Piano drop in update

We have just completed our fifth piano drop in class. I am having a lot of fun teaching this program. Each week I compose a new reading piece. I also make sure I have a mystery reading piece. I plan on reviewing a by ear piece which I call "the pieces no one every quite gets the first time". Depending on their level I add chords or chordal accompaniment. I plan to repeat the reading pieces as dictation pieces in August. I also plan to add Christmas carols (never too early). I found real nice paper to print on (a heavier weight). I also leave copies on my bulletin board so the students can always select a reading piece to take home. We always play aural improv games. This week I opened the class by having them choose a card that included either a warm up, a chord progression or an improvisation. They had to pick a key to do it in. We also played bingo with tonal patterns. I kept the patterns in g minor because the reading/by ear piece was "When the Train Comes along" which we did in ensemble as well.

Next year I may split the group to year one and year two. However, I so far don't see any problem combining the classes. I am mostly reviewing the end of year one, which includes so many fundamentals. If they are comfortable with book 2, they can continue with the other books.

I also taught an adult to read music using the adult MG program (with adaptations of course) and we had a blast. When the adult came in she was nervous but when she left she felt empowered and was laughing and excited about her homework.