The Music Notes Blog
WHAT TO DO FOR THE LAST WEEK OF MUSIC LESSONS...
It's that time of year in my music studio when I say goodbye to most of my students until next school year. A few will take summer lessons, but we're all feeling "antsy" - like it's hard to be inside and glued to a piano bench.
All of them have been choosing new music to work on over the summer (if they get around to it). But it's hard, this week, to do a regular lesson, because it seems most of them - myself included - have one foot out the door already!
A BRAINSTORM HAPPENED TODAY
Just by chance, my second student walked in and said, "I need you to tell me what to do for the summer." Apparently her mother had coached her with this phrase.
For a moment, my mind went blank. Then, I decided that we would hit as many songs as we could, by playing JUST THE FIRST 4 MEASURES.
BRILLIANT - BECAUSE THIS WAS FUN!!!
We whipped through almost half the alphabet (her music in her binder being alphabetized), with both of us being surprised at how much she remembered, and just how capable she actually is! On some of the pieces, we lingered and turned it into a duet.
And what was interesting was to see her re-engage with pieces she'd mastered long ago - or had never come close to mastering, but now had more ability to give to the beginning.
WITH EACH STUDENT, IT WAS THE SAME
I gave each subsequent student a choice of whether they'd like to focus on one or two pieces, or whip through the pieces in their music binders, 4 measures at a time. They all chose to review! And what a great review! Each bite-size snippet of music seemed to invite one to step into a room, a room where the full promise of a song was waiting.
I WAS TRULY GRATIFIED BY WHAT I HEARD
My students showed how capable they are, and how far they've come. This exercise proved to be heartwarming for me, the Teacher!
If you're at a loss what to do for your final lessons of the year besides dumping a truck load of new music on your students, you might find this approach to be a lot of fun!
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Frere Jacques With Lyrics: French & English! Vocal rounds & Piano
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I Gave My Love a Cherry: The Riddle Song - 3 Easy Arrangements
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Seek Ye First Lyrics & Chords: a Simple Arrangement for Voice & Piano
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Simple Piano Sheet Music "Canoe Song", an EASY round from Canada
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Ode to Joy Sheet Music for Piano: EASY & EARLY Beginner to Advanced
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How to Use This Website - Finding the Sheet Music PDF Download!
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Mar 22, 2022
Eensy Weensy Spider: 3 EASY Piano Arrangements!
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Mark
I think you are amazing. Living where you live in Alaska is very cool, (no pun intended). You have a small population around to recruit students from but
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To: Gabrielle, Address: Heaven. A "Goodbye Until Later" Song
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Shortnin' Bread sheet music for beginning piano students - fun and easy!
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Feb 10, 2022
Easy Piano Songs for Kids "Goober Peas": 4 Beginner Arrangements
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Feb 01, 2022
America the Beautiful, a Song of Thanksgiving
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The Wellerman Sheet Music: Easy Piano Arrangements & Lead Sheets
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Auld Lang Syne Sheet Music PDFs: for All Instruments & Singers!
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Nutcracker Music: Russian Dance for Intermediate Piano
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Silent Night Sheet Music: EASY Piano Solos & Duets, Free!
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Halloween Songs for Beginner Piano, with & without Lettered Notes!
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Imperial March Star Wars Theme - an Easy & Dramatic Piano Solo!
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Baby Bumblebee Song - a Fun Old Tune with Kid-friendly Lyrics!
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Black Beauty Movie Sheet Music for Piano
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Thank you Dana
Wanted to say thank you for all the alpha note music you provide, it's been so helpful to give the early pupils or the older, not-quite-so-achieving pupils.
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In the Hall of the Mountain King Sheet Music for Intermediate Piano
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Basic Piano Chords, Inversions, & Scales with Lettered Notes
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Queen Esther in the Bible: A Musical Re-telling of the Story
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Free Piano Sheet Music PDF for Beginners: "Boil'em Cabbage Down"
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Apr 16, 2021
The Erie Canal Song - Guitar Tabs, Easy Piano Sheets, & Lead Sheets
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Mar 23, 2021
Morning Song by Grieg for Beginner Pianists
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Mar 21, 2021
What Wondrous Love Choral Arrangement - a New Sound for Old Lyrics
What Wondrous Love in 4-part harmony, an Easter possibility - a bluegrass-sounding version, hauntingly beautiful.
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Mar 02, 2021
ThankYou
I just simply want to say thank you for your giving heart! I am a music teacher and I have never seen such quality music and content given out for free.
Feb 07, 2021
Music Alone Shall Live, a Beautiful Round for Your Singers. Five Keys
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Continue reading "Music Alone Shall Live, a Beautiful Round for Your Singers. Five Keys"
Feb 05, 2021
Question about "Whack-it" Game
Hi! I am liking the idea of the Whack-It game... Could you specify? Do they hit the correct piano key on the piano with a spatula? Also, are they supposed
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Music Note Flashcards for Quick & Energetic Breaks
Music note flashcards like these GIANT free printable flashcards are great for fast-moving games like Whack-It! Get those kids off the bench!
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Feb 03, 2021
Question about composing
Hi Dana! I am teaching piano to a student who only can use her left hand, so I am working to arrange songs for the left hand. I was wondering is there
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Free Christmas Sheet Music "We Three Kings" Beginner - Intermediate
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A perfect read aloud storybook
for little boys or girls.
The Adventures of Tonsta highlight the travels of a very young boy with a good heart, who goes about helping folk in trouble.
With a red cap on his head and a sack of tools slung over his shoulder, Tonsta seems to meet people in distress wherever he goes.
Lots of trolls in this book - including one who gives him a Christmas gift!
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About the Author
Hi, I'm Dana! (Say that like "Anna".) I'm the owner of Music-for-Music-Teachers.com, and a newer site, SingTheBibleStory.com.
Like some of you, I've been playing the piano since early childhood, and have added a few other instruments along the way, plus an interest in arranging and composing music.
You can find out more about me and the reason for this website at my About Me page.
Comments: Do you have a story or a question about music teaching? Share it!
Please note that all comments are moderated, and will not appear until I have approved them. Also, IF YOU ARE ASKING FOR MUSIC THAT IS NOT IN THE PUBLIC DOMAIN, YOUR REQUEST WILL BE IGNORED. That's pretty much any music written in the last 75 years...
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