45 Boredom Busters For Piano Practice - Volume 17
February 8, 2022
Best Boredom Busters for Piano Practice
This Memo includes
Feature Article: 45 Boredom Busters for Piano Practice
Student Achievements - recognizing the hard work and accomplishments from our students in the last month.
Upcoming MOM events includes next Crescendo Kids start date of February 15, 2022,
Parents Ask Pam - Which class should my child start with?
Feature Article - 45 Boredom Busters For Piano Practice
This week I’ve had two students tell me they love playing the piano, but they are struggling with practicing because it is so boring! I have some ideas of my own to change this up, but I figured let’s see what other teachers have come up with as well. After a quick online search, here are some of my favorite boredom busters to liven up your child’s practice time.
Play your song to a rhythm beat from your keyboard. (1)
Play each line (or musical phrase) of the song in random order. (1)
Try not to look at your hands while you play. (1)
Play the hardest part of your song first, then play the next hardest part, all the way down to playing the easiest part last. (1)
Start somewhere different each time you play the song. (1)
Play it SLOWLY. (1)
Record your song and listen to it. Critique yourself! (1)
Play a hard part 3 times slowly and as perfectly as possible. (1)
Play all the dynamics very dramatically. You can even add dynamics! (1)
Write descriptive words in your music and make it sound like that. Use words like: grand, calming, bouncy, peaceful, perky, dancing, menacing, romantic, soothing, mournful, relaxing. (1)
Make up words to the song and sing along. (1)
Play it all staccato. (1)
Imagine playing your piece in front of thousands of people. Or imagine playing the song in a different location, such as on top of the Grand Canyon, or in a forest, or in Grand Carnegie Hall. (1)
Play the song super loud — emphasizing each and every note. (1)
Play right hand one octave higher, left hand one octave lower. (2)
Play like a funeral march. (2)
Play standing up like Jerry Lee Lewis. (2)
Play while bopping your head to the beat. (2)
Play with your right hand behind your back. (2)
Play with your tongue out. (2)
Play while humming the right hand melody. (2)
Play with your left eye closed. (2)
Play while twitching your nose like a rabbit. (2)
Play with one hand held in the air in the Start Trek (Vulcan) salute. (2)
Play while blinking along with the beat. (2)
Play with a chuckle after every phrase. (2)
Play while chewing imaginary gum. (2)
Play as proper as the Queen of England. (2)
Play with the worst posture you can imagine. (2)
Play with your left ear touching your left shoulder. (2)
Play giving a quick “double-thumbs up” every time you play a G. (2)
Play with a clap after every 8 beats. (2)
Play while stomping your right foot with the first beat of every measure. (2)
Play while fidgeting on the bench like you have ants in your pants. (2)
Play with the largest most ridiculous smile you can hold on your face. (2)
Play with a different rhythm. (3)
Play with crescendos and diminuendos randomly throughout the piece. (3)
Play one hand staccato while the other is legato. (3)
With a die, divide your music into 6 sections, then roll the die to decide which part to play.
With a die, roll it to decide how many times to play a piece or a section of a piece. Then, each time it is played correctly, turn the die to the next lower number until you reach one. (4)
Instead of playing in the middle of the piano, start at the lowest possible place and then go up an octave (8 notes) and play again until you can’t go up any higher.
On your keyboard, change the instrument.
Play it line by line, but start at the last line, then the line before it, and so on.
Play it without playing the C’s. So put a rest in for all the C’s.
Play any phrase in your music. If you play it correctly, you get a point. Find another phrase in your music to play correctly. Continue until you get 5 points.
You can even make this practice event a game. Have a grab bag full of numbers, and your child reaches in to choose a practice technique. Perhaps your child has some of their own practice ideas they would like to add? There are so many ways to make practicing fun!
Sources
(1) https://pianotels.com/21-fun-ways-to-practice-piano/
(3) https://practisingthepiano.com/creative-ways-to-practise-scales/
(4) https://www.hoffmanacademy.com/blog/how-to-make-piano-practice-fun/
Student Achievements
Our students are making great progress! These students have accomplished new goals this last month.
Welcome to our new students! Amy F, Avi N, Brooke W, Elliana S, Molly M, Sara M. and Wells H.
100 Days - play the piano for at least 5 minutes, 100 days in a row - Jacob S
5X5 - play the piano for 5 minutes, 5 days in a week, for 5 weeks in a row - Iris H, Joses C, Lillian R, Lisielle S, Clive L, and Jacob S,
Completed their current lesson book - Lillian R, Alexandre B, Clive L, and Yuvl G.
Listened to Classical music at least an hour per week for 4 weeks in a row - Kevin J.
Advanced to the next music level - Hannah S, Katsu K, Lucas A, Alexandre B, Brooke W, and Scarlet K.
Played their song 50X in the first week - Aarnav J.
Upcoming MOM Events
Want to see all upcoming events? Check out our calendar. It includes when the next Crescendo Kids class begins, school closure dates, piano parties, and recital dates.
FREE Online Piano Party! Students share their own music as well as participate in musical games, creating music and learning some music history. Each party is a little different with a theme and a special guest instrument. Come, meet our piano teachers, play some music, and have fun! All ages and musical levels are welcome. Parties are available to non-students, former students as well as current students. Click the link to sign up. Piano Party Sign Up
Saturday, March 5, at 11:00 am. RSVP required.
Parent Information Meetings - Have questions about our online piano class program? Want a tour of our practicing app? Click the link to schedule your meeting with Miss Pam. Parent Info Meeting
Crescendo Kids CLASSES - Scheduled to start at North Kirkland Community Center in March 2022.
30 - Minute Private Online Piano Lessons - Did you know that many of our teachers also teach privately? Now you can continue your child’s musical education, or your own, with Move Over Mozart. Click here for more information. Private Lessons
New Crescendo Kids Online begins Tuesday, February 15. Start the new year with music! Our piano classes are fun and easy to do! Now is a great time to join. Students are put into one of 4 classes depending on their age and musical ability.
Crescendo Kids Online Sign Up
Pre-Reading - Ages 3 - 5 years, or students not yet reading,
We use a color-coded method for the students to match their five fingers to five keys on the piano. New songs using only those 5 notes are given each week.
Primary - Ages 5 -7 years or older and brand new to music,
This group is for the very basics of piano playing. Students learn to play simple rhythms, correct hand position, and the names of the white keys on the piano.
Beginning Elementary - Ages 7-12 years or younger and reading notes,
This is for students just starting to read notes on the staff. Students are taught how the staff relates to the piano and how to translate the notes to making music. Also, having the students memorize a few key notes on the staff will help greatly with their ability to read music.
Advanced Elementary - Ages 7 - 12 years with previous piano lessons
This group already reads notes on the staff and can immediately identify many of the notes by name. They will learn more advanced technique and music theory beyond the initial basics of learning to play.
Parents Ask Pam
Have a question for Miss Pam? You can email, text message, or message on Facebook your questions. She will respond immediately to you, and your question might be featured in future newsletters.
Q: Which class should my child start with?
A: Depending on your child’s age and musical level, we have a couple different options. If your child is under 5 years old, they should start with our Pre-Reading Crescendo Kids program. If your child is beginning, never had piano before and the age of 5 - 8 years old, they should also start with the Crescendo Kids program at the Primary level. Older than 8 years old have most likely had music in their school or have been taught a little by friends, family or free lessons. These students should start with a free assessment lesson to determine the best level that would fit with them. Our Crescendo Kids program is a beginning piano program. If your child has had previous private lessons or is 12 years or older, they are probably ready to continue with private lessons. This would also require a free assessment lesson to know which curriculum and musical level they would be ready to start. Free assessment lessons are available through Miss Pam. Anyone can request one, just email misspam@moveovermozart.net.
Your Comments And Questions
We want to hear from you! What are some ways that you have included music education in your children’s lives these last couple of years? Please leave your questions and comments below.