Unit A01 – Notes and the Stave

In this unit students will learn:

  • the musical alphabet
  • their finger numbers
  • about the stave, and treble and bass clefs
  • the notes middle C – G in the treble clef
  • the notes F – middle C in the bass clef

Flash Cards

Finger Number Flash Cards

A set of free flash cards, each with a different finger number pattern on. Use this to help your students develop independence of the fingers.

The following flash cards are available to purchase through our Payhip store.

Stage A – D Note Flash Cards 

Note flash cards including:

  • All notes within the treble and bass clef staves
  • Notes up to and including two ledger lines above and below the treble and bass clef staves.

Use which ever notes you need for the individual pupil. You may find it helpful to colour code them by using different coloured card for the notes that belong to different levels.

Activities

  • Tap finger patterns on the piano lid or table. Call out the finger patterns or use finger number flash cards (above).  These finger patterns could relate to a piece you are going to use.
  • Play all keys of a specific letter. For example, ask your students to play all the Cs on the piano. For an extension, you could add pitch, dynamics, or articulation!
  • Identify and/or highlight notes in their pieces. This could be every note, one specific letter (the new note they have learned). You can do this in pen/pencil, by circling notes in different letters (colour coding works well). You could use indexing tabs or erasable highlighter pens. If you are concerned about using pen on a book then try photocopying the page.
  • Drawing notes on a whiteboard. Students draw a note you ask for, or identify notes you have drawn. Switch things around by getting the students to ask you to draw a note and to mark your work! (here is a music whiteboard this one, or you could use manuscript paper. Tie this in with new notes the student needs for their current or next piece.
  • Flashnote Derby iPad game (paid app). Select two or more notes for students to identify.
  • Composition. In the early lessons this could be a sound story where students make up a story and use the piano to narrate it. Later on you can use a composition worksheet, like this one from Roo Records. The example includes quaver groups which you can use as a teaching point if appropriate. Use these in conjunction with our note flash cards (above), or Stage A rhythm flash cards to secure particular rhythms or notes.

Vibrant Music Teachers

  • Finger Twister, Tippy Taps, and Wiggles and Waggles all help to reinforce finger numbers and connect number with action.
  • Keyboard Builder gives students the chance to display their knowledge of the pattern of black keys on the piano. Piano Builder is a slightly more challenging version of this game.
  • Lions, Tigers, and Bears can help to reinforce the link between the staff, the letter, and the piano key. Make sure you select the appropriate cards for the stage!
  • Jungle Jump tests knowledge of Stage A letter names (middle C position).

Study for Five

  • Finger numbers are tested in Finger Painting, Ant Climb, and Nails & Jems (all Piano Theory Funtime pack).
  • There is a group of games in the Flashcard Fun (Notes) pack that allow you to select the notes you play with – perfect for quick games at any level.

Worksheets
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Stage A Symbols and The Stave

  • Basics of the stave
  • Symbols learned at this stage

Note worksheets:

External worksheets

Enjoy Piano have made two sets of worksheets available as free downloads from their website. Click the links below to visit the relevant blog posts.

Bass Clef (Stage A Notes)
Treble Clef (Stage A Notes)