Jacob
Music Man With A Van
Big music
games has been a game changer in my private and group lessons. The students absolutely love
the games, and it provides teachers with a creative approach to all the different fluencies
of music that are often ignored.
In
private and group lessons I use a different fluency each week that has become the glue that
connects all my students together regardless of instrument or level.
I love leveling up each game. With that approach a teacher is only limited by their own
imagination and it gives students a chance to really let each fluency sink in.
I only wish I had discovered this approach earlier on. I will never be able to teach
another
class or lesson without this approach now that it has become part of the fabric in my music
programs.
Melanie
Williamsburg Music Lessons
Students love games. Period. So,
adding this in to boost their skills is a no brainer.
I use them in several ways:
-To dig deeper with a concept they are working on in their lesson
-To make sure they are broadening their musicianship skills
-To give them a choice when I think that's what they need. Are they struggling that week?
Take a break, ask which video they want to do, and give them a "win".
Kids enjoy it. I believe this is the direction education is going, and I want to be a part
of it.
It is so efficient to have something cued up and ready to go for your students! Previously I
was spending time both in the lesson and outside of the lessons coming up with materials to
supplement the lessons. Now that is done for me, and it's way more fun.
My students really love games, and
these are super fun and engaging. And I love how robust the pedagogy behind them is!
We use Big Music Games in group
classes -- I use Piano Express, and we play these at the end of the Discovery class. I pair
them with the three units of PX -- Unit 1 is rhythm games, Unit 2 is melody, and Unit 3 is
harmony. Super simple way to make sure I'm hitting all three of our core competencies! (We
don't do songwriting at our studio) .
I'm most surprised by how incredibly adaptable the games are. For Beat Detective, sometimes
we clap, but sometimes we play chords/bass notes on the pianos, or I pass out handheld
percussion, or we stomp. Maybe next I'll try having the bold ones sing the beats instead of
chant! And I love using the youtube transpose function to move out of C position, with the
more advanced listeners.
Coming to the weekly online training has been super useful for me -- I learn more about the
games, but I'm also picking up really useful mindset tips. Hanging with other music
educators is incredibly rewarding and useful! And it's at lunchtime, so it fits easily in my
schedule.