Spice Up Your Summer Music Practicing!

Did you know that summer is actually one of the best times to practice? Without the stress of school, many students can progress more quickly than they do during the school year. That being said, changing up the practice routine a little can help kids stay excited about piano lessons. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

Play Simon Says at the piano! One player calls out note names and the others have to find those notes on the piano... but only if Simon Says! This works especially well if there are siblings close to each other in level.
Get your listening in by taking an iPod or CD player outside with some classical music. You can have a picnic or just watch the clouds go by while talking about, singing along with, dancing to, or drawing what the music sounds like.
For students who are learning to read notes on the staff, you can play lots of games with a giant staff drawn in chalk on the driveway or sidewalk! Kids can hop to the note you call out, throw beanbags or water balloons on specific notes, or even write out their own music.
Play musical chairs with the whole family - have someone play a piece on the piano and choose when to stop!
Use laminated flashcards to create your own "whack-a-mole" game. Put the flashcards on the floor - you can use note names, terms, keys, or whatever suits the student's level - and call out one of the cards. Whoever touches that card first gets a point!

These are just a few ideas - the list could go on and on! Feel free to adapt these ideas or come up with some of your own. We'd love to hear from you which are your kids' favorites!