This week, the kids learned about the F Major chord (and just to remind you, two weeks ago, we learned the C Major chord).  I added green tape to each note of the F chord on the piano so that the children could explore jumping from the C chord and F chord.  In a couple weeks, I will add the G chord, and then we will have completed the chords that make up the key of C major (C, F, & G).  The point of this exercise is not necessarily to memorize the chords but to offer a creative outlet and to isolate the senses by focusing on hearing changes (or intervals) in pitches.  After having the chance to play the piano during work cycles, we hope that each child walks away with a better understanding and appreciation of how music can be made.

First off, the purpose of this lesson is not to memorize what I am teaching but rather to expose the kids to music and to get them thinking about how music can be made.  I am just giving the ideas to explore on their own and I am not so concerned about them doing everything the way I show them.

To give a piano lesson to an entire class of students can be tricky, so I brought in my electronic keyboard and placed it on the floor during circle time in order for the kids to have a good view of all of the keys.  I gave a brief explanation of the difference between my keyboard and piano, mentioned the base and treble clef symbol while playing some low and high notes, and showed them how to find middle C.

Next, I took a dry erase marker and wrote all of the letters out on the white keys of my keyboard, so that everyone could see how the pattern of a,b,c,d,e,f, and g repeats over and over again.   Then, I said, “What if I try to play all of them at the same time?”  So, I aimlessly attempted to bang on as many keys with both hands to create some noise that made the kids cringe.  I explained that while it’s perfectly fine to explore and create music on our own, most people have found a way to communicate music with each other through techniques and approaches that are shared around the world… (I was trying to explain music theory here).  I showed them some sheet music and pointed out how the low notes are placed low on the staff and high notes are placed higher.  I played some chords and explained that once I learned these chords, I could start communicating with other musicians and I can play other people’s music, too.

Finally, I get to the point I am trying to reach by wiping away the dry erase letters except for any C, E, or G note (which make up the C Major Chord).  That’s right,  I am teaching them chords first. Why?  I suppose it has a lot to do with the fact that I had too many bad piano teachers in my earlier years whose techniques I found very boring.  I eventually quit piano for years until I gave it another go in college.  Typically, everything I was taught to play as a child was very structured, boring, and repetitive.  It wasn’t until I took piano classes in college that I realized it doesn’t have to be so excruciating.

Anyway, so during work cycles the kids enjoyed playing the notes that make up a C chord in whatever order they wanted.  They were shown a few examples such as playing notes at the same time, holding notes out or playing keys while counting to keep a beat.  Each child took their own approach and you’d be surprised how good they really sounded!