This is another pattern from Forrest Kinney’s fabulous Create First 1. Every pattern in these books has a duet and a corresponding solo version. I like to start with the duet so my student can get a feel for the improvisation and explore a little, and then we work on the solo improvisation. This…
Colourful Keys Quick Clips
CKQC038: Piano scale practice using the Musiclock iPad app
Musiclock is a wonderful app for piano scale practice. It’s basically a backing track app with different styles of music and a huge range of different scales. The music in Musiclock actually sounds cool, and the app looks beautiful. This is important when you’re working with teens and tweens! I love using this app for…
CKQC037: Beginner piano student ear training with melody playbacks
Simple little ear training exercises like this one can be integrated into your lessons in just a few minutes, and they can make a big difference. In this quick clip, we’re working on melody playbacks. I always ask my student to pick do when we do these, and then I help them to find re…
CKQC036: ‘Zebra on a Pogo Stick’ rote piece introduction
‘Zebra on a Pogo Stick’ is a student favourite from Piano Safari Book 1. I haven’t met a student yet who doesn’t love this piece. Over time, I have picked up which style of rote piece introduction suits which piece. ‘Zebra on a Pogo Stick’ is very suited to this tactic of hands separate work….
CKQC035: ‘William Tell Overture’ with the ‘Super Metronome Groovebox’ iPad app
Drumming apps and backing tracks are like metronomes…with added pixie dust. Super Metronome Groovebox is one of my favourite apps for bringing a drummer into your piano lessons. If kids have spent any time at all listening to the radio, drumming just makes sense to them. They feel it. They get it. This arrangement of…
CKQC034: ‘Term Teleport’ music theory game for early intermediates
This music theory game for early intermediates is a two-for-one deal. Not only are students naming notes (including many ledger line notes) but they can accelerate their progress by explaining Italian music terms. These terms allow them to teleport along the train tracks which is a super fun twist! In this quick clip, you’ll see…
CKQC033: Rhythm Activities for Preschoolers with Vocalisations and Drumming
Rhythm is foundational to everything else. It’s my number one priority for all new students, especially preschoolers. Young beginners might take a while to develop finger dexterity and might not be the quickest to catch on to reading, but with appropriate rhythm activities for preschoolers their rhythm can be rock solid. You’ll notice we…
CKQC032: ‘Sunrise’ and ‘Moonrise’ improvisation solos for beginners
These two patterns are the very first ones in Create First Book 1. Both the duet and solo options are simple and beautiful. Although we always do improvisation at my studio from the beginning, I’ve been working to get my students to do more improvisation solos. Several of my students even did solo improv at…
CKQC031: Step & skip race on the floor staff
If you have a floor staff, you have to try this game with your beginner piano students. Steps and skips is one of those beginning concepts that if not understood, comes back to bite later down the track. If students don’t get directionality and intervals at this basic level – at some point their reading is…
CKQC030: Create note stem superstars with the ‘Note Stem Smash’ game
Note stem rules are one of those things that it’s hard to feign enthusiasm for as a teacher. I mean, they’re just…pretty dull right? Dull but necessary. That is until I created Note Stem Smash. This game is fast-paced, fun and is effective practice for all the note stem rules. The game is simple – sort…
