Every piano teacher has this problem; a student fresh from school who has sat for 7 of the 8 past hours and now arrives at piano lesson BURSTING with energy. Or you may have a special student who is ALWAYS wiggly and really NEEDS to wiggle, and we WANT them to be able to wiggle if it is truly going to help them learn…What is a piano teacher to do? We can’t let their little feet kick the piano and sometimes the PINK BLOB solution isn’t enough.
I’ve been “Beta Testing” this teaching device in my studio for the past six months and it has passed the test, so I’m excited to show you my results!!!!!!!
Are you ready?!
The product is called a BOUNCY BAND and is used in classrooms across america. It’s easy to find on amazon, and there are two important pieces of information you need to know before purchasing or using this device.
FIRST, You MUST order the correct size in length which is in the link below or you’ll end up with a very short band designed for a child’s classroom chair AND
SECOND, you MUST wrap your piano bench legs in either weather stripping (which you can purchase at any home improvement store for around $5) to protect them from the plastic tube of the bouncy band OR you can do what I did and wrap the tube in plastic-foam shipping material. Scott from Bouncy Bands also let me know that they sell a specifically designed product that will protect the legs of the piano bench for an additional $6!
Originally designed for a child’s school desk, this band really works wonders and has helped immensely with focused attention in my studio with my piano students:
I know you will be worried about using this product. It’s hard to take the leap when you love your instrument! The product comes with handy instructions…
I was fine testing my bouncy band with my studio piano because it is a workhorse and i’m fine with it getting a few scratches in the name of research.
In the pictures below you can see what happened when I used the bouncy band without protective cloth or packing material verses protecting the legs. It did scratch along where the top of the tube is! You are WARNED! Please protect those piano bench legs!
Also, If you have a black piano, the black tube will blend in fantastically! I suggest wrapping your piano bench legs in a layer of bubble wrap, microfiber cloth or other soft packing material. You may start with bubble wrap if you have it on hand and then you will notice when you get a package that has a layer of foam sheet. The bubble wrap does make a bit of a squeak but the layer of foam sheet does not. You can also purchase these packing materials or the specifically designed product from bouncy bands as well if you want to start using your bouncy band right away!
You may WANT a blue tube so that parents will notice this new device and you can tell them how you are learning to be more special needs friendly! I hope in my heart that you do not dissuade any student from learning piano or violin-the most fulfilling teaching moments in my career have come from teaching my most special students!
My next step in making my studio more special needs friendly is purchasing another set of bouncy bands for the opposite side of my piano bench and a set of additional 8 inch pipes which are also available (for those students with shorter legs!) The bouncy band in the sizes below comes with a set of eight inch inch pipes. This way (after protecting the legs and stacking two eight inch pipes) I can simply turn the piano bench around for a younger student!
In my studio we have a simple rule…one foot must remain on the floor and no bouncy band if you’re using pedal! I don’t want anyone bouncing right off the bench! You know it has happened!!!!
Please note that there are TWO colors available, BLACK pipes and BLUE pipes. You can find all of them below as well as the 8 inch pipe and protective layer accessories! If you enjoy using this product please let me know in the comments! I work hard to create and find unique resources and solutions for Violin and Piano teachers and absolutely LOVE your feedback!
Thanks for reading my blog. I love to inspire and work with teachers to help them be creative and successful! If you’re interested in more ideas, please check out my book available on any device (computer, laptop, tablet, smartphone, ipad, iphone) from Amazon.com.60 Day Makeover: Music Teacher Edition
If you need some serious help/motivation, I also offer low cost consulting on weekday mornings, and you can find out more info about that here: https://violinjudy.com/joyful-noise-consulting/
Please note that all amazon links are affiliate links which means I receive a teeny tiny percentage of profits and use those to maintain this website. Thanks!