Key Signature Chart

This is chart I made for my students. I thought that you may be interested in it. Back in the day I used the circle of 5ths for my keys but this chart adds what the I, IV and V chords used in each key.

If you do find it useful, let me know so I can publish other useful things.

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New Games For Summer

You know those days - the ones when your students comes in tired, cranky, distracted . . . No matter what you try to do, you can't get them to settle down and actually play their assigned piece and you still have 15 minutes of lesson time remaining.

There are two things I try to get the lesson back on track. If one doesn't work, the other usually does.

The first thing I try is directing the student to this website's fun and games page and have them play one of the games that works on one of the issues they are struggling with. The second thing I try is using games or other activities that use other senses to help them focus.

Here are a couple that I've just made in the last couple of weeks:

Just click on the pictures to begin your download.

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.