‘Studio Teacher‘ on my website, I’m delighted to let you know that my new Studio: Piano Beginner pack has been added to your account. Designed for use in lessons, this is a collection of online games including “Aliens Love Pizza” or “Sleeping Dragons” to make learning fun right from the first…
As a music teacher are you a Mrs Vivace or a Mrs Andante?
Play is not a break from learning. It is endless, delightful, deep, engaging, practical learning. It’s the doorway into the child’s heart! Vince Gowmon Imagine there are two rooms! In the first one Mrs Andante is teaching little Sophie the piano. They have just played some scales with the teacher testing each one in turn…
Pirate Treasure: a free two player music theory game
One of the first music theory games I made was Pirate Treasure and it has always been a huge hit with my students – particularly when playing against me! In this two player game, students have to really know their note values or risk losing! It covers 1, 2, 3 and 4 beat notes so…
How to improve your piano playing
Have I a secret about playing the piano? It is a very simple one. I sit down on the piano-stool and make myself comfortable – and I always make sure that the lid over the keyboard is open before I start to play Artur Schnabel Had to share this sound advice for piano players with…
Sparking the imagination in music lessons
“A good teacher can inspire hope, ignite the imagination, and instill a love of learning.” Brad Henry Hands up if your imagination was a huge part of growing up! As a child I remember making dens in the garden with friends and hiding from dragons, or dressing up with clothes from mum’s wardrobe and pretending to be characters…
Apple Rocket: a customisable music theory game
A game ideal for music lessons which allows teachers to choose any notes to suit each individual student! If your music studio is anything like mine, you will have students at all kinds of different levels. No two students are the same even if they are at the same page of the tutor book. Some…
A piano can tell a story
“There are eighty-eight keys on a piano and within that, an entire universe” James Rhodes I found this quote a while ago and it really struck a chord (no pun intended!). When learning the piano growing up, I always loved how I could pick up a book of music and be transported to a different…
The secret to becoming a better musician!
“You practice and you get better it’s that simple” Philip Glass Can’t really argue with that! Some sound advice to start the weekend.
Spooky Town: a music theory game
Visit Spooky Town – just don’t tap the bats in this music rests game! Are you a music teacher looking for Halloween music theory games for your students? Spooky Town is a fun game for beginners and covers simple rests of 1 and 2 beats plus the whole bar rest. Students answer questions before entering…
