Barn Yard Blitz - Key Identification Game

I originally saw this game on D'Net's Layton Music Games and Resources. She used little military men to race across the keyboard, but I didn't have any of those. (You should click over and see her cute pictures of it!) Instead, I used little barn yard animals from the game Uno Moo!

Barn Yard Blitz- Key Identification Game

Object of the Game: To make it across the keyboard first while identifying key notes correctly

Necessary items:

• 2 barn yard animals that will fit on a key easily
• Musical Alphabet Cards (or you could write letter names on pieces of paper and pull them out of a hat. But the Alphabet cards can be used for oh so many things...)
  

To Play:

• Put your animals at one end of the keyboard.
• Take turns drawing alphabet cards and placing your pieces on the next appropriate note.
• Whoever makes it to the opposite side first, wins.

My 8 year old student thought it was hilarious when I mooed and she appropriately responded with some raucous oinks! She legitimately won, but if your student is losing, you can "accidentally" let them have two turns like D'Net! It was a 4 thumbs up from us!

Contact Me

Feel free to contact me with questions or to set up a complimentary first lesson evaluation.

Celia Brasfield
Email: playpianowithme@gmail.com
Phone: 972-332-3947

About

Early Years
My love for piano began at a very young age. As a child, I watched my mother teach 20-40 students every year while maintaining a home and caring for her own 7 children. I started taking formal lessons when I was 5 years old. With 5 older siblings and 30-40 piano students playing on our piano, the only time I was able to practice was at 6AM! I would set my own alarm and get up on my own to practice because I loved it. Not only would I practice my own assignments, but I secretly took pleasure in practicing my older sister's music as well!

I began playing at competitions in the 7th grade, and with my mother's guidance, I started teaching piano when I was 14 years old. By the time I was a senior in high school, I had 20 piano students. I continued taking private piano and voice lessons until I graduated high school. Because I performed in high school Honor Choir, Madrigals, and 3 years of Arizona All-State choir, most of my high school repertoire centered around accompaniments. I accompanied numerous peers for auditions, competitions, and school performances, as well as our church choir.

College Years
Though I continued teaching piano while attending Brigham Young University, I desired to obtain a new skill set and received a BS in Marriage, Family, and Human Development. In 2001 I taught English in a private Chinese school in Hefei, Anhui, China. After college I worked at a residential treatment center for troubled youth both as a staff and later as head cook. I have had wonderful opportunities to learn to connect with and teach young children and teenagers. Music is a new language for most children and requires a steady, patient, creative teacher who can create a fun and safe learning environment.

Recent Years
After college we moved to TX for my husband's work. My first order of business after moving into my own home was to purchase an antique upright grand like I learned on, and to start a piano studio! I have had wonderful students over the past few years here. Since moving here, we have had three sons.

I love to play piano,

and I would love for you or your child to come play piano with me!

Studio Policies

Home Play
Piano should be fun, exciting, and rewarding.  My main goal for children is to play every day. Period. Some days might be longer, some days might be shorter, but, I find it's better to play regularly than to do a marathon practice session the night before lessons.

Beginning students can usually practice about 2 times their age in minutes. So, a 4 year old may only practice 8 min./day while a 10 year old can be practicing 20  min./day.  The more advanced a student gets, the more time they will need to spend on practice, and it is not uncommon for older/advanced students to play 30 min to hours a day. I will have incentives for students who meet their practice goals and/or go above and beyond what I ask (ie memorize songs, write in the counting, etc.).

It is imperative that parents take an active role in helping their children achieve their goals. Parents should give positive daily support, and students should have fun and enjoy the piano!

Tuition
Tuition payment is due the first lesson of the month and remains the same regardless of the number of lessons actually attended.  You may make checks out to Celia Brasfield or pay in cash if you prefer. I charge $60/mo. for 30 min. lessons once a week,  $85/mo. for 45 min. lessons, or $110/mo. for an hour. 45 min. lessons are suggested for intermediate and advanced students.  As with dance lessons or a soccer league, you will not receive any refund for lessons missed that month. Make up lessons may be scheduled in advance and are subject to availability.

Recitals
Performance opportunities are very important for goal setting and a sense of accomplishment. I strongly encourage siblings and friends of the students to attend as well as the parents. We have 2-3 themed recitals throughout the year. I like children to play songs that are meaningful and exciting to them within the theme given; because not all music is available in beginning or intermediate levels, I often arrange a chosen piece to fit their level if possible. Examples of past recital themes are Classical, Show tunes, and Christmas music, Halloween music, etc..

Lesson Materials
Lesson materials and prices are not included in monthly tuition. I will let you know what books you will need to purchase and where you can purchase them. Students younger than 7 will usually use Music for Little Mozarts series. Beginning and Intermediate students ages 7 to 12 will usually use Piano Adventures by Faber and Faber, and older students will either use Faber's Accelerated Piano Adventure series or Bastien's Older Beginner Piano Course in addition to repertoire pieces I assign. I may provide or require additional music and books based on the student's musical preferences and goals.