Picture it: your student walks in with a sheepish grin and no music books in sight. Although your student is right on time for his lesson, his books, unfortunately, are not. What do you do?
We’ve all been there -- and it can be frustrating to have our lesson plans derailed by a lack of books. However, instead of seeing this as a lost lesson, why not see it as an opportunity to focus on an activity that you and your student might not otherwise have time to do?
In today’s post, I’ll be sharing 4 fun activities you can have prepared for those times when a student arrives for lessons without their music, with links to free resources you can download instantly!
Keep reading to learn more….
We’ve all been there -- and it can be frustrating to have our lesson plans derailed by a lack of books. However, instead of seeing this as a lost lesson, why not see it as an opportunity to focus on an activity that you and your student might not otherwise have time to do?
In today’s post, I’ll be sharing 4 fun activities you can have prepared for those times when a student arrives for lessons without their music, with links to free resources you can download instantly!
Keep reading to learn more….
1. Do a music history activity.
I’m always looking for ways to incorporate music history into our lessons. If your student arrives with no books, take it as a sign that a history lesson is due!
Learn about a musical time period, read about a famous composer together, do a listening activity, or even watch an interesting music history video. Check out my music history resources, organized by time period, at the links below!
Baroque Period
Classical Period
Romantic Period
Contemporary Period
2. Do a composing activity.
I love incorporating composition into lessons because it is a creative activity that also helps students to review their music theory and notation skills.
Students can usually complete one of these composition worksheets from start to finish in the space of one lesson. Click on the images below to download your free copy!
I’m always looking for ways to incorporate music history into our lessons. If your student arrives with no books, take it as a sign that a history lesson is due!
Learn about a musical time period, read about a famous composer together, do a listening activity, or even watch an interesting music history video. Check out my music history resources, organized by time period, at the links below!
Baroque Period
Classical Period
Romantic Period
Contemporary Period
2. Do a composing activity.
I love incorporating composition into lessons because it is a creative activity that also helps students to review their music theory and notation skills.
Students can usually complete one of these composition worksheets from start to finish in the space of one lesson. Click on the images below to download your free copy!
 |  |  |
See even more composing activities on my "Free Stuff" page HERE (scroll down to "Improv, Composition, and Theory Worksheets").
3. Create an arrangement from a lead sheet.
Reading lead sheets is such an important skill, and a great way to review chord symbols and accompaniment patterns! In the space of one lesson, your student can create their own special arrangement of one, or possibly both, of these familiar songs. Click on the images below to download your free copy!
Reading lead sheets is such an important skill, and a great way to review chord symbols and accompaniment patterns! In the space of one lesson, your student can create their own special arrangement of one, or possibly both, of these familiar songs. Click on the images below to download your free copy!
 |  |
4. Transpose an easy piece into all 12 keys.
Want a good way to work on intervallic reading and scale skills at the same time? Try transposing!
In the space of one lesson, your student can learn to build all 12 major pentascales and to transpose a familiar song into all 12 keys using the resources below. Click on the images to download your free copy!
Want a good way to work on intervallic reading and scale skills at the same time? Try transposing!
In the space of one lesson, your student can learn to build all 12 major pentascales and to transpose a familiar song into all 12 keys using the resources below. Click on the images to download your free copy!
 |  |
See even more transposing challenge worksheets on my "Free Stuff" page HERE (scroll down to "Transposing Challenge Worksheets").
What do you think? What are your go-to activities for when a student arrives with no music books? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments!
What do you think? What are your go-to activities for when a student arrives with no music books? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments!
RSS Feed