These teaching videos are for teachers’ reference as needed. They are also cross-listed in the appropriate Weekly Case Files.
This footage is taken from Piano Detectives Club classes at The Music Clubhouse in Lawrence, Kansas (the PDC’s founding studio). In the interest of transparency, we’ve been intentional about including real-life classroom moments, hiccups and all. Note: all featured students appear with parental permission.
Class #1
Class #1: What is a Detective?Class #1: The Musical Alphabet
Class #1: A Look at the Piano
Class #1: Big Keyboard Puzzle
Class #1: Each Student Works a Felt Keyboard Puzzle
Class #1: Right-Left Hand Introduction
Class #1: Introduce Quarter and Half Notes
Class #1: Repertoire – Clumsy Clyde
Class #1: Students Play Clumsy Clyde
Class #1: Worksheet – Giant Letters CDE
Class #1: Closing
Class #2
Class #2: Recognition of LettersClass #2: Wooden Keyboard Puzzle
Class #2: Repertoire – Three Bears Going Up
Class #2: Worksheet – Finding CDEs on the Keyboard
Class #2: The Hokey Pokey
Class #2: Hear Performances of Clumsy Clyde
Class #2: Finger Numbers
Class #3
Class #3: Review Repertoire – Clumsy ClydeClass #3: Repertoire – Three Bears Going Down
Class #3: CDE Mix-Up Cards
Class #3: Right-Left Review and Repertoire – Treasure Hunt
Class #3: Repertoire – Treasure Hunt
Class #3: Introducing FGAB at the Keyboard
Class #4
Class #4: Right-Left PracticeClass #4: CDE-FGAB Memory Game
Class #4: Repertoire – End of the Day
Class #4: Finger Number Review
Class #4: Felt Keyboard Puzzles
Class #4: FGAB Mix-Up Cards
Class #4: Show How to Name Individual Keys
Class #4: Wooden Keyboards
Class #5
Class #5: Worksheet – Yankee Doodle RhythmClass #5: Right-Left Practice and Finger Number Review
Class #5: Introduce Forte and Piano
Class #5: Add Signs for Forte and Piano to Review Pieces
Class #5: Alphabet Letter Squares and Cut-and-Paste Alphabet Going Up
Class #6
Class #6: Right and Left PracticeClass #6: Review Repertoire – Mary Had a Little Lamb
Class #6: Choose Between Two Rhythms
Class #6: Time Signature Preparation
Class #6: Repertoire – Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star
Class #6: Private Lessons – Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star
Class #6: Forte and Piano Matching Game
Class #7
Class #7: Introduce Dotted Half NotesClass #7: Box of Big Orange Rhythms
Class #7: Rhythm Sorting Cards, Beginner Set
Class #8
Class #8: Certificate PresentationClass #8: Treasure Hunt
Class #8: Working in Centers
Class #8: Box of Extra Activities (body movement to high and low)
Class #9
Class #9: Explanation of Centers and Centers in ActionClass #9: Magnifying Glass Letter Find
Class #9: Introduce Rhythm Math
Class #9: Felt Keyboard Puzzle
Class #9: Forte and Piano Matching
Class #9: Poster With Dashes
Class #9: CDE-FGAB Memory Game
Class #9: Rhythm Math
Class #9: Listening Activity
Class #10
Class #10: Demonstrate Center #1Class #10: Demonstrate Center #2
Class #10: Collecting Fingerprints
Class #10: Letter Chains using Small Letter Circles
Class #10: Race to the Top, Level 1 using Musical Alphabet Letters – Up Only
Class #10: Rhythm Math
Class #10: Private Lesson
Class #10: Performances
Class #11
Class #11: Piano/Forte PreparationClass #11: Key Name Colors and Letters
Class #11: Letter Chains using Small Letter Circles
Class #11: Race to the Top, Level 1
Class #11: Activities Book
Class #11: Private Lesson
Class #11: Rhythm
Class #12
Class #12: Demonstrate Center #2Class #12: Colorful Letter Blocks
Class #12: Tap and Say Hands
Class #12: Piano-Forte Cut-and-Paste
Class #12: Activities Book
Class #12: Private Lesson
Class #12: Performances
Class #13
Class #13: RhythmClass #13: Tap and Say Hands
Class #13: Build-a-Rhythm Game
Class #13: Private Lesson
Class #14
Class #14: Magnifying Glass Listening ActivityClass #14 Felt Keyboard Puzzles
Class #14: Build-a-Rhythm Game
Class #14: Letter Chains using Small Letter Circles
Class #14: Rhythm Sorting, Advanced Set
Class #14: Key Name Color Coding
Class #14: Private Lesson
Class #14: Extra Activity #1 (adapted)
Class #15
Class #15: Introducing 8va SignsClass #15: Prep Students for Center #1
Class #15: Mitten Match-Up
Class #15: Drawing Rhythms
Class #15: Tic-Tac-Toe using Right-Left Tap Cards
Class #15: Mystery Picture #1
Class #15: Extra Activity #2
Class #16
Class #17
Class #17: Autumn Leaves Practice ProjectClass #17: Ear Training and Preparing for Center 1
Class #17: Centers
Class #17: Private Lesson with Libby
Class #18
Class #18: Preparing for CentersClass #18: Centers
Class #19
Class #19: Go Search! Card GameClass #19: Private Lesson with Lorea
Class #19: Rhythm Challenge Using Four Beat Rhythm Cards
Class #20
Class #20: Ear Training – Hearing Melodic ShapesClass #20: Preparing for Centers
Class #20: Centers
Class #20: Private Lesson with Libby
Class #21
Class #21: Introduction of ThirdsClass #21: Preparing for Centers
Class #21: Centers
Class #21: Private Lesson with Kaleigh
Class #22
Class #22: Merrily We Roll AlongClass #22: Centers
Class #23
Class #23: Merit Badge Testing – Area 1 – TechniqueClass #23: Merit Badge Testing – Area 2 – Written Exam
Class #23: Merit Badge Testing – Follow Up
Class #23: Private Lesson with Ray
Class #23: Performance Practice
Class #24
Class #24: North Pole Practice ProjectClass #24: Merit Badge Testing – Student Performances
Class #24: Merit Badge Testing – Rhythm Challenge
Class #24: Hearing Melodic Shapes
Class #24: Merit Badge Testing – Centers with Parents
Class #25
Class #25: Introducing Time Signatures and a New Way of CountingClass #25: Centers
Class #25: Private Lesson with Nathan
Class #26
Class #26: Reviewing Time Signatures and the New Way of CountingClass #26: Centers
Class #26: Private Lesson with Ray
Class #26: Hearing the Difference Between 2nds and 3rds
Class #27
Class #27: Creating Measures within a Time SignatureClass #27: Center 1 – Comparing 2nds and 3rds
Class #27: Worksheet – Coloring 2nds and 3rds
Class #28
Class #28: Introduction of 4thsClass #28: Introducing Center 2
Class #28: Centers
Class #28: Private Lesson with Ray
Class #29
Class #29: Quick Recognition of 2nds and 4thsClass #29: Private Lesson with Kaleigh
Class #30
Class #30: Quick Recognition of 2nds and 4ths, Part 2Class #30: Center 1a – Comparing 2nds and 4ths
Class #30: Center 1b – Following Interval Directions 2nds, 3rds, and 4ths
Class #30: From Staff to Keyboard: 2nds, 3rds, and 4ths
Class #30: Go Search! Game
Class #30: Build-A-Rhythm Game
Class #31
Class #31: Introduction of 5thsClass #31: Interval Magnifying Glasses
Class #31: Private Lesson with Ray
Class #32
Class #32: Interval Flashcards and Lie-Down GameClass #32: Private Lesson with Kaleigh