Suspend (How to Drill Anything)

This balancing game is one of the kids’ favorites. I like it too, since it’s infinitely customizable to each student. It does require owning a specific game, but you can do a similar thing with blocks or plastic cups, if that’s easier to get.

What You Need:

Suspend (a Melissa and Doug Family Game)
Flashcards of anything (optional)

Setup:

Set up the basic stand for the game.
The game comes with a die that has six colors on it. Assign a different type of flashcard or challenge for each color. For example, note names, rhythms, chords, key signatures, improv duets, play by ear challenges, sight reading, review songs, hard spots in their current song, etc. You can even leave one color to be a freebie.

How to Play:

Ignore the rule book entirely.
The student rolls the die and completes the challenge for that color. Then she can place a metal stick of that color on the stand.
Repeat.
If anything falls off the stand, just add it back into the pile at the bottom.

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July 2018 Plans

I’m a bit behind schedule, but here’s what we did in July. There were only three weeks of lessons because of vacation.

Week 1: We played the Slap Game, which is one of my favorite ways to review note names because it is quick, easy, requires no prep, and kids of all ages love it.

Week 2: We practiced ear training with Sharks and Dolphins to hear the difference between a half step and a whole step.

Week 3: We practiced notes again with the Flower Game.

The Flower Game (Note Review)

I made this game up years ago when I had a small studio and all the students were girls. If I were doing it again, I’d probably go with a more gender-neutral theme, but the idea works well.

What You Need:

A game board (see the picture below). I made mine out of tile samples, so I don’t have a downloadable, but you could easily print a blank board game like these and create this in a couple of minutes. The main features are:
- Each tile labeled with one of the note names (A through G in order)
- An occasional tile that has a special color (in my picture, they’re pink)
Game pieces
Note flash cards
Special flash cards which are not note names. You could use rhythms, dynamics, symbols, whatever.

Setup:

Place two game pieces on Start.
Shuffle both decks of cards.

How to Play:

The first player draws a note flash card. After naming the note, he can move his game piece up to that letter on the game board.
If the game piece lands on a tile that has a special color, he can draw from the pile of special flash cards. If he can correctly identify or explain whatever is on that card, he can move up two extra tiles.
The second player takes the same turn. The first person to reach the end wins.
As teacher, I play under several disadvantages. I always go second. I sometimes make a “mistake” in naming my note. If the student catches me, I don’t get to move up. If I land on a special color, the student is still the one who gets the special flash card and the two extra spaces. Also, my special flash cards include a few cards that say “Teacher loses a turn.”

Variations:

To make it easier, identify notes on the keyboard instead of using flashcards with staff notes, or limit the flashcards to those notes the student knows how to read.
To make it harder, require intervals. For example, the student should move to the tile that is a third above whichever flashcard he draws.

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Sharks and Dolphins (Ear Training)

Here’s a fun, no prep way to work on ear training.

What You Need:

Nothing

Setup:

Nothing

How to Play:

First, we talk about the movie Jaws. None of my students has ever seen it, but some of them have heard of it. Many have heard the main theme, which is only two notes a half step apart. The two notes repeat, first slowly and then gradually gaining speed as the shark approaches. It is said that when John Williams originally discussed it with Steven Spielberg, Spielberg laughed because he thought it was a joke.
After showing the students how easy it is to play the theme, we talk about how different it would be if Williams had used a whole step instead of a half step. I call this the theme for an approaching dolphin. It’s not nearly so threatening.
Once the students understand the difference, it’s time to play. The student turns away or closes their eyes while I play either the shark approach (with a half step) or the dolphin approach (the same thing with a whole step). The students’ task is to call out either “Dolphin” or “Shark” for each time I play the theme in different registers.
- Many students have no trouble with this. If they are having trouble we talk a little more about which version has a higher note. That sometimes helps. Even if it doesn’t, they have a 50/50 chance of getting it right, so even the kids who are not getting it, feel like they are doing all right, which is important.

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The Slap Game (Note Review)

This is a great game to play when you’ve just got a few minutes left in the lesson. It takes no prep, can last anywhere from 30 seconds to 15 minutes, and is loved by kids.

What You Need:

Notes on the staff flashcards
Cards with the letters A-G (optional)

Setup:

None

How to Play:

The student draws a letter card. This determines which note to look for. (If you’re not using the letter cards, just decide on a note.)
The teacher holds the deck of note flashcards and flips them over one at a time into a pile within easy reach of both people. When the student sees the note, she slaps the pile of cards. If she slaps it before the teacher gets the next card down, she gets a point. If she doesn’t, then the teacher gets a point.
Continue playing until all the notes with that name have been found. Then choose a new note, shuffle the note flashcards, and play again until you run out of time.

Variations:

To make it easier, limit the cards in the deck. For example, only C position notes, or only treble clef notes, etc.
To make it harder, flip over the cards faster. Or play with interval flashcards instead, looking for all the thirds or fourths, etc.

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