Here are two Happy Birthday easy piano music arrangements for young pianists. The first one is for children who have only just started to play, with just the simple melody line centered on middle C so they’ll find it really quick to master. And the second is an easy piano music arrangement for both hands […]
Christmas Rhythm Game
These Christmas Rhythm Game cards can be used in various ways according to the age and musical experience of the child. You don’t need any extra equipment, although some wooden tone blocks or a tambourine might come in handy. If you need a little help with reading the music notes, take a look at Introducing […]
First Piano Lessons: Finger Strengthening Exercises
New here? Make sure you visit our Introduction to First Piano Lessons before you start! I Like Sticky Candyfloss: A Fun Finger Strengthening Exercise Here is a catchy little finger strengthening exercise perfect for first piano lessons, that is excellent for developing and increasing finger co-ordination. Ask the child whether they prefer Sticky Candy floss or Chewy Chocolate […]
First Piano Lessons: Introducing the Note Family
Introducing musical notation as the note family with characters to represent each note makes a tricky concept immediately accessible. This way, children find the note names and their time values so much easier to remember. Make sure to explain that these are their nick-names to help us to tell which is which, and point out […]
DIY Magnet Music Notes – Easy Music Manipulatives
This DIY Magnet Music Notes activity is so easy and cheap to make, and in these days of digital overload it has a refreshingly retro appeal! It’s so important to make learning to read music fun, and this is a good way to keep it hands on and visual. These sort of music manipulatives are […]
The Note Family eBook Launch!
Those of you who have read lots of this website, and bought my First Piano Lessons and How To Read Music Theory eBooks will be familiar with the way I introduce music notation to children – through The Note Family. For years, I introduced The Note Family to children through a selection of stories which, […]
How To Read Music Made Easy eBook Launch!
I’m very excited to be able to announce the launch of a new eBook – How To Read Music Made Easy. This has been in the works for the best part of a year, so i’m very excited to be able to share it with you all! Since I published my First Piano Lessons eBook […]
Music Theory for Kids: Understanding Accidentals
Accidentals needn’t be difficult if they are approached in a simple and child friendly way. When introducing sharps and flats I always start by asking the child if they’d like to know the secret of the black notes and why they are so useful. This normally pricks their curiosity and gets them onside. It also […]
The Greedysaurus : A Game to Teach Kids Music Note Values
The Greedysaurus is a fun game and song that teaches children about Music Note Values and note recognition through the action of feeding a hungry dinosaur puppet! Greedysaurus Dinosaur Song I am a dinosaur, I have sharp teeth! I leave big footprints underneath, I’m always hungry, I need to eat, So give me some notes, […]
Music Note Naming With Trains
Kids love trains and playing this music note naming with trains activities is a fun way to help them to connect with the order of the do- re-mi colours and the notes on the stave. It can be a fun up-cycled craft activity too where each child make their own coloured train and then has […]