NEW Teaching Resources for February!
These resources are available with a PianoForte Printable Membership.
Story Song : ‘One Little Fox’
(Level One) - I LOVE this one, students learn to sing and play a little melody that is then inserted at different places in the story.
We read it together and stop to sing and play at different times. The students are prompted to be creative with the melody with suggestions to make it sound “high and sweet”, “fast and fierce” etc. It’s perfect for home practice because parents can get involved by being the story readers.
This can have SO MANY different creative teaching variations. ‘One Little Fox’ is certainly the first of many Story Songs!
Solfa Ladders - 11 Different Designs!
(Level 2+) - When students finish Level One they know all of the solfa syllables and the solfa hand signs (Curwen Hand Signs). At this point I find that it’s also useful to use a Solfa Ladder. This is a wonderful tool for students who are especially visual, but it also helps establish the order of solfa both ascending and descending for everyone.
This is a really helpful tool throughout both level 2 and 3 - but it’s also helpful when students are learning scales. Basically, anytime they need a visual representation of intervals the Solfa Ladder saves the day.
I was only going to create one of these ladders but became quite excited about this project. I created 11 designs! Students can choose their favourite in lessons or they can take a copy of their favourite home with them. (Note - I laminate them to they are durable - I use them A LOT!)
Stay tuned for the March resources where there is something new all about semi-tones. These ladders are very useful then too!
Keyboard Geography: Music Spelling Word Search
(Level 2+) - It can take a while for students to feel confident naming the keyboard letter names. This is a simple exercise that is quick, fun and effective. They label the letters of the keys which spell simple words, then they find those words in the Word Search.
I often elaborate on this game by having them spell words on the piano keyboard itself using little letter tiles like these Wooden Alphabet Tiles. It’s fun to see the words spread across the piano keyboard - especially words like ‘CABBAGE’!
These worksheets are perfect to use during the lesson if the student likes a bit of paper theory time, but they are also excellent to send home as homework. Quick - Easy - Fun!
Rhythm Composing Game
(Level 3+) - This game is fun and so helpful for students who need to reinforce concepts like rhythm value, pulse and counting. It’s designed for later on in Level 3, when students have learned the semi-quaver / 16th note, but is still basic enough that it makes sense to them without a lot of conceptualising or needing to dissect note values. The beats are still represented as heart symbols which makes it easy for them to navigate note values.
The concept is simple, roll the dice and then write in the rhythm value that corresponds to the dice number. Students will have to make some creative choices to make sure the values add up correctly - excellent practice in counting the beats.
There are also loads of ideas that can accompany this game - teacher and student can complete different sheets togetherm creating differennt rhythmic patterns. Then this rhythm patterns can be performed together in a duet on drums or with clapping.
Harmony Improv - C Major
(Major Scales +) - This is the first in a collection of 15 Harmony Improv pieces for Major Keys. There will be 15 in total, including the enharmonic keys. Of course, they will all be transposable, but each one will be written with a key signature, giving the student practice reading in a key whilst harmonising an improvised chord accompaniment.
These pieces are written as a melody with Roman Numeral notation in the bass. This gives students the opportunity to think of the chords in relationship to each other (in solfa). This is also the very early stages of Schenkerian analysis and Figured Bass notation.
The melody is lovely and easy to read, and there is the option to notate an accompaniment by hand if desired.
