Beethoven As An Icebreaker?

Do you teach classes or small groups as a part of your studio or music center curriculum? I do. One of the toughest parts of my year is sizing up a newly assigned classes. My new classes contain students who have just joined the faculty mixed with a few whose teachers are no longer teaching for our program. They have typically studied for several years and may even be returning to piano after several years off. Two things need to happen within the first few weeks. I need to get a good grip on where they are in their learning and foster a kind learning environment where they feel safe, respected, and accountable to the group. 

This year I have a group of 7 students who are completely new to me. I was assigned this class with little time before our first online class. I have evaluations from last year to help but do not know the any of these young musicians or their families. So, I’ve decided to use one of my favorite activities, Just Ask Beethoven, as an icebreaker. In this game whoever is Beethoven asks another student a musical question. That student answers and becomes the Beethoven. The person being asked the question can ask for helpful hints which is where the kindness, safety and respect come into play. 

I’m going to make cards for categories and hold them up. I might even be silly and use random cardboard pieces and markers for this. I will probably start with some non-threatening categories such as musical terms, favorite music, trivia, and pieces they love to play.  Once we are more comfortable I will move on to elements like: rhythm, note names, chords, and scales. 

I chose Just Ask Beethoven because it is so flexible plus I’ll bet they’ve never played it before. I can change it up on the fly to fit the group. We can draw a note or rhythm and hold it up for all to see, play a scale or chord or maybe our favorite part of a song. We can hold up our books and have someone identify a note or musical term. If the class is shy at first then, instead of putting one student on the spot, our Beethoven can ask questions for anyone to answer. If one person monopolizes the answering process, then then we can rotate around the virtual room for answers. 

I want to immediately establish an environment in which it’s ok not to know so long as you learn from the situation and you use what you do know to help others. I want to do it by example, without a lot of written rules. Actually, I often learn more by the questions a Beethoven asks others than those they answer. If needed, I help frame a question so that the others understand. The kindness and respect I show them models the kindness and respect I expect them to show each other. 

Click the following video link to find out more about Just Ask Beethoven and 4 other super activities that work both online and in person.