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A Word About Piano Worksheets

I have been teaching a really long time. And I’ve taught music to all kinds of students in many different situations. I’ve taught my own children and grandchildren and I’ve been a music Mom and Grandma while they studied with some excellent teachers. I’ve also been a classroom music teacher, choir director, special education, and early childhood music teacher. I don’t think of myself as an expert giving advice to teachers on this website. Rather I think of myself as a music teacher friend sharing what I know has worked with different kinds of students.

I say that because it has me thinking about one of my younger students many years back. I gave him a worksheet and he dramatically put his head on the table and groaned loudly, “Not another worksheet!” What had I done wrong? I knew immediately.

It was a long piano worksheet and he knew it was going to take a long time. It was just too much for the little guy. I was quickly able to turn things around and explain it was a game, because it could be used either way. That made all the difference with this particular student and he was happy again.

But it reminded me of something that I have always shared with teachers. If we as music teachers teach theory, we are going to need material, probably more than is in a theory book. And since music students don’t come every day, they need to review the material or they will forget everything we have carefully taught them. Worksheets can be very helpful as teaching material as long as we use them wisely.

Young students sign up for piano lessons to play music. They don’t sign up for music theory and they are too young to understand how it will help them be better musicians. Our material should be educational, attractive, age appropriate, and not too long and involved. Theory is in addition to learning how to play their instrument, not the other way around. Of course, sometimes we want to give our students something just for fun, and that can be valuable in a different way.

Lucky you if you are able to schedule weekly group theory classes. However, most teachers teach theory during the lesson, so we have to watch our time and make every activity worthwhile!

 

 

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8 Comments

  1. Kathy Holmes` says:

    Hi Susan,
    Your games have been well recommended to me by members in my piano teacher group. I am new to this website and am wondering if you have any materials that you can buy “ready made” or is everything download and print up only?
    Thanks!
    Kathy

    1. Susan Paradis says:

      Kathy,
      My material is all digital downloads. Thanks for asking!
      Susan

  2. Hi Susan,

    I from China, I am not a music teacher, I am just a mother.
    I like your website and very thankful for your worksheet.

    Thanks again,
    Wendy from Beijing, China

  3. I find that students don’t balk at worksheets if they are short and sweet and easy. This one is timely as I have a family with 3 children arriving for a piano lesson in about 10 minutes. I am planning to introduce RH and LH and the 2 and 3 black keys this lesson. Making this a group lesson but will start individual lessons as soon as we can get them into method books. Thanks for your creativity.

    1. Susan Paradis says:

      You’re welcome, Claire! Glad I got it posted in time for your new family. I agree it’s a good idea to wait a little before getting into a method book!

  4. I agree. I love the resources you share because I only teach theory through the music, music apps, and games. Kids want to understand music, but they are so done with homework and worksheets when what they really want is to make music. My students love to learn through games.

    1. Susan Paradis says:

      Thanks for your perspective, Cherie! I’m glad they work out for your students.

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