Evolving Music Education

I’ve been using a note reading game on my iPhone for several months, called “Note Squish” with some impressive results. In the video, I’ll explain a little bit about the game, and then you’ll get to see a student playing it. I’ve tried many different note reading games on my iPhone, but this one really is the best (unless I missed one). There are several things I like about it. First of all, it’s actually FUN! The sound effects and graphics are engaging. Second, you can easily scale up or down the level and challenge by choosing which notes to display, or adjusting the speed of the game (slow, medium and fast).

You can visit www.guitargames.net to find these games online, and you can get the game for your iPhone here.

As for other games, I was told by the creator of the game: “There are several apps that work for piano: Note squish, Note fish, Woody Says, The Melody Game, Super Scale Trainer, Music Theory Blocks, Ear Tester, and Key Hunt. All those either have a piano mode or teach more general concepts.” Very cool! I will definitely be trying some of the other ones out myself.

Its only $19.95 a YEAR for the online version, and this gives you access to ALL the games on guiargames.net. You can try all the games for FREE for one month. The iPhone app of note squish is only 99 cents. If you do sign up for an online version through this link, I would receive a small affiliate commission for sharing it with you. But since I do no advertising on this site, and put in many hours of extra time, if you REALLY like the game and don’t mind using my link, that would be great! If you choose not to, you can just go directly to www.guitargames.net without the link.

Hello! I recently received another question:

So I am extremely new to the teaching world. This is literally my first time teaching piano and I’m just going to be teaching a few kids, but I am a little unsure of exactly what to do. I’m 16 and have a high level of piano, theory, and music skill. I’m just unsure of where to start. I want to be able to get to know their skill levels and then go from there hitting theory, sight reading, and ear training first. I was just wondering if you could offer some tips? Maybe some suggestions on what I should focus on and what books are the best for beginners?

I’m going to tackle this question in two separate posts.

First, I’ll show my basic plan for a first piano lesson with a beginner.

It’s covered mainly in this video, but below I’ve outlined the main points and added a little more information below.

Don’t forget, you can ask me a piano teaching question anytime…

First Piano Lesson: Step by Step

This is the basic run-down of what’s on the board, details in the video!

1. “Copy Cat” – black note game
2. Musical Alphabet – say/write (no piano) – More about the musical alphabet here.
3. White Notes – putting the musical alphabet onto the piano
4. Find all C’s, D’s etc. – isolating specific white notes
5. Finger Numbers
6. C Position – More about beginning hand position.

That’s the normal progression of what I usually cover in the first lesson. I do most of this without a book.

But then I DO try to get to the first 3-4 songs in the Primer Lesson Book (either in the beginning of the book, or in the middle – I start in different places depending on age and how well they do with the other stuff.)

Here’s the biggest takeaway off all though, which I didn’t mention in the video:

A lot of what I do in the first lesson is NOT about the material. It’s about my first moments with the student, laying the groundwork for a positive relationship, getting a feel for the students emotional, intellectual, and psychological demeanor.

I keep it loose, and don’t ever strictly follow this plan by rote, allowing room for creativity, fun and experimentation. But just like playing a jazz standard, Its good to have a framework to work from, and deviate from it if necessary.

So remember: I’ll be answering more of this question, in a second post, to come shortly, so stay tuned! Sign up on the email list or RSS feed if you haven’t already. Thanks!

I recently received another GREAT question about teaching piano students ages 11-14. Let me share it with you (summarized):

Wow, well I think we’ve all run into this trap before! In this video, I attempt to answer it with some useful tips. Also, below is a summary of what I wrote on the board, along with some additional information. Hope it helps!

Note: Also below are links to the three repertoire books I mention in the video.

• Attention and Interest = Progress. This means, at this age group, I move my thinking to “keep their interest peaked and attention there” instead of younger students, who do tend to just advance linearly through method books.
• Try ANYTHING. Be willing to go very out of your comfort zone to try anything and everything. Singing, drumming, jazz, hip-hop, reggae, country… try it all!
• Review the basics – If you can keep their attention and interest, check in on the basics of note and rhythm reading.
• SURPRISE them – I LOVE this one.  Grab some 2 Part Bach Inventions, easy Mozart.  Tell them its their next song and they’re going to learn it.  Watch the reaction. Some kids that age love a challenge, and love feeling like you’re telling them they are good enough to try it.
• Deadlines – Work in some kind of deadline where they have to learn something, either for a recital or recording.  Many kids that age will rise to the occasion.
• Technology – Grab their attention with note reading games on an iPhone (more on that to come later) or notation software or electronic keyboards.
• Social Encouragement – I love this one too. Hold a duets session where they have to play music with another peer. Or have them accountable to playing music for another peer. Maybe they could write a song with another piano student.
• Creative – Jazz, theory, chords, improvisation – some students start to gravitate more towards this type of music.
• PREVENTION – With all younger piano students, be thinking about the day when they arrive at age 11, 12 etc.  And prepare them for that time, with a strong foundation in note reading and rhythm reading.

Books Mentioned

- Piano Bench of Classical Music
- Piano Bench of EASY Classical Piano
- The Joy of First Piano Classics

Finally, to the person who asked the question, I do not think you’re alone here at all.  And to answer you question specifically, I think its OK to a degree to put a song aside for a while if its not going anywhere: but always go back and review it at a later time.  And tell the student you will be doing so, so its expected.  If I’m “passing” kids on songs they really shouldn’t be passing on, I am doing something else to go back and cover that material: whether it be an additional method book, or performance book, or a review later.

And one last thing of note, with piano students this age, especially early teens.  I find they might not practice for WEEKS, literally.  But somehow if they get 30 minutes of practice in sometime, their progress from that one practice session is enormous.  (I think I got into college for piano from only 6 months of practice, seriously.)

So yes, certainly don’t beat yourself up about it – its common for that age, keep doing what you’re doing and try some of the ideas above!