Games and Tutorial Videos to Help with Piano

Are you needing to brush up on the names of notes on the staff?  When you see a note on the staff, do you know which key on the piano it indicates?  Do you know how to count out the length of each sound and silence?  If you are new to reading music or just a little rusty, one or more of these games might be just what you need!  Read the description under each link to decide what you need to practice most.

Rhythm Reading
Watch a video that clearly explains the length of a sound or silence that a particular note or rest represents.
The video begins with whole notes and rests, then works down to the very short sixteenth.

Line and Space Names
A concise video review of the names of lines and spaces in both the treble and bass clef.

Finding Pitches on the Keyboard
Game - Read a pitch on the treble staff, then locate the matching key on the piano.

Word Warrior Bass Clef Game
Earn points by correctly determining the word spelled out in bass clef notes.

How to Position Your Hands at the Piano
A short video about the hand positioning that will make you a success.  Watch video and keep these recommendations in mind each time you play the keyboard.

CHECK AUGUST POSTS FOR SOME ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES

Boys, Beats, and Basketball

Often in music circles Beethoven, Bach and Brahms are referred to as the three B's.  When I looked at the class list and saw that the first 7th grade general music group of the year consisted of all boys, I knew that Boys, Beats and Balls would likely be a sure hit.  Watch the delight in trying to keep the beat steady as we count out quarter notes, half notes and whole notes using basketballs.  A big thank you to PE teacher Mrs. Sferra for sharing equipment!  

Music is Math!

Try out this activity to see the connections between music and math.  Use the link below to open up Cyber Pattern Player.  Notice each row contains sixteen squares.  Build a measure in 4/4 time with a rhythm of your choice, and hear it played.  Highlight only the first square if all you'd like is a whole note.  Highlight only the first and the ninth if you'd like to play two half notes.  Which would need highlighted to create four quarter notes?  Pairs  of eighth notes?  How about sixteenth notes?  Mix and match your notes in a measure.  Create layers of instruments and give each a different rhythm.  A lot of possibilities here.

 Link to the Cyber Pattern Player

Let's Get a Rolling Start!

The 2013-14 school year is officially under way.  Welcome back!

Seventh grade general music focuses on continuing to read music and build skills at playing the piano, while also learning about the classical, romantic, and contemporary periods of music history.  Many students will probably experience some "seasonal slide", since middle school general music only meets one nine week grading period per year.  To help with the review, I'd like to recommend a few web sites with practice games for note reading.

Speed Note
As notes pop up on the staff, see how fast you can choose their letter names.  Try to improve your speed/score each time you play!  This will be a big help towards playing the piano assignments.

Counting Out Rhythms
Do you remember how to count out rhythms?  Use whole, dotted half, half, quarter, and eighth notes and rests to make up a rhythm, then play it back with a counter.  Pay close attention to how many counts each note and rest get.

Virtual Keyboard
Perhaps you wish you had a keyboard or piano at your house.  This virtual keyboard has the names of the keys labeled with the proper letter names, and you can use it to re-familiarize yourself.  You can play with lots of different sound effects and experiment all you'd like. (something we just don't have much time for in class!)

Have fun playing.  Please check back often.  I will try to add new posts to help you as the nine weeks progress.

Welcome General Music 7 Students

Hi Seventh Graders and Families,

After getting to know many of you at Leighton,  then saying "goodbye" and heading for Craddock, I will be seeing you again this year at Harmon to resume studying music.  Ms. Jones has filled me in on the work you've completed in sixth grade, and I'm excited to pick up from there and provide you with some new musical adventures!

See you soon,
Mrs. Janoso