Think piano practice is all about physically practicing scales and exercises? Think again! Piano worksheets can be great “homework” for young students – and as parents, you can use them to help your child brush up on what they’ve learned! Find out more in this guest post from Des Moines, IA piano teacher Mariana P...
During the past few years piano worksheets have been getting a bad rap. Many parents and teachers feel worksheets waste time, as they only “teach” what a child already knows; some even consider them to be developmentally inappropriate. However, I believe that the right worksheets can be very beneficial for piano students of all levels. Piano theory worksheets–or those covering whatever topic your child is working on at the time–are an easy, inexpensive, effective, and fun way to introduce knowledge of music terms and concepts.
How to Help Your Child with Piano Worksheets
How can you as a parent help your piano student with worksheets? First, ask your teacher what your child needs help with if they haven’t informed you already. Piano method books are great, but for some students, they might be moving too quickly for them to grasp a particular concept solidly enough and move on to the next one. A beginning student may be struggling to understand basic concepts like finger numbers, dynamics, or note names, while others may be having a hard time with chords, intervals, and transposition.
Luckily, there is a plethora of worksheets available online and at your local music store. I recommend sticking to one subject at a time to ensure the comprehension of the subject before moving on. Learning music is a cumulative process and if one concept is weak, the following ones will be too. (Think of it like trying to learn how to multiply if your addition skills are shaky.)
Where Can You Find Piano Worksheets?
Your child’s piano teacher may assign certain worksheets, or you can search on your own based on what your child is working on. Online is a great place to start looking. Lesson plan marketplaces such as Teachers Pay Teachers, Teacher’s Notebook, and Etsy are all great options. If you find those sites a bit overwhelming, many piano blogs offer free worksheets and printables. Keep in mind that some concepts are universal to all musicians, so if you’re feeling brave, take a look at the blogs of other music teachers besides piano. Last and certainly not least, check out Pinterest! You can find thousands of worksheets and boards devoted to music and piano. Check out my music theory worksheets board here, and take a look at TakeLessons’ board all about piano here!
If scouring the internet for worksheets is not an option for you, head down to your local music store and don’t be afraid to ask the staff for help; remember, they are musicians too! Most music publishers like Alfred, Bastien, and Faber will have notespellers, color-by-note, and other short books with tons of worksheets and games all organized by level.
Lastly, include your child in the search for these piano theory worksheets, whether it be online or at a store. When they see you spending time in order to help them, they will know how much you care about them and their success. You will also show them that their opinion matters, making them more likely to put in the work to improve their skills. Happy searching!
Mariana C. teaches piano, singing, and Spanish lessons in Des Moines, IA. She has a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from Shenandoah Conservatory and a Master of Music in Vocal Pedagogy at the Catholic University of America. Learn more about Mariana here!
Photo from ColorInMyPiano.com
Suzy S.