The Incredible Whole Rest – Another NoteBoy Poster

The Incredible Whole Rest

Do your students think that a whole rest always gets 4 beats? If so, they probably get confused when they are asked to add a rest for the entire measure in 3/4 time and not use dotted rests! According to the Oxford Concise Dictionary of Music, “The whole-note rest is used as a whole measure rest, irrespective of the actual time-value of the measure.”

I print out my NoteBoy posters on cardstock and laminate them. Then I place them on the sofa table in my studio for students to read and chuckle before their lesson. Humor has a way of sticking to your memory!

Teachers always ask me who is the note with the red cape and mask who always has a little comment to make. He is Mighty Dot, the super hero who wears black and flies to notes to make them longer. He’s a powerful guy. In my mind he has an accent kind of like Zorro, and he is an expert in rhythm and all things theory related!

If you are not familiar with my NoteBoy posters, check them out. There are NoteBoy posters on all kinds of music theory, such as lead sheet, ledger lines, and chord inversions, and they are all my gift to your music students.  My students love them! Let me know if yours do, too!

I Can Count Rests

I Can Count Rests

As a teacher or parent, you already know that children vary greatly in the ages they learn cognitive skills. I tried today’s I Can Count Rests  and its companion,  I Can Count Rhythm, with preschool children and they had no trouble writing the number of beats the notes/rests received, but had trouble drawing the notes. They also drew a blank when it came to the last section, counting the notes. So I am not recommending these rhythm worksheets for children who cannot add and subtract. The part where they have to cross out the extra rest is too complex, and it is a lot harder than the math they are doing in school.

On the other hand, a 7-year-old loved the last section the best and thought it was so much fun she asked me to make her some more examples just like it.

[I have a silly poster that helps them learn the difference between whole and half rests. If your students get mixed up, try using this printable. It really helps.]

In my last post, I listed some easy rhythm games. To keep you from having to go back,  here are the links again for simple  games to review rests and notes: Quarter Note Hunt, Fish Rhythm Matching Cards,  Rhythm Round About, Counting Up the Mountain, and the black ink Rhythm Memory Game.

I hope you find just the right age for these worksheets. They are large enough to use on an iPad or some tablet of that size. Click on the title link under the picture to print them, and be sure you are using the latest version of Adobe Reader.

Some teachers in places I would love to visit have asked about a version using the UK names for notes and rests. I don’t have time to post it, but for a limited time if you will send me your email address,  I will be happy to email it to you.

Christmas and Seasonal Printables

It’s time for the yearly roundup of  Christmas and seasonal printables from my website.  If you can’t find the directions to some of these games,  do a search or ask in the comment section. To print, click on the picture, which will take you to my website. From there, click on “download” and you will be able to download and print the file.

Snowmen and Reindeer Notes

Snowmen and Reindeer Rhythm

The Snowmen and Reindeer theme  was a new set of Christmas games I designed last year.  My students loved the colorful design. There are cards for the games on my website.

Snowmen and Reindeer Intervals

Ornament Bingo

This is a game for beginners who are learning the names of piano keys.

  Christmas Note Bingo

This year I revised this fast, easy, bingo game. It is easier to read and uses less ink.

Christmas Composing Train

Beginning students write finger numbers or letter names to write their first song.

Christmas Worksheet

Christmas Notes in Random Order

Color the Chanukah Gift

Golden Menorah composing activity

Peppermint Notes

Students can use peppermints as notes or to construct key signatures.

Ornament Notes

This is a black and white printable for students to color the names of notes.

Draw the Ornaments

Students write notes on the grand staff on this printable. To save ink, place it inside a sheet protector or laminate it,  and  use a dry erase or a wet erase pen.

Gingerboy Keys

Light up the Tree

This is a (mostly) black and white printable for students to color notes on a Christmas tree according to the names of notes on the staff. It is similar to Ornament Notes, but different so siblings won’t have the same printable.

Christmas Musical Symbols Vocabulary

Students match music vocabulary to the correct answer.

Christmas Tree Vocabulary Words

This is a quick printable that is fun for group lessons.Students try to find all the music words.

Christmas Tune Challenge

Students love “name that tune” games. I find it very helpful to have a list of carols in plain view that they can choose from. You can list your carols on this printable.

Cards for Silly Sentences

This is a different kind of game for older students at group lessons. My high school students had fun and reviewed some music terms. Be sure to download the sentences found here, and use the easier cards for younger students.

If you are looking for easy Christmas piano music, go here, and scroll way down past all the Halloween music. I have posted many carols in pre-reading notation. Have fun!

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Chasing the Turkey Board Game

Chasing the Turkey

After we finish taking the state theory test, I give my students a theory break. I don’t assign formal theory work to complete at home and bring back. This makes everyone happy, including me, because by now we’re all kind of “theory weary.” But there is the problem of forgetting everything we carefully learned. So I like to play theory games to keep everything fresh in my students’ minds. They don’t mind reviewing theory in a game. In fact, they like it!

If you’re looking for a Thanksgiving game, I hope your students love this one as much as my students did. I don’t know if it was the farmer with his ax, using dice, or if it was the fact that they all beat me. (I must be the most unlucky person in the world!)  This game meets my criteria for a music lesson game. It is fast and over quickly, so it doesn’t take much lesson time.

There are several levels of cards included in this printable. Look at all seven pages in this PDF, and only print what you need. If you don’t know how to do that, see my last post for instructions. The last page in this set is an optional back to the cards, but I didn’t use it!

The nice thing about this game board is that you don’t have to print out the cards I made. I also played this game using note flash cards to review note names, and for beginners, keyboard flash cards. If you want to review all the major and minor key signatures, check out my key signature flash cards on my website.

Objective

• To review previously learned musical symbols, intervals, key signatures, and vocabulary.
• To enjoy a seasonal game.

Ages

• Grades 1-5, using the appropriate cards for the concepts students have learned.

Materials

• Game board.
• Cards with musical symbols and terms, or use your own cards.
• One die.
• Tokens. (I used milk carton tops.)

Directions

• The game can be played with two or more players
• Print the game board and cut out the cards or use your own cards.
• Each player puts his token on the game board. The first player draws a card and answers the question.
• Then he rolls the die and moves the number of spaces on the die. If he lands on a circle with instructions, he follows the instructions, such as taking a short cut, or moving back to Start.
• The game continues in the same way with the other players.
• The first player to reach Safe is the winner.
• Optional: Write the instructions on the back of the game board for future use.

Why I like this game

• My students loved it and didn’t want to stop playing.
• It really helped them remember their theory vocabulary and terms.
• By using flash cards I already have, I can modify the game for all ages.

Nine Keys – a Key Signature Board Game

Nine Keys

If your students take a standardized theory test like mine do, you know how hard it is for some students to learn key signatures. My fifth grade students need to know nine key signatures for the TMTA theory test, so I created a fun board game that they enjoy.

I find that if I make something colorful and kind of silly, they all want to play. And as they play, they learn, even if I have to help them at first. Like we all do, I teach students how to figure out key signatures by themselves using the circle of 5ths. But  it is a good idea to learn to identify them quickly, because it gives students confidence. As time goes by, they realize the benefits of knowing key signatures quickly, just as knowing multiplication tables quickly gives them confidence in math.

How To Print

Read this section before you print all 4 pages. To download, click the link under the image above. This printable PDF includes 4 pages.The first page is the game board. The next two pages are the calling cards. I made the calling cards to fit on business card templates that are perforated for easy separation so that I don’t have to cut them. If you don’t have business card templates, there are some hash marks for you to draw a few lines to help you cut out the cards. The last page is the optional back to the cards.

Under the Pages to Print instructions in the pop-up box, select “Pages”, and then type 1-3.  In order to print on the back, insert pages 2 and 3 into your printer and type 4  in the Pages selection box. You will need to know which side of the paper your printer prints on, so test that out before you waste paper.

Materials

• Nine Keys, the free printable game board from my website
• The cards, cut or separated, and (optional) printed on the back
• Two game tokens, such as old car keys or key charms from a craft store

Directions

• Students should have a basic understand of key signatures in order to play. They might need help with the answers at first, and that is how they will learn.
• Student and teacher take turns drawing a calling card and moving to the correct key signature or following the directions on the card. The player who lands on the last key wins. My students really love the card that says, “If you know the definition of Key Signature, move up 8 spaces. If you are the teacher, lose a turn.” Every time I draw that card I moan and groan, saying, “Who made the rules to this game, anyway?” and my students love it!

Objectives

• To learn to quickly identify the major key signatures of C, G, D, A, E, F, B flat, E flat, and A flat.

Ages

• Elementary to early middle school

Why I like this activity

• I used business card templates for the cards, so there is nothing to cut out!
• It is colorful and students like color.
• Students had fun when they played the game. They love it when I lose and I make sure I lose a lot!

Please let me know if you can use more key signature games or worksheets.

Colorful Key Signature Chart

Major and Minor Key Signature Chart

I’ve been too busy to post lately. I’m working on a lot of things for my students, but none are ready for the internet. I did manage to finish this keyboard chart that I started a long time ago. I have made several others, but I wanted something with colors my older students would like to see as a poster in my studio.

This was a very time-consuming and tedious poster that I made in Photoshop. I wish I knew a fast and easy way to make these kinds of things, but I don’t. Even the back ground was a piece of crumpled paper from my desk, believe it or not!

Click the link under the picture to go to my website where you can get your own copy of this free printable, without the watermark at the top. The watermark is for Pinterest, which I have been gradually adding things. You can get a lot of great music teaching ideas there.

For those of you who would like a black and white version that students can color themselves, leave me a comment and I’ll do my best to email it to you as soon as possible.

I have started some other printables using this same theme. If you want to subscribe to my website so you can know when I post them, click on the subscription on the top right. You will remain anonymous and it is very easy to unsubscribe if you wish. Thank you to all my supporters from around the globe. You are very much appreciated!

Colorful Rhythm Review – Late Elementary Set

Colorful Rhythm Review Levels 4-6

Last week I posted beginning levels and today I am posting a set of 3 more levels. As you can see, the difficulty increases quite a bit. The first page reviews eighth notes and rests. The second page adds 16th notes and rests. Level 6 adds the triplet, more 16th note patterns,  and 6/8 time signatures. To print these free worksheets, click on the link above.

This set correlates to grades 4, 5, and 6 of the TMTA (Texas Music Teacher Association) theory test. In most method books these concepts are in levels 2B through  4 or 5. Please let me know immediately if you see any typos or mistakes! My proofreading skills are pretty poor!

Objectives:

• review late elementary through early intermediate rhythm concepts

• discover the rhythm knowledge of a transfer student

• use with band or orchestra students who often learn rhythm concepts faster than piano students

• test the knowledge of piano students who are moving up into a higher level method book

• review concepts for the theory test or similar exams

Materials:

• Print these worksheets from my website

• Pencil

• If desired, insert them into clear sheet protectors and use with dry erase markers

If you would be interested in a series of reviews for another aspect of music study, such as vocabulary or note reading, please leave a comment!

Colorful Rhythm Review Worksheets – Elementary Level

Rhythm Review (page 1 of 3)

Today I am posting some worksheets to review rhythm concepts. There are three pages in this set, with more to come later. Each page increases slightly in difficulty. At the top left hand corner, there is a tiny code to help keep the levels straight, L1, L2, or L3. To help sort the pages when I get in a hurry, each level is a different color. To download these free printables, click on the title above, which will take you to the page where you can print them.

I’ve noticed that my students enjoy worksheets a lot more if I add a little color, so that is how I made these. They are fast enough to do in the lesson.

While the levels are compatible with the Texas Music Teachers Association’s theory program, these worksheets contain rhythm concepts that every music student should know. The first level (that I use with my first graders) reviews quarter notes and rests, half notes and rests, and whole notes and rests. The second level that I made for my second grade students adds a dotted half note. The third level uses the same rhythm values, but the questions are slightly more difficult.

We have to constantly review concepts in piano lessons or students will forget what we carefully taught them. In addition to being a good review, these are excellent worksheets to discover what a transfer student knows about rhythm.

These sheets are meant to be reviews, so you can teach the concepts however you feel comfortable. If you see any typos, let me know right away! I don’t have the best eyes and sometimes I see what I want to see!

Check back soon for the next set, which will review eighth notes and dotted quarter notes. At the top of this page, you can subscribe to the Word Press email which will let you know when something new is posted here.

Objective

• To reinforce elementary rhythm concepts
• To determine what concepts a transfer student has learned

Ages

• These sheets were made for school grades 1 -3. However, they may be used by all beginning students.

Material

• Worksheet
• Pencil

The NoteBoys Present Roman Numerals

Roman Numerals Presented by the NoteBoys

I’ve finished another NoteBoy cartoon in my theory series. I made this one simply to explain Roman numerals to students. I discovered a long time ago that some students haven’t heard of Roman numerals, so they don’t get the concept that Roman numerals are simply another way to write a number. Even high school students often don’t know what Arabic numbers are. It makes it hard to explain that inversions use a Roman numeral followed by an Arabic number. I hope this helps explain it to them in a humorous way.

I took Latin, and being kind of a history buff, I thought I’d also put in a few references to Caesar. Maybe some students will read up a little more about the history of the Roman Empire.

The NoteBoys Explain Ledger Lines

The NoteBoys Explain Ledger Lines

If you are new to this blog, you might not know about the NoteBoys. These little guys are in a series of comics I draw to help students learn a little about music theory.

The NoteBoys think of themselves as actors who teach theory. BlueBoy is very confident and thinks he knows every thing. He’s the fearless leader of the group. RedBoy is the smart, hardworking one, but he is always foiled by BlueBoy. They remain pals anyway. GreenBoy knows a lot more than he thinks he does, but he doesn’t have confidence in himself.

Also appearing every now and then is MightyDot, and the famous PianoGirl.

My students love this series and can’t wait to see what the NoteBoys are up to next.

One teacher told me that she  put them all in a binder for students to read before or after lessons. I will often pull them out to explain things because we all know students remember better when they learn through humor. If you want to see the other NoteBoy comics, do a search on the right. The ones explaining chord inversions are very helpful.

Frozen Yogurt Rhythms

 Frozen Yogurt Rhythms

Every summer I have a theme for printable material for my younger students.  I have a group of the cutest young students, all about the same age, and I’m making some theory sheets for them to help study for the Texas theory exam. Maybe because it is so hot, my theme this year is “summer treats”.   (Last year my theme was frogs!)

There are some great frozen yogurt shops popping up all over the place nowadays,  so my first worksheet  is  Frozen Yogurt Rhythms.  This one has 4 short rhythm activities that will help students learn how to count  and maybe have a little fun.  I’ve made some more printable worksheets featuring fun treats for the summer that I am using with my younger students, and I’ll post them as I have time. I told my students that when they finish all of their summer worksheets, we will go out for a treat. I hope they choose frozen yogurt!

This weekend TMTA is having their annual convention with 3 days of non-stop recitals, workshops and presentations. I’m so excited to be able to visit with some of my favorite composers and I hope I will get a lot of new ideas to inspire me!

Staff for My Magnetic Notes

Staff for Magnetic Notes

(This PDF has 2 pages, intended to be printed front and back. Set your printer orientation to Landscape.)

One of my latest posts showed the magnetic notes with the wand that has been such a big hit with my students.

Magnetic Wand and Chips

The only problem is that while I have made what seems like a zillion staves, there was not one in all my files that fit the little plastic chips.  I set to work to make some because there are so many things students of all ages can do with the magnetic wand and the chips, and they love the wand. I have to admit I like to play with it, too.

 I specifically made the staff I am posting today for my junior and high school students who  can use the chips to make major and minor triads, inversions, difficult intervals, and all forms of major and minor scales.  This staff  can also be used for ear training. If you are interested in staves in color, check out my website. 

What is different about this one is that not only does it fit my magnetic notes better, but there is a blank staff for the back included in the PDF. You can make twice as many as you need, printed on both sides, and when you need a longer staff, use the back to make the front staff longer.  Or you can laminate your 2 sided copy and use a dry erase pen to learn how to draw music symbols. This is the inexpensive way for new teachers or those of you out in the missionary field to get some supplies for theory classes, because you don’t have to use the magnetic chips. You can cut out paper that you have on hand, and I have to admit I have done that in the past.

Optional Back of Staff for Magnetic Notes

 

Some of you don’t have access to laminating machines, so see if you can find some clear vinyl to cover these staves so they will last longer.  This is what we did before the advent of laminating machines, back in the day!  [edit: Beverly posted a comment that she uses sheet protectors. When they get too marked up you can discard them. Thank for the idea!] I want to caution you, however, that some dry erase pens do not erase well on laminating material of any kind.  I have found that red, especially, do not erase well. The ones I am using now work if I don’t use red.

If any reader knows a brand  of dry erase pens that work well with laminated material, please post the comment here and I’ll update the post. Or send me an email. Pictures of your students using the materials are really appreciated!