#12 Every Piano Teacher Needs to Know this Japanese Warm-up Game

Looking for something engaging, fun, and packed with real musicianship skills to bring into your studio? 

This episode is a little different - and so much fun! 

Paul recently ran this traditional Japanese clapping game with a group of teachers at Top Music Live in Sydney, and the room had an absolute ball. In this episode, we walk you through the activity, unpack the pedagogy behind it, and then we show you the video of Paul leading the teachers so you can try it for yourself. 

You’re going to love it! 

It's called Omochio Tsukimasho - and the version Paul shares has been beautifully modernized for today's students.

This is one of those activities that works for every age group, every level, and every setting. 

Whether you're running a group class, a summer camp, an end-of-term lesson, or you just want to inject some energy and connection into your teaching week - this one delivers every time.

And the best part? It doesn't matter if anyone makes a mistake.

In this episode, you'll discover:

• Why this traditional Japanese clapping game is the perfect warm-up or ice-breaker for any age group
• How Paul establishes the beat without saying a word - and why that matters
• The simple layering approach that gets everyone engaged, laughing, and learning at the same time
• Why mistakes don't matter in this activity - and what that unlocks in your students
• How backing tracks teach the foundational musicianship skill that pays off at the piano afterwards
• Why this activity is perfect for end-of-term classes, summer camps, and group lessons

What to watch for in the video:

Before you watch, here are a few things to look out for:

Paul doesn't start with the music. He gets everyone feeling the beat first - and then teaches the words a little at a time, with the beat already underneath. 

Watch how he moves his body to place the beat and the whole room follows without even realizing they're learning.

Once the beat and words are locked in, he layers in the second part. That's where the fun really begins.

And notice how nobody stops when they make a mistake. They laugh, catch the beat, and keep going. That is such a freeing experience for students - and such a powerful way to build foundational music skills.

Resources

🎁 Free Download — Omochio Tsukimasho Movement Guide 

Everything you need to bring this activity into your studio. 

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🎵 Want the backing track Paul used? 

It's available inside The Studio — our program for private piano teachers. 

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🎧 Haven't listened to Episode 5 yet? 

This episode is a good one to revisit - all about using music to learn music, and it pairs beautifully with this activity. 

👉 Listen to Episo