Playing piano games online can make a difference for children learning to play the piano. Studying any instrument can be a challenge because there are several different learning types that psychologists have identified. The four main categories are:
1.) Visual
2.) Auditory
3.) Reading/Writing
4.) Kinesthetic
Most students use a combination of learning styles to gain proficiency at the piano.
For instance, understanding the keyboard layout is essential. Additionally, learning how to follow the notes and read music – in time – is also vital. The key phrase in this statement is: in time.
It’s challenging for students learning any instrument to track notes and perform music in time. Traditionally, the metronome has been used to improve and correct timing issues. However, playing piano games online can help to speed up this process And they can also promote many other indispensable skills.
So, Just What Online Piano Games Are We Talking About?
More and more, educators are turning to online games to help beginner students, especially those ages 5-10. You can find several apps across all platforms, including IOS, Android, and Windows, designed for rote learning note names. For educational games, it’s even easier than downloading apps. A simple online search can allow you to access many piano games in an instant.
Not only are these games fun, but they can also be instructive for learners of all four learning types. Since the objective is to learn how to play piano more proficiently, while engaging all (or most) learning types, I have chosen games that promote musical literacy, listening skills, timing/rhythmical accuracy, and creativity.
The fourth learning type listed above, kinesthesia, is inherent in gaming since games are hands-on (participatory) and action-oriented activities. Moreover, online games can be a welcomed break for the youngest learners, who may naturally have shorter attention spans.
AGame
One of the toughest things to do on the piano is to maintain the correct timing, especially while learning basic tunes such as “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star,” “Happy Birthday,” and more. agame.com has several games that work on identifying melodies, while generally maintaining the correct rhythm and timing. Their games “Piano Bar,” “Magic Piano Tiles,” and “Repeat the Melody” work specifically on this.
“Repeat The Melody” is particularly helpful. This game uses the twelve tones of a musical octave. This game is an excellent tool for improving your visual and memory skills, especially as each musical snippet gets more complex and the notes become more frequent.
Another benefit is that the student can better learn the keyboard layout, and the five lines and four spaces of a musical staff. For example, If you play the notes “C,” “E,” and “G” on the given keyboard, it will show the student all of these notes on the staff. In “Repeat The Melody,” the site plays you one or two measures of music. Then you simply repeat the notes. If you get them correct, you move to the next level. If not, you can listen and try again.
For teachers, this game can help introduce musical intervals (the space between notes) which, in turn, provides entry into the study of music theory (chords and scales). Lastly, “Repeat The Melody” introduces the student to the solfege syllables “Do, Re, Me, Fa, Sol, La, Si,” which helps to connect the notes to the human voice and singing.
AbabaSoft
The same company that created “Repeat The Melody” (ababasoft.com) has other games such as “Online Piano Music Machine” and “Computer Play a Note” geared towards ear training, pitch recognition, and more. Just make sure you have updated your Adobe Flash Player to play all these fascinating games.
Chrome Music Lab
Chrome Music Lab is another excellent online game (and resource) for piano students. With Chrome Music Lab, there is an advantage because you can create an entire song using their easy to manipulate online piano studio.
The student may use the game’s built in sounds to also layer in other instruments such as marimba, drum machine, strings, synth, and woodwinds.
Chrome Music Lab excels at boosting and encouraging musical creativity and right-brained, intuitive thinking. In fact, this game is a great way to start composing music. Furthermore, unlike most games, Chrome Music Lab promotes the use of the full range of the piano. Finally, the game uses colors to improve visual acuity and memory, not unlike some professional performers, who employ synesthesia to navigate the real piano keyboard.
Playing Piano Games Online Can Be a Powerful Learning Supplement
Games cannot replace old fashioned practice at the piano. However, they can successfully supplement students’ weekly activities. Overall, games help to provide a new environment for the development of fine and gross motor skills, while also nurturing a student’s intellectual and creative powers.
Furthermore, online games often use, and even connect, all four learning styles. But most of all, games are a ton of fun!
Eric Starr