Name: Piano Music Games Day 4: Improvisation and Lead Sheets
Uploaded: 2023-06-15T20:05:38.833Z
Duration: 12 min 38 s

In today's class, we learned that improvisation means to make up the music as you go along! We used the hand positions and the chords we learned earlier in the week to make up our own music! We also learned how to read lead sheets to play a melody in the right hand, while left hand plays chords.

I hope you'll join me for the final class tomorrow where we pull everything together for a final project!

Piano

I have been teaching music  for 25 years, both in private lesson and classroom settings. I have a Bachelor's degree in Music Education from Shenandoah University & Conservatory and I have experience teaching all age groups, from age 3 through senior adults, and every age in between. I enjoy teaching students with a variety of abilities and backgrounds, including students with special needs. While I generally use specific curriculum materials, I can also tailor that curriculum to the individual needs of every student. 

I like to incorporate games, composing, and various music challenges into the lessons and I encourage my students to try to step out of their musical comfort zones and try new things.  I also try to do virtual recitals once or twice a year. I enjoy seeing a student's confidence grow as they learn and be creative! Every student is capable of learning something about music and being successful at it!

Piano Music Games Day 4: Improvisation and Lead Sheets

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Music Theory

Flute

Singing

Beginner

Intermediate

Advanced

This was a fifteen hour course intended to provide educators with unique learning opportunities to develop their skills in working more effectively with students with special needs and those who are neurodivergent in the music classroom, ensemble, and studio settings.

Music Education & Special Needs Study Group

I have taught private piano, voice, and beginner flute lessons and have had great success keeping a full schedule of a variety of students. Among those students are several very young children, ages 4-6, as well as all ages up through adults. I have also worked with several special needs students of varying challenges throughout the years, using music to reach them on their level.

Private Music Teacher

I taught private piano, voice, and beginner flute lessons here at Melodee Music, a local music store in my area, for 16 years. I taught students ages 5+ and I also held a Summer Music Camp for kids there for a few years.

I started teaching private lessons while I was in college earning my degree. I mostly traveled and taught in the students' homes before creating a studio in my own home, where I developed my skills as a teacher and learned how to organize my lessons and which methods worked and which did not.

At a private church school, I teach general music classes to grades K-8.  I teach the basics of note-reading, rhythms, and music theory in a group/classroom setting, while incorporating singing, playing a variety of classroom instruments, composing, music games, and dances.

Classroom Music Teacher

English

I have been playing piano for over 30 years and teaching for 25 years. I love seeing students grow in their piano playing and musicianship!  In each piano lesson, we learn, practice, and study the basics of note-reading, rhythms, and playing techniques. We use a variety of musical styles throughout a series of books, as well as individual pieces chosen by the teacher and the student working together, according to the student's level, needs, and preferences. I also use learning games and various music challenges to make the lessons fun and engaging! We usually will have one or 2 virtual recitals a year, in an easy-going, no-pressure environment.

For every student, we can progress as fast or as slow as the student needs to be successful. For younger students I generally use the Faber Piano Adventures books, along with several of their supplemental materials. I am also well-versed in the Bastien Piano Basics books for kids. For teen and adult students, I use the Bastien All-In-One Adult, Alfreds All-In-One Adult, or Piano Adventures Adult piano books, as well as a few supplemental materials, and I usually try to include the Fundamentals of Piano Theory as well.

My daughter really enjoyed Donna and we hope to take more lessons with her!

Donna is a really wonderful teacher! She is kind, thoughtful, and really takes the time to make sure you understand the music/concept/theory lesson. She is also always available to help. I highly recommend her.

Mrs. Donna is amazing she is kind and cares about her students

My daughter loves learning from Donna and Donna is very patient and works well over Zoom,

Donna is professional and an excellent teacher.  She quickly assessed what I needed from our first few lessons.    I am excited about the progress I have already made and look forward to each lesson.  Thank you Donna for helping me get back to basics without feeling like I'm starting over.

Donna is super kind and encouraging, and she is also a great teacher.

Very personable and a skilled instructor. Very good at finding an appropriate learning pace for my 12 year old

As an adult student, I have a toddler and a busy schedule (FT job). I've been taking the Flute lessons with Miss Donna since last May (over a year now). I really appreciate Miss Donna's understanding and flexibility towards my schedule. Also, since we are now having online sessions, she records videos of herself playing the notes for me and sends them to me so I can have the opportunity of practicing duets with her when I have some downtime (mostly late at night). Thank you very much, Miss Donna, for supporting me to pursue my dream of playing the flute. I’ve come a longggg way since last year and this couldn’t have been achieved without your great teaching style, support, patience and wonderful attitude.

Donna is a really wonderful teacher!  She is in tune with your needs as a student and facilitates your lessons accordingly.  She also takes the time to listen to your goals as a student as well as your interests in music to play.  She teaches with thoughtfulness, patience, and kindness.  I would highly recommend her for your piano instruction.

Great experience with high learning quality, as interactive  as our in-person sessions. Thank you Ms. Donna!

We’ve been taking lessons with miss Donna for over two years now. We just started online lessons this week and had a great experience!  She is patient with our kids and works with us to what will work the best for their personalities. We highly recommend her!

Awesome video and audio quality! Donna was fantastic! We have booked another package of classes with her!!! The ease and convenience are awesome!!

I'm very happy I've found Ms. Donna for our daughter's piano lessons. It's been a joy watching my little girl learn how to play. Ms. Donna is also very responsive and keeps a open line of communication. I would highly recommend her!

Ms. Donna has made our daughters first piano lessons such a positive experience.  Our daughter has not only learned so much in a short time frame, but also enjoys going to lessons.  Highly recommend!!

In this video, we will learn how to play the classic Christmas song, Jingle Bells! This is a beginner level piece using Middle C position with an extra note here or there. I will show you step by step, line by line, how to play this fun Christmas piece! Come and join the fun!

Christmas Piano: Jingle Bells Level 1

In this video, I will show you step by step, line by line,  how to play the Christmas song, Silver Bells from the Alfred's Adult Christmas Piano book. Letters for notes are provided so no need to fully read music yet. Just come and enjoy and have fun learning this classic song!

Christmas Piano: Silver Bells Level 1

In this video, we will learn to play We Gather Together, a thanksgiving hymn. We will learn one hand at a time and then put the hands together when you're ready. In this song, both hands change positions frequently and eventually come together to make a sweet harmonious hymn of thanks. 

We Gather Together: A Thanksgiving Hymn

Five Fat Turkeys is a fun Thanksgiving song for kids just starting out on the piano. It uses one hand at a time in the Middle C Position, which is commonly one of the first hand positions we learn. I will guide you through the song step by step, reinforcing the letters in Middle C position as well as on the piano keys and learning some rhythm. Join me in the Thanksgiving fun!

Five Fat Turkeys

In this video, we will learn a spooky Halloween piece called Phantom of the Keys. This piece is from Piano Adventures level 3B so its great for intermediate students learning about chords and scales and are ready to explore the entire piano!

Phantom of the Keys: Piano Adventures Level 3B

In this video, we learn to play a fun, spooky Halloween piece called In the Hall of the Mountain King. This is from Piano Adventures Level 4 so it would be great for intermediate level students. Join the fun as we bounce along on this fast-paced spooky ride along the entire piano!

In the Hall of the Mountain King: Piano Adventures Level 4

In this video, we will be learning how to play the piece Night of the Tarantella, found in Piano Adventures Lesson Book Level 3A. This is the perfect piece for a late beginner, early intermediate student, looking for a classical Halloween piece! In this piece, we will practice some counting in 6/8 time and learn about a couple musical directions. We will also be playing in different octaves and using several playing techniques to bring out the spookiness of the music, just in time for Halloween!

Night of the Tarantella: Piano Adventures Level 3A

In this video, we will be learning how to play Song for a Scarecrow, a fun, easy song for fall! This music is found in Piano Adventures Lesson Book Level 1, so its great for beginners who have already had some instruction and know how to read the notes on the staff. In this song, we also learn a little bit about some basic chords! Come join me in the fun!

Song for a Scarecrow: Piano Adventures Level 1

In this video, we will learn how to play The Haunted Mouse on piano. This piece is found in Piano Adventures Lesson Book Level 1. Come join me as we learn to play this fun seasonal piece perfect for fall or Halloween!

Haunted Mouse: Piano Adventures Level 1

In this video, we will learn to play a fun fall song on the piano! This song is perfect for young beginners as it only uses the right hand and a handful of notes. I will take you step by step, note by note to learn how to play this festive seasonal song!

Pumpkin Party: My First Piano Adventures Level B

In this video we will learn how to play a piece of music perfect for fall: Whirling Leaves from Piano Adventures Lesson Book Level 2A. While this is still considered a beginner piece, it is for later beginners who have already been playing a while and are proficient at reading music, playing with both hands, and using the pedal.  Come join me as we learn to play this beautiful fall piece on the piano!

Whirling Leaves: Piano Adventures Level 2A

In this video, we will discuss a few common musical directions (symbols and Italian music words) that you might frequently see in your music. Some of these terms and symbols tell us to do something or play a certain way, while others tell us to go somewhere else in the music.

Come watch and learn where the music will take you!

Donna W.

Piano Music Games Day 4: Improvisation and Lead Sheets

Donna's Piano videos

Christmas Piano: Jingle Bells Level 1

Christmas Piano: Silver Bells Level 1

We Gather Together: A Thanksgiving Hymn

Five Fat Turkeys

Phantom of the Keys: Piano Adventures Level 3B

In the Hall of the Mountain King: Piano Adventures Level 4

Night of the Tarantella: Piano Adventures Level 3A

Song for a Scarecrow: Piano Adventures Level 1

Haunted Mouse: Piano Adventures Level 1

Pumpkin Party: My First Piano Adventures Level B

Whirling Leaves: Piano Adventures Level 2A

Musical Directions

Teacher Reviews (27)

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