Some teachers use “music money” as a reward system. At the end of a specified period, students can exchange the music money for various items. You can set the price of each item at whatever you think is best.
You can give music money for filling out assignment sheets, playing with a steady beat, sitting up straight, having a good hand position, weekly improvement, learning a scale, playing with good dynamics, having a great attitude, and many other things. I like to give out rewards generously.
Remember, this is not real money, so when students buy items, they don’t need to be realistically priced. The price will depend on how generous you are with giving out the money and how long your contest runs.
Teachers differ in how they store the money students earn. Some keep it an envelop in their assignment book and some save it for the students in the music studio.
Before you start something like this, plan it out to the smallest detail. Check on prices and items you will use in your store. If you plan early, you can find items children like on sale or at a dollar store. You might find a business or even a parent who will donate items. One time I had a mother donate inexpensive nail polish that she had stocked up on and a Dad in marketing donated some fun items from his business. You can find unused items at garage sales or a friend my have some new things she would like to get rid of. One time a store was selling pencil cases for 5 cents each so I picked some up.
Plan how you will announce it to your families and how long you will run the reward system. Plan on how you will store the music money and what you will do if it is lost or a student or parent gets upset.
Don’t just start passing out music money without a good plan! This is how we get in trouble! 
By planning, you will come up with creative ideas that work best in your studio. What works with one teacher may not work for you. You have to be comfortable with it. If you are a traveling teacher or have no storage space, this contest may not work for you.
I have used this kind of reward system off and on for at least 25 years. It works best for me to use it for a short time period. Other teachers find it very satisfying to do all year long, every year.
If the idea of giving a reward for something a student should be doing anyway rubs you the wrong way, then don’t get started with music money. You will feel put upon and resentful and the whole thing will be an ordeal and not a fun thing that adds a little interest in your studio. Don’t apologize or get defensive about the way you feel one way or the other. All teachers are different and that is a good thing!
This file is not currently posted on the web. If you are interested, I will send you the PDF file if you will email me at my gmail address. [Due to the large volume of requests, this will be the only way I can reply for the time being. I will not be able to honor requests that are left as comments here. ] susanparadis.wordpress.com/contact/
Great idea, bravo!
I’ve come up with a reward system with stickers but I am thinking of reworking it to include the music dollars – I would love a pdf of the music money – thanks for thinking of how to print using minimal ink….
Please send an email request and I will be glad to reply with the file. -Susan
Susan,
I’ve begun using Cecilly’s incentive program this school year and am amazed at the excitement of the kids. Could you send me the PDF file for the money?
Thanks!
This is exactly what I have been looking for and absolutely have not had the time to create it myself. I have a student that has been asking me for 4 weeks straight when we are starting piano bucks. Will you please send me the file?? Thank you so much for providing this.
Due to the large number of requests, if you would like the file, please request it by emailing me. I will send it promptly. Thanks!
-Susan
Hey Susan,
Thanks for a great idea and solid advice to help others get started with a program. I would greatly appreciate it if you would send me the file for your groovy music $ so I can print it out and plan my program.
Thanks again,
Connie
I would love the file on the music money also. Youve done a great job, and so kind for sharing. Judy from canada
Susan, I would love a copy of your music bucks file. Thank you so much for offering this. I am so in awe of such creativity. I know a good thing when I see it, but don’t do well at designing it.
Gratefully,
Jane Scheef
Could you please send me the music money file? These are beautifully designed and will fit perfectly into my music money incentive this year. Thank you so much!
Thanks for all the feed back!
Susan, thank you for posting this. I think they’re great–beautifully designed, so usable!
Susan, your music dollars are beautifully designed. However, I kind of wish the dollars were bigger in size. Thanks, tho for your willingness to make and share your great resources.
Joanne, that’s good advise!
I’m glad you like the music money. I was trying to make something that would not use too much ink!
-Susan
Susan,
What a beautiful job you did on Music Money. In thinking about it, you are right. It would take A LOT of planning. If I were to use it, it would be for in-studio activities, like posture, hand position, memorization, etc. I have found that through a practice activity, some of my students aren’t quite honest
I’ll have to give the Music MOney more thought before I jump into it.
I’ve been enjoying your pre-reading pieces!!!