UMT Blog

Have Fun Teaching Tip #1 - The "ABC's" on the Keyboard

Prep 1 Rudiments introduces the “ABC’s” on the Keyboard. Students first recognize the keys on the keyboard by finding the groups of 2 and 3 black keys. Using the groups of black keys, they then learn how to identify the white keys.

Use the Prep 1 Workbooks at the keyboard. Teach students to HEAR what they SEE. Using the exercises in the Prep 1 workbook, identify the following:

• Pitch – High and Low sounds. Explore the topography of the keyboard. Can you feel the groups of two and three black keys? Close your eyes. Can you find the white key D? Can you find the white keys A B C?
• Dynamics – Loud and Soft Sounds. Play A B C using both loud and soft sounds. Start down low playing loudly, then get softer as you play going up the keyboard. Start up high playing softly, then get louder as you play going down.
• Articulation - Legato and Staccato sounds. Play A B C using different articulations – legato and staccato sounds.

This is “Pre-Teaching” these concepts to train the EAR to HEAR (Pitch, Dynamics and Articulation) before they are introduced as symbols in the written language of music.

Have Fun Teaching Tip #2 - The "ABC's" on the Staff

Prep 1 Rudiments introduces the “ABC’s” on the Staff. Students learn to recognize Direction of going up or going down.

Students are introduced to Melodic Patterns: skips, steps and same line or same space. Prep 1 helps you teach the association from the notes on the staff to the keys on the keyboard at the correct pitch.

Teach students to identify high sounds and low sounds based on the notes written in the Treble Clef and Bass Clef.

Play the exercises in the Prep 1 Workbook on the keyboard as it will help you teach your students to HEAR what they SEE.

Use the whiteboard to review the placement of the notes on the staff to the correct pitch on the keyboard (the keyboard is directly above the staff). Identify which hand plays the Middle C? Is it written closer to the Bass Clef or the Treble Clef?

Have Fun Teaching Tip #3 - The "ABC's" using Rhythm

Prep 1 Rudiments introduces the “ABC’s" using Rhythm. Students learn notation and Time Signature by adding rhythm and pulse (Strong, weak or Medium) to a musical measure.

Prep 1 Rudiments provides the foundation for teaching the elements of music by combining melodic intervals with rhythm to create Melody; and adding harmonic intervals and triads to create Harmony.

Use the whiteboard to begin composing. Draw a Treble Clef on the first staff. Add the Time Signature of 4/4. Divide the staff into 4 measures.

Then, ask your students to create their own composition using:

• Various Rhythms - notes and rests
• Patterns - step, skip or same
• Direction - ascending or descending
• Articulation - staccato or legato
• Dynamics - forte, piano, crescendo or decrescendo (They may also write words.)

Suggest that your student ends on the note of C (if writing in the key of C Major).

Have your students perform their own composition as this builds creativity and confidence as they learn to HEAR what they SEE.

You will have fun teaching composition and your student will have fun composing! EASY!

Just remember the KISS – Keep It Simple for Students!

Ready to get started? Want to have fun teaching theory? Here’s everything you need.