Save the Turkey Game – Set 2

Save the Turkey set 2

In my last post I mentioned that I would post more  cards for the Save the Turkey Game. This set has a few more notes to identify and some more terms. My students have been enjoying this game. It is so easy to set up and play and doesn’t take much lesson time.

For directions to play please see read my previous post. You can find it here. I did not include the back of the cards in this PDF. If you want to print backs to these cards, set your PDF printing setting to Page 2 when you print the back. If you don’t want to print backs, I suggest you use some cute stickers on the back of the cards.

Hint: I printed this set on a different color of card stock than the first set so I can keep the levels separate. Or, you could combine the two sets.

Does anyone want another level? I have one but I don’t know if it’s too late to post this year.

Enjoy!

Musical Memory Game 5B

Musical Memory Game Level 5B

I’ve finally found time to post the second half of the vocabulary words to the 5th level of the Musical Memory Game. The cards for the first half of the words (which I call level 5A) were posted last week and can be found here. Feel free to mix words and symbols from different levels to suit the needs of your students.

It is not necessary to print the back of the cards to play the game. Please go to last week’s post for more information. If you want an easier game, check out levels 1 – 4. To make it a little easier, I have posted the links to the earlier levels here.

Level 4

Level 3

Level 2

Level 1

Snow Cone Signs and Symbols – a vocabulary worksheet

Snow Cone Signs and Symbols

The is the latest printable in my Summer Treat worksheet series. I’ve posted ones for rhythm and note reading, and now it’s time to review music vocabulary and symbols.  I think my students have had a lot of fun wondering what I would come up with next. They know they will not find out what the next ”treat” is until they finish the one they are working on.

A teacher emailed to ask me what program I use to make worksheets.  I draw all the art  by hand in Photoshop, a program that I have extensive experience in. The text for this one was  also written in Photoshop, using the Text Tool. Over the years I have drawn music brushes of various music symbols,  so I don’t need to use clip art. Photoshop is a difficult program, so I do not advise piano teachers to buy it just to make this kind of worksheet.

I am saving up to upgrade my programs, (the upgrade I need is is over $1000) so *thank you* so very much for your donations to  this website!  To all the teachers who are supporters of my website, I really can’t thank you enough!

UK cards for Rhythm Round About

My students love this game. It is fast, and doesn’t take up very much time in the lesson.

Rhythm Round About Game Board

Until today I didn’t have a version of the cards for those of you in the UK who use those quaint rhythm terms that always seem such a mystery to those of us in the U.S.,  such as semi-demi-hemi-mini-quaver. (That’s a joke!) I made these cards to fit business card cardstock, but if your paper is a different size, (such as A4) you might need to draw lines and cut it out.  Don’t forget I made some colorful backs below that you can print out. This photo was a prototype, so the final version looks a little different.

UK Rhythm Cards

 

Colorful Backs for Cards

On another topic, Wendy, over at ComposeCreate posted a picture of one of my darling students who is learning Tangy Tango, an early elementary piece she wrote that I reviewed earlier this year. My student loves it, especially when I play the loads-of-fun teacher duet with her!

 

Rhythm Round About – to identify notes and rests

Rhythm Round About Game Board

I made this game to help students who can’t remember the rhythmic names of notes. My younger ones don’t have any trouble remembering how many beats a note is worth, but they often either forget the name, or get the names mixed up. This is especially true with rests. I wanted a fun activity that would only take a few minutes of lesson time, and this is what I came up with.  Rhythm Round About  really moves along quickly, and if you only have a few minutes left at the end of a lesson, you might be able to play it several times. I tested it quite a lot with my students and they gave me helpful suggestions!

Rhythm Round About Cards

I found that printing 2 pages of the card PDF is enough for a teacher/student game. The cards will run out, but shuffle them and keep going. 

I did something different for the cards that go along with this game. A few years ago I bought a huge box of blank perforated business cards at a warehouse store for a very reasonable price.  I made the cards for this game to fit business cards, and I really like the size, and the fact that I don’t have to cut out anything!  The cards are 2″ X 3 1/2″.  For those of you who don’t have any blank business cards, my PDF also contains short cutting lines.

Since I love graphics, I usually draw a colorful back for my game cards.  This one has little pianos covered by dots to match the game board.

Colorful Backs for Cards

I laminated the game board, but since the cards are perforated, I coated them  with clear acrylic matte coating to keep the ink from smearing. Here in hot Texas, students’ hands will cause ink to smudge. If you are in a cooler climate, you might not have this problem. 

This is a good game to check if your students really know the rhythm symbol names for association tests!

If your students enjoy this game, leave a comment!

Christmas Vocabulary Matchup

Music Vocabulary Matchup

If it’s not too late in the season, here is a worksheet for first year students to draw lines to match up vocabulary words and symbols. Sometimes students arrive at group lessons early and it’s a good idea to have something to keep them busy! Or maybe you would like to do something different at the last lesson of the year.

When I drew this red and green border, I intended on making many levels of vocabulary words for all my students.  But I think I got carried away drawing the border and ran out of time!  I was interested in making something seasonal, but suitable for all ages. Maybe next year I can add to the series.

Musical Memory Game Level Four

Musical Memory Game Level Four

Today is level 4 of the Musical Memory Game cards that I made back in the summer. This set includes some of the vocabulary words and terms that are on Level Four of the Texas State Theory Test. It doesn’t include all the words in Level Four however, so keep that in mind if you are using these cards to study for the test.

Other Uses for the Musical Memory Cards

Do you have trouble getting students to notice expression marks and  other musical signs and symbols on their music?

A few months ago my friend Cecilly had a good idea to help students become aware of the symbols  in a new piece of music. She calls that game Sign and Symbol Hunt and you can read how to play it here, or look in Cecilly’s Games category. You can use these cards for that activity.

I like to call this a “treasure hunt” and tell the students that looking for expression marks is like looking for hidden treasure. You can mix and match from all the levels of cards I’ve posted for this activity.

And, of course, you can use the cards from all four levels in the series as mini-flash cards.

Or, at a group lesson, you can put the cards in a bowl and let students draw them out. The student who knows the most cards wins. What? You have different levels in your group lessons? Don’t we all! Put your students in teams and let the older students explain the meaning to the younger ones.

As you can see, there are many ways to use these cards other than playing a memory game, so be creative! If you have some ideas, please post your comment here rather than email me, so we can share with other teachers.  Comments are closed after 30 days.

Have I left off any symbols and vocabulary words that you would like to see? If I  get a request for 8 new different words or signs, I’ll make another set of cards.

Music Memory Level Three

Musical Memory Game Level Three

Today I am posting the third level of the Musical Memory Game, which is a review of musical symbols and vocabulary words. Today’s level includes the terms tie, brace, natural, slur, legato staccato, and tonic or key note as some teachers call it.  There are two pages in the PDF file for you to download, and the second page, which is the back of the cards, is optional.

Monday I am going to post the last level I have in this series. One of my students told me yesterday it is his favorite table game. Maybe it’s because he can beat me!

Musical Memory Game Level Two

 

Musical Memory Game Level Two

Today I am posting the second set of my Musical Memory Game series. This level has the symbols of the second level of the Texas State Theory Test, but they are also appropriate for all average age beginning piano students. There are 8 symbols and vocabulary words: dotted half note, sharp, flat, piano, forte, 2nd, 3rd, and half step. I am using this set with second graders, if that gives you an idea of the age. Of course, it is also appropriate for older beginners. You can also mix these up with the level one game cards.  If you want the back to all 4 levels of this series to be the same color, pick the back you like best and use it for the entire series. I have found that a grid to place the cards really helps little ones, and you can print one here.  MusicalMemory_Grid

If you have never tried introducing theory terms before you introduce them in the student’s lesson book, you might want to rethink this. I love the fact that my students have been introduced to symbols and terms before they actually play them.

Take for instance the sharp symbol.  If you wait until the sharp is introduced in their method book, that is a lot more information the student has to assimilate in his brain for one piece, if you really want to teach the concept. You have to teach the physical properties of playing it, the visual, the concept of a half step up, and how to read it in a measure. Then you have to teach how to play the piece, including reading the notes and rhythm!

Alternately, if you do what I do and the student is already familiar with the sharp before they get to it in their book, there is a lot less to introduce at the lesson, and the student has a large measure of confidence, because they already know what a sharp is. 

So I do not wait for method books to chose the time when I introduce musical concepts. Who started that, anyway? I can’t imagine Bach turning a page in Anna’s notebook and saying, “Oh, look, today we’re going to learn an upper mordent.” I’m not anti-method book by any means, but I am trying to spread the word that we don’t have to follow a book like we’re chained to it.

Musical Memory Level One

Musical Memory Game Level One

This summer I finished up the theory memory games I started last spring for all the early levels of piano lessons.  These games are just like my Rhythm Memory Game, except they use vocabulary words and musical signs. Since I think memory games are more fun with  colorful backs,  I made the graphic for the back of the cards that you see above. Also, each level has a different color graphic on the back so I can keep the levels sorted correctly. The levels contains the vocabulary and symbols on the Texas State Theory Test. However, I could not fit all the words on level 4 because I only had 8 spaces. 

If this game looks familiar, it is the same game I posted in April, but I have changed the back sides. This time I promise to add the other 3 levels in my next posts. Last spring I was busy with recital plans and dropped the ball on the other levels.

Even if your students don’t take a special theory test, every piano student needs to learn these terms.  What better way to learn them than by playing a memory game? The student turns over two cards, trying to match the symbol with the definition. It is fun to play it with a partner, and the one who collects the most pairs wins. If there is only one student, I am the other player. The student can also play alone if you have the time.  I’ve noticed students who are good at sight reading are also good at this game, so a good memory helps with that skill.

If you would like to see how I set up and store music memory games, check out this post.  I am going to post a grid for this game to make it easier to play, so check back.

Sign and Symbol Hunt — from Cecilly

 

 

This is a picture I took along the coastal highway in California where I was visiting for a few weeks. The clouds are descending down from the mountains, but you can still see a little bit of the Pacific Ocean in the right corner. What a beautiful state, and the people are so friendly! I look forward to visiting again some day.

While I was there Cecily sent me a new activity. I’ve already thought of different ways I can vary this activity, and I’m sure it will spark your imagination, too. Cecilly is really creative when it comes to thinking up new ways to make piano lessons more interesting.  She designed this as a refresher activity when students return from their summer break, as well as prepare new repertoire. I’m going to try this with all my festival pieces and see if it will help students put in expression from the very beginning. If you have a student who never notices what is on the page, try this out. I will be making some flash cards with signs and symbols, so check back for that.  

Here is the game in her own words. Thanks, Cecilly, for sending it to me.

Sign & Symbol Hunt

Materials needed: a specific piece of music you plan to prepare with a student
as part of their assignment, flashcards of all the signs & symbols present in
the score of that piece plus a few extra ones that aren’t in the score.

Set up: Place all the flash cards face up on the floor or table top in random
fashion.

To play: Open the student’s book to the given piece you’ll be preparing and
introduce it by title, etc. Ask the student to take about 10 seconds to
carefully look over the music making mental notes of any signs and symbols he sees that
will help him learn the piece and play it musically. After this time, have the
student bring his book to the floor or table of flashcards and find as many of
the signs/symbols he can in the music on the flashcards. He can gather the cards
into a pile. There should be some left over because you placed extra ones.
Return to the piano with the book and cards. Then take the first card. Have
the student find this sign/symbol in the score, and then depending on the card,
help the student apply the sign/symbol at the piano. For example, if the card
is the time signature symbol for the meter of the piece, have him point along
the melodic line and count metrically. If the card is a slur sign, select a
phrase and challenge the student to play that phrase smoothly. If it’s a
dynamic sign, find where that dynamic marking is in the music and challenge the
student to play that phrase or section at that dynamic level. If it’s an 8va
higher sign, find it in the score and help the student practice making the 8va
move. So whatever the sign/symbol is, the student can “prepare” for this
element on the spot.

This will help draw the student’s attention to all the signs/symbols in the
score, refresh them in his mind AND fingers, and prepare the piece for his
assignment all in one fell swoop.

Enjoy.

Cecilly

Silly Sentences for Summer Group Lessons

 

Silly Sentences with no graphics

I had some requests for the Silly Sentences Game without the Christmas graphics. I made this game for a holiday group lesson and I was surprised how much the students enjoyed it. Other teachers, too, said their students liked it and asked me to take off the Christmas graphics so they could play it anytime. So, finally, here it is, just in time for summer group lessons and music camps.  To play the game and read the directions, look back at my original post from December 2009, called, appropriately, Silly Sentences.  

This new black and white version has two PDF pages, one with the vocabulary words and one with the silly sentences. If you have younger students, use the sentences near the top, and use the cards toward the end with your older students.

Wouldn’t it be fun for students to make up their own silly sentences? Teachers with long summer camps might have time to do that.

Theory Memory Game Level 1

Theory Memory Game

This is the first in a set of memory games to teach music theory vocabulary words. This set uses the words in Level 1 of the TMTA Student Affiliate theory test. In TMTA, this is the first school grade level. Levels 2 and 3 will be posted soon.

The first page contains the vocabulary words and symbols. Students play it like regular memory games, but instead of matching the exact card, they match the symbol with the definition. The second page is a graphic for the back of the cards. The third page is a handy grid to place the cards which  is very helpful for young students. I like to glue this on the inside of a pocket folder, which I also use to store the cards. You can take a look at my post on how I store my other memory games  to see how it looks. This game can be played with the teacher, another student, or alone.

 

Updated cards for Musical Christmas Lights

Cards for Musical Christmas Lights

When I first made Musical Christmas Lights,  it was for beginners and there was only one card with easy music symbols. When I expanded the cards with more symbols so I could play it with older students, I never updated the little cards pictured above to go with them. So for all of you who have been puzzled about it, here are the updated cards. Now you know why this game seemed a little incomplete. Thanks to all of you who brought it to my attention. Without you being my editor, who knows how many mistakes I would have on my website?

Every time I play this game, I make up new rules. Sometimes my students think of better ways to play than I do! I try to make all my games flexible so that I can use them with different age groups, at private lessons, and in group lessons.

I’ve been wondering if I could make a different graphic for  this game so that it could be played year round. Instead of a Christmas tree, I could draw something different.  Any suggestions? Email me with your ideas, and if one strikes my fancy and seems like something I could draw, I’ll make it in the future.

I made a New Year’s game last year that is similiar to this game, except it is  for beginners.  If you need something for January or for a joyful celebration such as Carnival or Fasching,  check it out.

In the meantime, I am suffering from a very painful back problem and sitting at the computer for more than a few minutes is impossible. I have not been able to make anything new for several weeks now. I’ve always been an active person and I am pretty miserable, not being able to do anything without a lot of pain. I’ve been to the doctor and it is supposed to be getting better, but so far it hasn’t. Please keep me in your prayers that I will be out of pain and able to enjoy the holidays! Thanks!

Silly Sentences

Silly Sentences Vocabulary Cards

Silly Sentences

My students said this was their favorite game at our recent group lesson. It is very simple. Print and cut out all the cards. Put the vocabulary/musical expression cards in one bowl and the silly sentences in another bowl. Choose your sentences to go with your age groups. The first few sentences are good for younger children but  I didn’t use those with my older students.  You don’t have to use all the cards when you play  because you don’t want the game to be too long.

Here are the directions. Cut out the cards and put the sentences in one bowl and the music vocabulary cards in another. Make a list of the vocabulary words that you will be using for the group and post it so all the students can see it.  This is optional for high school groups.

The first student will draw a sentence card and a vocabulary card. Without telling the group the vocabulary word, he has to read the sentence using that musical expression.  Then students have to guess what expression is being used. Then you chose another person to be the reader. In some of the groups, the student who drew did not know the what the word meant. So I took him to a private place and told him the definition. That is fine with me, because a lot of students knew more vocabulary when they left than when we started!

After Christmas I am going to post the same cards without the Christmas decorations so you can use it for other group lessons during the year. Please remind me if I forget.

Have fun!