The Little Music Schoolhouse on Knox Street

If you know me, you know how much I LOVE Halloween! I’m SO excited to use these songs, worksheets and games in October!!

Finger Number Popsicle Puzzles are a giggly wiggly way to learn your finger numbers!

Who’s up for a little fishing today? We’re catching rhythms at The Little Music Schoolhouse on Knox Street! These magnetic rhythm chips are a great catch! You can clap, pat or stomp them - some students can even snap them.

It looks like left hand won today! See the spinner? Whichever hand it lands on picks up an object and places it on that hand’s side.

How do you encourage your children to practice? We all know practice is what makes us improve at anything we do, but how do you create a healthy practice routine for your children? No one wants to be a taskmaster, but some children need a firm approach to build good habits. You have to know what motivates your child.
I have practice games and practice sheets where students color in an object each time they practice. When the picture is all colored in, the students get a small prize.
I had a friend who had a strict "no screens until after piano practice!" policy.
One mom placed an 8-hour taper candle on the piano for each child. The middle school and high school children would light their candle and let it burn only when they were practicing. When the candle was completely burned down, mom would take them to buy something at the mall.
One mom placed a vase and a bag of marbles on the piano. Every time a song was practiced, a marble was placed in the vase. When the vase was filled, they had a "piano party" complete with a black and white piano cake (super simple to make!) and black and white games.
Of course, my mother subscribed to the notion that a good pianist is the result of a mean mother! No, my mother wasn't mean, but the piano practice was a non-negotiable fact of every day. When I got home from school, I would eat a snack, practice piano, and then do homework. Practicing the piano was a great brainbreak between school and homework. I never imagined a day without practice, because my mom wouldn't ever let me skip a day. To be honest, it wasn't until I realized piano practice would get me out of doing my chores, that I starting practicing on my own without reminders. Of course, my mother could've made me do the chores after I finished practicing, but I think she knew what was going on and that was her way of rewarding my practice. It worked for me!

Let me know if you have found something that works in your home. Maybe you could help another family with their practice routine.

It’s 2020 and change is in the air!! Here’s hoping a new address means a new student base! If you know anyone, any age, in the Rice Military, The Heights, Memorial Park, Galleria area who is ready to add some piano or voice to their life, please have them contact me. Located at Knox and Rose, but I teach in your home!

Get ready for new games this week!

Check out this window composition!

When you're first learning to play piano, the finger numbers are a little tricky. Did you know when you hold up one, that's really finger two in piano. Thumbs are ones.
These gloves have Velcro dots so students can place the finger numbers on the correct finger. Then we put the gloves fingers on the correct keys, or the student can wear the gloves and play a song.
These maracas are for learning to hold half notes for two beats. Shake, shake, shaaaake!
This sweet face is why I do what I do!