New Note Value Rhythm Blocks

I have been meaning to make a new set of note value rhythm blocks for the longest time. The beginner set has been available with my Music Discoveries material for ages, but I've had lots of requests for a printable with more advanced notes and rests.

Finito! One page for simple time signatures and another page for compound time signatures. I had these printed up the other day and they look great!

 Download the Note Value Rhythm Blocks Printable

I would recommend printing on heavy paper and then laminating. I put adhesive magnets on the back so we can manipulate the rhythms on a magnetic white board and write in the full measure counting.

This has been great for reinforcing the concept of the whole measure rests in various time signatures. I'm sure you'll think of lots of ways to use this teaching aid.

The compound time signature set is going to be very handy.

My students have a better grasp of compound time signatures already. They are learning to scoop up "baskets" of three eight note beats by adding a curved line under every group of three.

Wendy at composecreate.com has an amazing selection of rhythm worksheets. I picked out the level one sheet for compound time signatures and printed them for my students to take home and practice.

By the way, Kath from the UK sent me this photo to show how my Music Discoveries rhythm blocks inspired her to create her own twist on note value cards. Welcome to Kath's Rhythm Candy Shop. The scrabble tile holders are brilliant! Thanks Kath!

Periwinkle Twinkle

It's sunny, it was my birthday yesterday and the periwinkle flowers are in blossom. That makes me want to share a little something with you...but only for three days!

Many of you have visited my Garden Capriccio page where you can preview and listen to my collection of seven piano solos. These are fun little pieces for your tween level students and would be delightful on a spring recital program.

For the next three days you can download and print Periwinkle Twinkle for free! The link expires on Friday morning.

Download "Periwinkle Twinkle" (pdf)


And don't forget to show Buzzy to your students. Someone once suggested that we have a competition for the best Buzzy dance video. What do you think :)

Remember you can support my creative work by visiting the Pianoanne Store. Simply purchase the album to receive a quick and easy download of the entire collection, which includes the mps3 and the music e-book. 

I'm just waiting for someone to send me a performance video of "Periwinkle Twinkle" on piano with a Buzzy Gillesbee dancing bee on the side. Who's going to be the one?

Awesome Ear Training Assignments

After spending a good number of weeks on our Young Composers project, it became all too clear to me that my teen students were not necessarily putting their mad theory skills to work when attempting to notate their own compositions. So I came up with a plan to work their musicianship skills to the max over a period of three weeks. Here's what we did with the help of SoundCloud and some free notation software:


Week 1

• You need a music notation program so go download Finale Notepad for free
• Listen to the audio mp3, it's just a short piano melody.
• Figure out how to write down this melody with the correct time signature, key signature, notes and rhythm. Do this in Finale Notepad and print it off.
• Next, you are going to choose appropriate chords for each measure. Write them in.
• Now practice your lead sheet with a nice left hand pattern and bring it to your lesson ready to play.

Week 2
You did such a good job with your first assignment, let's try something a little more difficult. Some of you were wondering about a notation app for the iPad. I discovered a free version of I Write Music, give it a try this week. Remember to feel the basic beat and count. Good luck! It's a very pretty Celtic tune, don't forget to add chord symbols and practice with a nice lead sheet style.





Week 3
This week let's try something a little different. You are going to put all of your skills to use now. I've picked out two songs for you to choose from. Click on the link to hear them in iTunes and buy the one you like the best. Buying your music is an important way to show support for musicians.

1. Consider Me (from the TV show Nashville)
2. Don't Let Me Fall (Lenka)

You are going to work out the melody and notate it properly with either Finale or the I Write Music app. You will also add the lyrics and chord symbols. Print your final score and bring it to your lesson, but ALSO learn to save your score as a pdf file and email it to me.


Here's what they learned:

1. If you are going to email a document, make it a pdf (huge breakthrough)
2. You have to feel the beat and count in order to solve rhythmic notation (huge breakthrough)

Here's what I learned:

1. My students really liked these assignments. Everyone over the age of 12 gave it a really good try and their skills improved quickly.
2. My students still don't know how to add lyrics to a score...topic for another assignment! There's always something, right?

Now isn't this what ear training should be all about? Maybe you have some teens who would like to give this a try.