Fun & Games, Book 1: Piano Book

This book transforms what could be rote skill-building into genuine musical exploration. The game-based approach keeps students motivated across multiple pieces while introducing real concepts like eighth note rhythms and contrary motion—no gimmicks, just smart pedagogy wrapped in fun.

Playful and surprising. Each activity delivers a small discovery—an upside-down phrase suddenly makes sense, a musical maze reveals a hidden melody, a rhythm puzzle clicks into place. The music itself remains accessible and singable, never sacrificing melody for the sake of a game.

Young pianists in their first or second year of study who respond well to visual variety and activity-based learning. This book works especially well for students who find traditional graded repertoire monotonous or who benefit from seeing musical concepts applied in unexpected ways.

• Prepare upside-down pieces by reading them aloud first without the piano. Familiarity with the note sequence makes the visual disorientation manageable.
• Work through mazes slowly and deliberately, treating each pathway decision as a deliberate musical choice rather than a puzzle to rush through.
• Use the games as incentive stations within a practice session. Students often practice surrounding material more diligently when they know a game awaits.
• Encourage students to explain what they notice about the concepts they're discovering (why contrary motion sounds the way it does, how eighth notes change the feel of a phrase).

Assign pieces from this book as supplemental material during the foundational lesson year, using games as rewards for completing technical work or as springboards for discussing musical concepts in student recitals. The variety also makes it ideal for studio open houses or informal performance events where the interactive element engages both performers and audience members.

• Reading music upside-down and in unconventional orientations
• Recognizing and playing eighth note rhythms in various contexts
• Understanding contrary motion through direct application
• Following visual musical instructions beyond traditional notation
• Building confidence and playfulness in performance
• Problem-solving within a musical framework