About Karen Lien
Posts by Karen Lien:
- Camp
- Dalcroze Eurhythmics
- Ensemble
- Favorite Teaching Tools
- Focus Activities
- Holiday
- Improvisation
- Inspiring Videos
- Lesson Plan
- Practice
- Reading
- Sound Shape
- Technique
- Theory

NFMC Music Theory Level 2 Video Part 2
NFMC Festival is almost here! Are you ready to brush up on your theory skills?
Check out part 2 of Level 2 theory here. You will learn
- Treble Clef Notes Recognitions
- 2nd and 3rds

NFMC Music Theory Level 2 Video Part 1
NFMC Festival is almost here! Are you ready to brush up on your theory skills?
Check out part 1 of Level 2 theory here. You will learn
- Note Values
- C Major Scale
- Time Signature and Counting
- # and b


The Music Training I Wish I Had When I Was a Child Part 3
Dalcroze Eurhythmics, Favorite Teaching Tools, Inspiring Videos Dalcroze 0
“Pure Joy” is what I experience in Dalcroze Eurhythmics lesson.
I feel like a kid again when I am in the Eurhythmics classroom. Many students dread learning advanced music concepts such as mixed meter, syncopation, polyrhythms. In Eurhythmics, learning complicated music concepts is no longer intimidating but fun! Eurhythmics invite students to learn in a creative and joyous environment.
I had my first Dalcroze lesson in college. After only one-hour session, I couldn’t help but asking myself: “Why didn’t I know about this earlier? I wish I learned music this way when I was a child!” The class, taught by Eurhythmics Master Teacher Dr. Frego, was MAGICAL. Abstract music concepts became EASY and I can SEE the beat through the body movement.
Video 3 Shifting Accents with Racquet Balls
Concepts: anacrusis, crusis, and metacrusis; time, space and energy, meters
This activity is great for
- both group and private lesson settings
- children and adults
Sample Lesson Plan:

We are very lucky to be granted access to 3 videos. These videos get us a sneak peek into the exclusive video contents that accompanies Dr. Marla and Dr. Frego’s book Meaningful Movement.
Missed Video 1 and Video 2?
You’ll find all the Lesson plans in the book Meaningful Movement – the ultimate guidebook to Dalcroze Eurhtymics.
Your Ultimate Guidebook to Dalcroze Eurhythmics
What’s in Meaningful Movement?
- 206 lessons from beginners to advanced
- 31 videos of live sessions
- 79 pieces of music literature categorized by genre
- Complete lesson plans with easy to read bullet points
- Outcome assessment plan
- Tailored to both Young students and Adults
- Great for both large classroom and individual lesson
Insider’s View – Dr. Frego talks about the book
- Focus Activities
- Purposeful Movement
- Rhythmic Solfège
- Improvisation
Where to find the book?
Learn More about Dalcroze Eurhythmics!

The Music Training I Wish I Had When I Was a Child Part 2
Dalcroze Eurhythmics, Favorite Teaching Tools, Inspiring Videos Dalcroze 0
I have a dream – a dream to bring Dalcroze Eurhythmics to every student’s piano lesson! In previous blog, I shared the story of how I was hooked the first time I experienced Dalcroze Eurhythmics and how I wished that every child could learn music this way.
Dalcroze Eurhythmics is the Music Training I wish I had when I was a child.
I am so excited to show a series of videos by Dr. Marla Butke and Dr. David Frego.
Video 2 Canon Overlapping and Continuous (Lesson plan #16, 25, 61, 94)
Instead of having a passive listening experience, the students build deeper listening skills by actively expressing the music in their movement.
This activity is great for
* group and private lesson settings
* children and adults of all ages
If you would like to see the lesson plan and detailed instruction, make sure to check out Dr. Marla and Dr. Frego’s book Meaningful Movement.
Listed below is a sample lesson plan
There are 3 more lesson plans for “Canon” that goes from beginner to advanced level. (Lesson plan #16,25,61, and 94)
You’ll find all the Lesson plans in the book Meaningful Movement.
Meaningful Movement – Your Ultimate Guidebook to Dalcroze Eurhythmics
What’s in Meaningful Movement?
- 206 lessons from beginners to advanced
- 31 videos of live sessions
- 79 pieces of music literature categorized by genre
- Complete lesson plans with easy to read bullet points
- Outcome assessment plan
- Tailored to both Young students and Adults
- Great for both large classroom and individual lesson
Insider’s View – Dr. Frego talks about the book
- Focus activities
- Purposeful Movement
- Rhythmic Solfège
- Improvisation
We are very lucky to be granted access to 3 videos. These videos get us a sneak peek into the exclusive video contents that accompanies Dr. Marla and Dr. Frego’s book Meaningful Movement.
Where to get the book
Learn More about Dalcroze Eurhythmics!
Stay tuned for video #3
Video 3 will open next Monday (May 28)!
We are very lucky to be granted access to 3 videos. These videos give us a sneak peek into the exclusive video contents that accompanies Dr. Marla and Dr. Frego’s book Meaningful Movement. Many thanks to Dr. Marla Butke and Dr. David Frego for sharing the videos and lesson plans with You LOVE Piano readers!
While you wait for video 3, come check out how I apply Dalcroze Eurhythmics in the private lesson!
My students LOVE the Focus activities! They are short, fun and spontaneous. Click to see my TOP Teaching Tools.

One Minute Club
What is “One Minute Club”?
Why “One Minute Club”?
Prep Activities
Level 1 Activities
Level Chart








10 Levels
-
Level 1 – (5) 3 Landmarks (Middle C, Treble G, Bass F) + E above Middle C + A below Middle C
-
Level 2 – (7 ) 4 Landmarks (Middle C(LH/RH), Treble G, Bass F), DEF above Middle C
-
Level 3- (10) 4 Landmarks (Middle C(LH/RH), Treble G, Bass F), DEF above Middle C, BAG below Middle C
-
Level 4 – (8) All 8 Landmarks: Low C, Bass C, Bass F, Middle C (LH/RH), Treble G, Treble C, High C
-
Level 5- (20) Level 3+4 + Bass D, E, AB above Treble G, DE above Treble C
-
Level 6 – (12) Grand staff space notes
-
Level 7 – (12) Grand staff line notes
-
Level 8 – (24) All grand staff notes (levels 6 and 7 combined)
-
Level 9 – (12) Ledger line notes (Two ledgers: Low CDE, Middle GAB and DEF, High ABC) P.S. Choice of ledgers is those that are available in the flashcards set I use. Low C is the lowest and High C is the highest.
-
Level 10 – (36) Grand staff + All Level 9 ledger lines

The Music Training I Wish I Had When I was a Child
Dalcroze Eurhythmics, Favorite Teaching Tools, Focus Activities Dalcroze 0
I was hooked the first time I experienced Dalcroze Eurhythmics.
My very first Dalcroze class was in college. At that time, I had no idea what Dalcroze Eurhythmics was. I entered the classroom not knowing what to expect. However, after the one-hour session, I was hooked.
I couldn’t help but asking myself: “Why didn’t I know this earlier? I wish I learned music this way when I was a child!”
The class, taught by Eurhythmics Master Teacher Dr. Frego, was MAGICAL. I remember the smiles on everyone’s faces. Abstract music concepts became EASY as we stepped and moved to the music. What amazes me is that I can not only feel the beat, but SEE the beat through the body movement.
I wish that every child could learn music this way. It is just that good.
If you are wondering what Dalcroze Eurhythmics is, what better way to experience it than watching the master teachers in action?
I am so excited to share a series of videos by Dr. Marla Butke and Dr. David Frego.
Video 1 “Walking Bass/Clapping Treble”
Concepts: Steady beat, pitch range recognition, durations, quick reactions
Instead of filling out boring music theory worksheets, the kids internalize these music concepts in a musical and engaging way.
This activity is great for
*both group and private lesson settings
*children and adults
If you would like to see the lesson plan and detailed instruction, make sure to check out Dr. Marla and Dr. Frego’s book Meaningful Movement.
Here is a sample lesson plan
There are 3 more lesson plans for “Walking Bass/Clapping Treble” that goes from beginner to advanced level. ( lesson plan #38, #42, 68, and #99 )
You’ll find all the Lesson plans in the book Meaningful Movement.
Your Ultimate Guidebook to Dalcroze Eurhythmics
What’s in Meaningful Movement?
-
206 lessons from beginners to advanced
-
31 videos of live sessions
-
79 pieces of music literature categorized by genre
-
Complete lesson plans with easy to read bullet points
-
Outcome assessment plan
- Tailored to both Young students and Adults
- Great for both large classroom and individual lesson
Insider’s View – Dr. Frego talks about the book
- Focus Activities
- Purposeful Movement
- Rhythmic Solfège
- Improvisation
Where to find the book?
Learn More about Dalcroze Eurhythmics!
Stay tuned for video #2
While you wait for video 2, come check out how I apply Dalcroze Eurhythmics in the private lesson!
My students LOVE the Focus activities! They are short, fun and spontaneous. Click to see my TOP Teaching Tools.

How I Number Music Staff and Why
Favorite Teaching Tools, Reading, Theory Landmark notes, Staff 0
Every month, I share one of my favorite teaching tools and books. This month we will focus on landmark notes and E-Z Notes Magnetic Music Staff.
In this 3-minute video, you’ll see how I use the Music Staff to explain the landmark notes and how I number the staff.
Are you interested in learning more about my favorite teaching tools? Don’t forget to check out Paul Sheftel’s Modules and my Visual Rhythm Pocket Chart.
Make sure to leave a comment. I’d love to hear how you plan to use it at home or in your studio.

Visual Rhythm Pocket Chart for Mary Had a Little Lamb
Favorite Teaching Tools Preschool Music, Rhythm 0
Every month, I share one of my favorite teaching tools and books. In January, it was Paul Sheftel’s Modules – an award-winning book with clever and fun pieces that bring music theory to life.
This month, I combined 3 of my favorites into 1 package for you. My students have so much fun learning rhythm visually and kinesthetically AND they love the opportunity to be a conductor. Are you ready for my 3-in-1?
- Visual Rhythm Pocket Chart
- Conductor Baton
- Air-tapping Rhythm
Click and watch this 1-minute video. In only 1-minute, you will see how I use these tools for students to learn the song “Mary Had a Little Lamb.” It’s perfect for group, too. Some students can play the song on piano, some singing, some chanting while some do air-tapping.




