Just as in any other learning activity, we want to make learning music online as fun as possible for our students. Here are a few ideas to get you going
Just as in any other learning activity, we want to make learning music online as fun as possible for our students. Here are a few ideas to get you going
Non-musical games
Occasionally it might be best to try a simple non-musical games to start. This could help get to know new students, break the ice for students new to online learning or just to get some fun in before the serious stuff!
- Eye Spy – Use the image from your camera or screen share an image (Google ‘eye spy pictures’ or ‘Where’s Wally pictures)
- Noughts and Crosses – Some platforms allow both computer users to use a ‘whiteboard’. Use this to play noughts and crosses
High Five!
For younger students, you could teach them a ‘3, 2, 1, Hi Five!’. After counting 3, 2, 1 you then high fives your camera both ends. This can be a really nice way to congratulate your student. Another way to High 5 is like this if your images are side by side.
Me first, then you
An inherent issue with teaching music online is the time lag or latency. I have found using a quick fire mimicking game is a great way to feel genuine musical interaction and conversation. If I’m exploring a rhythm, I could spend 2 minutes clapping random rhythms in a call and response game. Make sure the student also has a go at being the leader.
Play along with me!
Ok, so when we try and play together it gets all confused in our headphones and speakers and everything is out of time and comes unstuck. But, there is a way.
- As the teacher, remove or turn down your listening device. Turns speakers down or take off your headphones and warn the student you will be doing so and can’t hear them.
- Play the live accompaniment on your instrument to the student and ask them to play along to you and hey presto!
The down-side is that you cannot hear and critique the playing, or react to the other musician. The up-side is that the student really gets the experience of playing along with you.
Watch My Hand
In this game, we start with a chord progression or melody that we have already achieved or accomplished. We then ask the student to start playing the piece. If it’s very short then ask the student to play it in a loop.
Then try to hold your hand, palm open, in the middle of the screen. When you move your hand higher, the student should raise their volume/dynamic. When you lower your hand, the dynamic should drop. The top of the screen is full volume, the bottom of the screen the softest dynamic.
Practice this first.
Now the next step. As the student is playing the piece hold you hand in the centre of the image palm open. Now when you move your hand right (from the students perspective), the tempo should increase. When you move your hand left from centre, the tempo should decrease.
Once this is understood through careful and thorough explanation. Try using both at the same time. There is bound to be some hilarity. Now let the student be in control!!
Chrome Music Lab
An incredible FREE music resource from Google. It is beautifully designed and elegantly simple. This is a great way to bring some harmonic theory to life.
Use the ‘Arpeggios’ Section to make some quick 4 chord progressions for song-writing. Take turns and play your creations to each other.
We hope these ideas help and inspire some new activities for your online lessons. Good luck and above all, have fun!
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