20 Best Piano Applications for iPhone

I always like to be current with technique as well as technology so when a parent asked for some apps for her iPhone to assist with her children's lessons I went to work researching. The blog "iPhoneNess" is a great place to start. It lists what in their opinion are the 20 Best piano apps.

There are also reviews on YouTube talking about other apps that are available. I enjoyed the versatility of "Pocket Piano Song Universe". Have fun!

Mission To Magamon

I've added a new game today to the "Just For Fun" page. It actually had me playing it until I couldn't make it pass level three. Your little male students will especially love it if they're anything like mine. Just click the picture to go to the link. You will need to register to play.

The sound quality is excellent and the game is really fun to play (once you figure it out). It probably took me a while because there are not a lot of video games in my life.

Play on!

My Alphabet Memory Cards

I came up with my own alphabet memory game. Yes, there are tons of them out there but these have a unique twist. When I was a scrapbook designer, I was known as the Maltese Scrapper. A dog was part of my designer logo which you see on the WILD CARD below.

At home I have two little Maltese dogs named Ruffles and Louie. My students love them. In fact, some students like to have Ruffles sit on the piano bench during their lesson and their parents like to have them sit in their laps in the waiting area. In my designer years one of my trademarks was to have a picture of Ruffles dressed up to match the theme of whatever kit they were purchasing.

So I combined my old scrapbook designed pictures of Ruffles with the music alphabet you see below. They are available if you'd like to have a copy of them for yourself.

Just click the picture to download. Hope you like them.

Finale Notation Software

If you haven't started charting your own music, this is a great place to start.

When I was teaching music and technology in an elementary school setting - with my personal obsession for everything to look "professional", it was evident that hand written tests and choral arrangements would not do. Then one of my school parents told me about Notepad that her church music director used. After searching the internet I found that it was called Finale Notepad. 

On their website there are several different options available including a free download of notation software. The big question is "how user friendly is it?" The resounding answer is "VERY".  Even under time constraints and unfamiliarity with the software I was able to print out some wonderful looking work. In fact, because of this software, I was able to write and publish an instruction book on playing a song flute.

So if you're ready to branch out and start making your own worksheets, sheet music, scales, etc. Why not check it out.

Music Treasures

For as long as I can remember, my mother has been giving me little music gifts. I thought it would be fun to list some of them: clocks, rulers, kitchen towels, pot holders, ice cube trays, staplers, tape dispensers, note pads - the list could go on forever. We always picked things up when we saw them because music gifts are not always easy to find. Especially now with so many music stores closing down, it's become even more difficult.

Then I stumbled upon the Music Treasures website. They have a little bit of everything from music gifts and toys, to instruments, clothing, awards and other teacher resources.

Hope this helps.

b

Flashcards - Piano Discoveries

I have to revisit this helpful website once again.

Over time I have collected flashcards from other teachers, from books and even made my very own - trying to find a set of all the major topics I wanted my students to drill on. The more time that I spent on the Piano Discoveries website the more I realized that all I needed to find in flashcards was in one place. In the bloggers words:

This is your lucky day! You have just stumbled upon a flashcard goldmine! Print all eight levels for a complete set to challenge your students from year to year. This resource is very easy and affordable to make. Simply print the files on heavy card stock paper and cut along the dotted lines. Easy!

I was so excited when my new printer drum arrived yesterday. I spent the rest of the day printing and cutting in preparation for yesterday's students. Now it's time to close for my voice/piano student who is about to arrive. Just wanted to make sure you gave this site another look.

Piano Discoveries

Piano Discoveries is a blog by Anne Crosby Gaudet. She has some of the most creative, colorful Teaching Aids and resources I've seen yet. She has a video series on You Tube called the Barnyard Friends with accompanying game board and workbook for teaching the treble clef, bass clef and grand staff with notes. It's perfect for first lessons with young children.

Check this blog out when you have time to sit back and take it all it.

Sing A New Song

The blog that I'm in love with this week is called "Sing A New Song". This site is run by Jeana Beasley. In her words:

Sing a Song is a blog about children's songs and music activities to facilitate learning, in fun and exciting ways. It focuses on games for learning notes, rhythms, intervals, chords and other musical concepts. Educational songs about monthly themes are also found here for preschoolers and early elementary. Email me if you have any questions or suggestions at my3redhead@gmail.com.

One of her ideas was so great, I was unable to rest until I went out and bought Duplo blocks so that I could make my own set of rhythm blocks.

 

 

To me this was such a simple yet brilliant idea!

You can always see in a student's eyes if they are zoning out or just not getting what you are trying to teach them. My next step is to change the approach in which the concept is presented. Every student be it a child or an adult has their own way of learning. Some need to see it in black and white on the page, others need to hear it audibly, today there are those who need to interact with it by computer and then there are those who need to touch it.

Back when I was an elementary education major, one of the major part of our grade was coming up with manipulatives to go with the lesson plans we had to create. My teacher was really big on these. Each manipulative was placed in a Ziploc Bag and we had to come up with a plan to organize them. At that time I didn't get how important this was until I was in my first classroom and had a student who didn't learn with the lecture method.

This site is full of alternative methods of teaching for the Piano Teacher. You have to check it out!

Music Tech Teacher

From the time I started giving private lessons, the Music Tech Teacher site was a must. When students come in and can't focus or settle down, they are given a little time at the computer which sits right next to the piano. I especially like her music games such as "Mighty Music Man" an animated game having a super hero deliver pianos to classical composers. For each note that students identify correctly on the piano keyboard, Mighty Music Man is able to fly a little closer to his destination. 



You can find Music Tech Teacher @ http://www.musictechteacher.com/index.htm.

There are some great rhythm games as well as worksheets, lesson plans, etc. Let me use Mrs. Garrett's description of her site.

"This site is an extension of the music technology classroom at Central Park School in Birmingham, AL. I have been teaching Instrumental Music since 1992. I started teaching Music Technology Classes in 1994. My 2nd through 5th grade students are learning to read, write, compose and publish their music. Student work, videos, photos and music compositions are posted on this site. The site is also used to provide music technology links, quizzes, resources and information to all music teachers interested in using technology to enhance music instruction. As I teach in-services to our school music teachers, I will post notes and handouts. I hope that the site will serve as a valuable resource for teachers and students. Thank you for visiting my site!

Ms. K. Garrett, Music Tech Teacher"

The Resource Search is On

I've always been one to research extensively when I'm working on a project. Everything you could ever want or need can be found on the internet. Because I'm forever emailing other friends who teach music or piano with some new website I've found, it became evident that the best way to share the wealth on a continuing basis is to start a resource blog for piano teachers.

There are many of these blogs out there that teachers are developing new resources all the time, but as of yet I have not found a blog that highlights these teachers' blogs and links where to find. So here we are at the beginning. I will beginning making navigational links to these sites but also highlight new sites as I find them.

Today I'll begin with my current favorite, Susan Paradis. You can find her at the following two sites: http://www.susanparadis.com/, and http://susanparadis.wordpress.com/ Trust me, just check it out but make sure you have lots of time. There are incredible resources to be found.

Let me know what you think - what you'd like me to find for you - resource you need created - list your piano/voice blog - etc.