I just had two ice cream parties this past week as part of my students’ incentive program.  Each student was allowed to bring a friend with whom to enjoy the ice cream party, play piano games, and to perform songs.

The piano game that I chose to play was the Skittles Game.  Both students each brought a friend who didn’t know anything about the piano.  To play the Skittles Game, it’s necessary to know the keys on the piano. 

This post is about how I quickly teach those keys so we can play the game.  I am amazed at how fast the kids pick them up!

This is in NO WAY my idea.  It has been taken and pieced together from forums and who knows where else.  But it works!

There are two houses on the piano.  The group of two black keys is the DOG HOUSE.  The group of three black keys is the PEOPLE HOUSE.

The DOG (for D) lives in the DOG HOUSE.  His enemy, the CAT (for C) lives next door.  On the other side, lives an ELEPHANT (for E).  We don’t know why an elephant lives there, but he’s there nonetheless.

At the PEOPLE HOUSE, there is a FRONT DOOR (for F) and a BACK DOOR (for B).  There is also a GARAGE (for G) and an ATTIC (for A).

I teach this over several lessons with beginners, but it works great for my students’ friends as well!  What are your tricks and tips?