Tuesday, October 31, 2023

Thanksgiving Piano Group Lesson Plans 2023

Fall Piano Teaching Games

Scarecrow Stomp by Susan Paradis

Elementary: Identify Note Names on the Staff and Piano Keys
Intermediate: Name the Sharps or Flats in the Major Scale of the Staff Note, Identify Interval # and Quality (Major, Minor or Perfect?), Identify Key Signatures

Tips for Tricky Rhythms - Disciple of Christ

I was delighted to discover the new 2024 Youth theme song for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is now on the Sacred Music app. The vocal solo/piano sheet music is in a different key than the music on the app, but I love how it includes chord symbols so my piano students can play the melody over varying levels of left-hand accompaniments.

Disciple of Christ

Composition and Improvisation Free Resources for November

Elementary Level: Thankful Composing

I love finding a seasonal piano activity that I can use with all of my students at the same time. It definitely simplifies lesson planning!

The simple "I am Thankful" fill-in-the-blank free printable composition created by Kristin Yost can be used by young beginners, but it can also be expanded into a more difficult project for more advanced pianists or other instrumentalists.

Monday, October 16, 2023

Let's Play Music Bridge Online Activities

Choose the link below for lesson plans and activities that correlate with Let's Play Music Bridge (2nd semester). The theory, improvisation, and music and movement activities can be done in private lessons, group lessons, piano lab, or assigned for at-home practice.

#16 Falling Snow,D Major, Intervals Harmonic/Melodic - gdoc

#17 Sharps/Flats Order, H&S Chord Progression, Chopin - gdoc

Tuesday, October 10, 2023

Halloween Piano Group Lesson Plans 2023: Late Elementary

This post includes plans for my Halloween piano group lesson for late elementary piano students.

Late Elementary Halloween Piano Group Activities

Begin with "Don't Scare Me Surprise Me" student performances with ear training questions for listeners.

Minor Scale Ear Training

Play Songs in Disguise guessing game and demo some examples for the "Little Lamb Composing" take home activity.

Songs in Disguise Music Lesson Activity, Major and Minor, heidispianonotes.blogspot.com

Halloween Piano Group Lesson Plans 2023: Elementary

This post includes plans for my Halloween piano group lesson for elementary piano students.

Elementary Halloween Piano Group Activities

Note Naming Video and Game

Review Treble Spaces with Treble FACE Video. Move your hands up in the air on an "imaginary staff" as you chant F A C E.

Monday, October 9, 2023

Simple Piano Improvisation and Arranging Tutorial Videos: Count Your Blessings

Follow the steps below to create your own arrangement or improvisation of a hymn in the "Hymns Made Easy" book. The sample videos demonstrate the steps using the hymn "Count Your Blessings."

Melody Only

Begin by playing the melody line, right hand only.

Instead of playing the notated bass clef, try following the steps below to create your own variation.

Add an Accompaniment with Chord Roots

The "Hymns Made Easy" book already has chord symbols identified for you. If no chord root is indicated above the measure, play the chord root from the previous measure.

Saturday, October 7, 2023

Intermediate Piano Music Videos Rastall Level 4

Selecting Intermediate Piano Repertoire

Selecting the right level of intermediate piano music for students that they are excited to play can be challenging. Jane Magrath's Pianist's Guide to Standard Teaching and Performance Literature is a great resource, but I like having a list of repertoire that is more student-friendly for browsing.