A matching game to learn the dynamics in music by Piano Comics

When I want my piano beginners, especially younger ages and preschoolers, to learn a new music term or principle I always try to find examples from everyday life and demonstrate it. It’s not enough for me to just show it on the piano. Yes, piano means soft, quiet and I can play soft and quiet just like my student. But when I show them either with my voice the piano dynamic or an example from everyday life, nature, thoughts, feelings that’s when the knowledge willl stick long-term. And of course I will ask them to repeat or find their own example. So, piano is not just playing softer. It’s also like talking as soon as we wake up. Pianissimo is not just playing as soft as possible. It’s whispering. Piano is the voice a kitten will have (if it’s not hungry). Pianissimo will be their purring.

Next, move on with the rest of dynamics – no need to do a lot, just 6, 2 soft, 2 medium, 2 loud ( pp, p, mp ,mf, f, ff ) while giving examples or asking the students to come up with examples. Always try and give them initiative and a reason to use critical thinking and their creativity; kids are SO much better than us with their imagination – some of my most successful examples are from my students!

And finally, please don’t omit to mention what is the full name of a piano, where it came from and WHY was it named like that. Thank you, Bartolomeo Cristofori.

Here is a matching game for learning 6 dynamics plus an easy piece for 1 hand that uses different dynamics following the context of the lyrics. This material is from the product ‘Workbook Sheet Music’ for piano beginners by Piano Comics. 

You can use this game also in a musc classroom.