When you’re ready to teach flats in music, there are a lot of fun tricks and approaches you can use, and today I’m going to cover 4 ways you can do it.
I personally like to teach flats in music as early as possible.
As soon as my student has a good grasp of the white piano keys, I start introducing them to sharps and flats.
Then, of course, as the student progresses, they go from learning flats on the piano keys to flats in music and, finally, in key signatures.
Here are 4 ways I teach flats in music.
1. Teaching flats on the piano keys
The very first step to teach flats in music is teaching them on the instrument.
When I first explain flats to students, I like to tell them that some notes are special and have to “borrow” a name from their friend.
On the piano, these special notes are usually the black keys (which also have two names, but I tell them that later, when I introduce sharps).
When you hear or see that a note is “flat,” it means to “go down a half step/semitone” (this helps the student with musical direction).
The best (and funniest) way for a student to remember this is to think “What would you do if you sat on a flat ball? Go down!”
Older students can think of a flat tire.
Once a student understands the direction of flats, I start teaching them to identify flat keys on the piano.
They start with the white key then “make it flat” and go down a half step (semitone) to the next key (e.g. “Find a B. Now where is B-flat?”).
Usually for the first week or two, I have students find the white key and then the flat key.
Once they understand the association between those notes, then I remove the first step (white key) and have them find just the flatted key (e.g. “Find B-flat, E-flat, etc.”).
2. Teach flats in music
Once a student understands how flats work on the piano, it’s usually pretty easy to teach them flats in music.
All you have to do is now explain, “You know the flat we’ve been talking about? This is the flat symbol!”
If you have a student who can’t seem to be getting their flats correct, make sure they’re identifying the correct part of the symbol (looking at the loop, not the stick).
3. How to teach the order of flats
There are several ways to teach the order of flats to students–and a lot of it depends on how their mind works.
Some students do well at memorizing the order of sharps (F-C-G-D-A-E-B) and reversing it for flats (B-E-A-D-G-C-F).
Others (like me) just remember BEAD Greatest-Common-Factor.
One that my classmates loved in college was BEAD Greasy-Cheese-Fries.
Young students might appreciate BEAD Go-Catch-Fish.
If your student relies heavily on mnemonics, you can use Battle Ends And Down Goes Charles Father or Before Eating A Donut Get Coffee First.
Or, you can ask your student to come up with their own mnemonics for the order of flats (if they create it, they’ll likely remember it better!).
4. How to teach flat key signatures
I love teaching students how to identify flat key signatures.
They’re so easy!
First, you just have to memorize that one flat = F major.
From there, find the second-to-last flat, and you’ve got the major key signature.
For example:
- Flats B-E-A is the key of E-flat major
- Flats B-E-A-D-G is the key of D-flat major
Be sure your student knows to always say the flat, because B major isn’t the same as B-flat major!
A Flat Music Game to Teach Flats in Music
You know us–if we can make a game of a musical concept, we will!
Whatever level your student is at: whether they’re just learning flats on the piano keys, the music staff, or the key signatures, we have a music theory game for them to review and solidify their flats.
Immerse yourself in the serene and captivating world of Flamingo Flats, a unique music theory game that blends strategy, nature, and original melodies.
Set in a lush flamingo habitat with marshes and beach, this game is a captivating twist on the classic checkers game, inviting players of all ages to engage in a delightful symphony of strategy and music.
Flamingos go against shrimp to see who can get to the other side with the most pieces first.
What is Flamingo Flats Music Theory Game?
In Flamingo Flats, students will learn how to identify flats in music as they study the musical excerpts in order to move forward on the board.
Flamingo Flats can be played by any age student who needs to brush up on their flat identification.
This music theory game can be played in two different ways:
- Easy: students count the flats in the key signature
- Hard: students identify which notes in the musical excerpt are affected by the flat key signature
Here’s what you’ll get with the Flamingo Flats music game download:
- Flamingo Flats game in 2 sizes: US letter and A4
- Flamingo Flats game board
- 33 sight-reading cards in flat keys
- 4 flamingo game pieces
- 4 shrimp game pieces
- Flamingo Flats success poster
- Flamingo Flats activity sheet in 2 sizes: US Letter and A4
- Print release
- Bonus Flamingo Flats group game board in 2 sizes (18 x 24” and A3)
>>> Flamingo Flats is available for purchase here.
How to Play Flamingo Flats Music Theory Game
While this looks like a checkers game, the movement is slightly different but just as easy.
Students identify how many notes should be flat on the sight-reading cards and move forward accordingly (e.g. 2 notes flat = 2 moves, 4 notes flat = 4 moves).
The flamingo and shrimp game pieces can move forward, sideways, and backwards.
And, of course, can jump the opponent if desired.
Whoever can get all their game pieces to the other side first wins!
See how it’s played in the video!
- A complete breakdown of what you get in the music game download
- A step-by-step tutorial for how to play the game
- A few teaching tips and suggestions
Don’t see the video above? Watch How to Play Flamingo Flats on YouTube here.
Play Flamingo Flats in Group Lessons
There are 8 total game pieces (4 flamingos, 4 shrimp), so you can play Flamingo Flats with up to 8 players–it will just require a lot of teamwork!
Each team works together to move their game pieces across the board–and what’s fun and strategic is that they can move any of their team’s pieces!
We provide a bonus poster-sized game board option that you can bring to your local print shop and get a larger board for students to crowd around.
Flamingo Flats is easily played with 2 students or 8.
Flamingo Flats Music Game Success Poster
We believe celebrating music theory game wins with a success poster will build student rapport!
The students have a goal to work toward (taking a picture with the success poster) and you can send the picture to the parents as a way to showcase what their child has achieved during lessons.
It’s a win-win!
These also give you great material for social media posts (be sure to tag @musicgameclub so we can celebrate with your students!).
Flamingo Flats Music Theory Activity Sheet
Once the student has completed Flamingo Flats music theory game, you can further help them solidify their music theory knowledge with the activity sheet.
Students will trace then draw their own flats for three key signatures: F, B-flat, and E-flat.
This is a great send-home activity to reinforce the theory concepts after your students have played the game.
Want Flamingo Flats music game to help teach flats in music?
Flamingo Flats was Music Game Club’s September 2023 membership music theory game. Anyone can now get Flamingo Flats in the shop here.
Want to know more about Music Game Club membership?
You’ll always receive:
- A monthly music game (formatted in 2 sizes: US Letter and A4)
- Exclusive Music Game Club membership emails
- Video tutorials
- Themed success posters to go with the monthly game
- Bonus activity review sheet
The membership is only $15/month and you did read all of the above correctly.
You’ll receive a wealth of resources that can elevate your teaching experience and keep student morale high all year.
You’ll maintain the energy and enthusiasm throughout the entire year, ensuring a consistent and engaging experience.
Your students will start asking for their new game each month and be excited to learn new music theory concepts!
What are your favorite methods in teaching flats to music students?
Comment and share your best tips!
Need another game that goes above and beyond Flamingo Flats?
If your students have already mastered their flats and are ready for more, check out Froggy Fifths, our Circle of Fifths game that teaches all the sharps and flats in the Circle of Fifths.
Read How to Easily Teach the Circle of Fifths with Froggy Fifths here.
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