Spell and Play: Games and Songs from A to G
This fun ongoing course will introduce little fingers to the keys on the keyboard, notes and music symbols, and how to build and play note patterns and familiar short songs with the keys of the musical alphabet.
Canda Daryl Fisher
Average rating:
4.9
Number of reviews:(63)
What's included
1 live meeting
30 mins in-class hours per weekHomework
1 hour per week. Teacher may distribute fun activity sheets and keyboard exercises as needed either attached or for purchase.Class Experience
Grab your alphabet letters and let's discover keys A through G, create melodies, and learn familiar tunes! Each class we begin with identifying all the keys on the keyboard. Students will use the alphabet letters to associate the letter with the music key on their personal keyboard. Then students follow a short melody or a simple song as given by the teacher. Repetition is key for early childhood learning, so after going through all the keys, we will continue to repeat the first warmup task of finding keys, learning a simple song, so that all students are welcome to join the class at any time and start playing! We will also gain a musical understanding of musical terms through imaginative play, interactive games, and writing and drawing music notes (teacher will give advance notice of additional materials if needed). Whether you have a piano or digital keyboard, this class is for little fingers to touch and explore the keyboard along with hearing and recognizing keys. Additional benefits include: motor skill development with practicing rhythms, fingering and key patterns, problem solving skills and cognitive development (e.g. sorting and matching alphabet letters to keys), and routine and structure with reviewing the same concepts regularly. NOTE: This class requires at least 4 learners in attendance over the course of 3 ongoing classes. If fewer than 4 learners, the Instructor may request students to transfer over to another group class or individual piano lessons. Here is our syllabus for the upcoming weeks. Although we feature a key from the music alphabet, the beginning warmup activities and simple melodies are designed for students to be able to join the class at any week to learn the keyboard. The Ongoing class will always return full circle to reintroduce each musical key and how to locate them (e.g. if we start with A and end with G, we will return to A as review. ) That way when a learner joins at any time they will still have the opportunity to study keys, note values, etc. as reinforcement. The syllabus will be updated as we proceed weekly: Week of July 4: 2s, 3s (Black Keys) and Finding C Greeting Song - Hello and Welcome! Routine Warmup - Walking up and down the Keyboard, black keys, then white (from left to right, exploring highs and lows) Routine Activity - Black Keys Groups, then Matching Letters to Keys Exercise Loud and Soft Activity Mini Melody time - Students follow a short song (e.g. Row Row Row your Boat) Appreciation Activity - Music Game Activity Freestyle Keyboard Jam - students create and explore keys and sounds on the keyboard Goodbye! Week of July 11: 2s, 3s (Black Keys), and Finding D Greeting Song - Hello and Welcome! Routine Warmup - Walking up and down the Keyboard, black keys, then white (from left to right, exploring highs and lows) Routine Activity - Black Keys Groups, then Matching Letters to Keys Exercise Loud and Soft Activity Mini Melody time - Students follow and learn to play a short song (e.g. Mary had a little Lamb) Appreciation Activity - Drawing Activity Freestyle Instrument Jam - students jam with their favorite instrument (e.g. sticks, shakers, drums, etc.) Goodbye! Week of July 18: 2s, 3s (Black Keys) and Finding E Greeting Song - Hello and Welcome! Routine Warmup - Walking up and down the Keyboard, black keys, then white (from left to right, exploring highs and lows) Routine Activity - Black Keys Groups, then Matching Letters to Keys Exercise Loud and Soft Activity Mini Melody time - Students follow a short song (e.g. Are You Sleeping) Appreciation Activity - Music Game Activity Freestyle Keyboard Jam - students create and explore keys and sounds on the keyboard Goodbye! Week of July 25: 2s, 3s (Black Keys) and Finding F Greeting Song - Hello and Welcome! Routine Warmup - Walking up and down the Keyboard, black keys, then white (from left to right, exploring highs and lows) Routine Activity - Black Keys Groups, then Matching Letters to Keys Exercise Loud and Soft Activity Mini Melody time - Students follow and learn to play a short song (e.g. Twinkle twinkle little star) Appreciation Activity - Drawing Activity Freestyle Instrument Jam - students jam with their favorite instrument (e.g. sticks, shakers, drums, etc.) Goodbye!
Learning Goals
Students will be exposed to the music alphabet, the basics of fingering, black and white keys, some simple songs, and key recognition.
Other Details
Parental Guidance
Parents, it is strongly advised if your child is new to piano, to keep in close proximity of your child during this class (try to be not as visible on the camera) should he/she need assistance.
Supply List
Piano or Digital Keyboard - AT LEAST 49 keys Alphabet letters A B C D E F and G, other letters optional (we may spell out short words but not required) of any material e.g. magnetic, foam, plastic, wood, etc. Additional materials on weeks we will use them: Box of Crayons (at least 8 crayons) Pencil Drawing Paper Your Instrument of choice for our Instrument Jams - examples are wooden sticks or spoons, drums, shakers, bells, maracas, etc.
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Joined April, 2020
4.9
63reviews
Teacher expertise and credentials
2 Degrees
Master's Degree in Music or Theatre or Arts from Catholic University of America Benjamin T. Rome School of Music
Bachelor's Degree in Music or Theatre or Arts from George Washington University
Hi there! I offer young minds effective ways to nurture their passion for music by guiding them with patience, creativity, and compassion.
Originally from MD, I received my Bachelor's degree in Music at George Washington University and my Master's Degree in Vocal Performance at Catholic University of America in Washington DC. Since 2002 I've performed and recorded professionally and have enjoyed teaching voice and piano to children and adults for over 20 years.
It's truly rewarding for me to motivate children to think outside the box as they learn concepts of music, theory, and ear training. I teach piano for ages 3 and up, from beginning to intermediate level (up to Level 3 proficiency) as well as offer basic keyboarding (playing with chords and playing by ear). I offer private voice for all levels and genres for ages 10 and up, and group vocal ensembles or musical theatre studies for students as young as 8 years old.Reviews
Live Group Class
$18
weekly1x per week
30 min
Completed by 1 learner
Live video meetings
Ages: 4-6
4-8 learners per class
