Pick an Apple – Twinkle Activity
We are all social distancing since COVID-19 is here. That means extra time to practice. So here’s a game for beginners called “pick an Apple.” It is an activity that reinforces Twinkle. Right now there is no soccer practice, or play dates, or even preschool happening. While elementary and above are getting activities to do at home. Preschoolers don’t have work to do at home. In order to help parents take advantage of this time, I’ve created some resources to help them to solidify all the skills we use in Twinkle. Build in more receptions and keep their interest by creating different activities using the same skills. This activity is to help kids make sure they know where letters are on the fingerboard.
Students will play the note that is on the apple the is shown on each screen. On the right side of the screen a Twinkle rhythm will appear. The students should play the Twinkle pattern with the note shown. All these notes are in the A-Scale, A4-A5. There is no background music since student create their own soundtrack.
If parents need some help knowing where the notes are located on the fingerboard, here is a cheat sheet showing the A scale notes. Practice partners can see what finger plays each note and what string it is on.
Let’s say parents would rather not use a screen during practice. Or a screen wasn’t available for a practice session. Here is a worksheet where parents can point to a letter and tell the student a Twinkle Pattern to play.
Another option for the parent to print or write each Twinkle Pattern on a card. The student can choose a card and play the pattern chosen on the apple/letter where the parent points.
Today I got some feedback from some parents that these different activities and songs are keeping kids engaged and loving to practice. All good things for parents of young kids who are trying to help their kids learn an instrument and have fun all at the same time.
