Imagine this: you’re sitting in your teaching studio, eagerly anticipating your next student’s arrival. You answer the door, and there they stand, empty-handed. A wave of dread washes over you as their parent sheepishly apologises for forgetting the music.
So any lesson plan you had is out of the window, and it’s time to improvise! Fortunately there are so many music skills we can work on that don’t require the student’s music. I’ve faced this situation countless times throughout my teaching career, and it’s become second nature to respond quickly. I always have a repertoire of engaging activities ready to go!
A lesson without sheet music is an excellent opportunity to hone your student’s listening skills. To improve their rhythm and beat competency, have them clap along to you playing at various tempos and time signatures. Or, challenge them to sing back a short, simple melody after you’ve played it.
Here are a few other go to activities for no-music lessons:
- practice sight reading!Â
- work on the non-piece exam requirements: memorise scales, technical exercises etc.
- quickly print some music that your student can learn in one lesson (such as music from The Piano Teacher’s Music Vault 👀)
If you need an easy solution for when students forget their music, keep your eyes peeled for something new coming very soon!