Listening guides are like a collector’s item in my studio. My file drawers hold no less than six different forms obtained from other wonderful teaching sites over the years. Unfortunately, none of them have quite hit it spot on for me, so I finally came up with my own.
This listening guide uses small visual cues and descriptors and is wonderful to use for student performances during group class to keep students engaged in listening to the music (and performance) actively.
My recommendation would be to go over the sheet first as a class and even do some demonstrations. With younger students, I even like to have them pronounce the words together to make sure they feel comfortable with the terms.
Laminating the sheets will keep them in good shape for repeated use. Sometimes we use dry-erase markers, but I prefer to simply have students use game markers such as pennies, Japanese erasers, or clear flat marble/pebbles like my students are using in this photo.
Note: I don’t necessarily expect students to write down answers to the question of “Mood,” etc. They can simply be prepared with a verbal answer.
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Update
P.S. This visual guide was originally designed in Microsoft Publisher. The version you see in this post is an updated version designed in Canva and updated in this post on 4/24/2025.
8 Responses
Love this! I really like the design and the idea of using sheet protectors with little game markers for each area. Thanks for sharing it, Amy!
Glad to hear you like it!
I’m having group lessons in preparation for our recital this week, and this is the perfect activity to use while they perform for each other. Thank you so much!
Great! You’re welcome!
Hi Amy,
I love your beautiful Listening Guide! I tried to download it from my phone, but now I don’t know where it is. I tried again from my laptop and it’s telling me that the pdf is in your trash…? Maybe I tried to receive it too many times? Anyway, let me know if there’s a way I can receive this nifty freebie!
Warmly, Mindy S
Hi, Mindy. Yes, I sent out the original email update which is where you downloaded it from. After that, someone let me know there was a typo so I fixed it and sent out the updated version. You were then trying to redownload the first one which was no longer there. Sorry I could have fixed that link in a better way that wouldn’t have done that to you. I did email it through to you just now again. Sorry about that!
I just realized this post also had the wrong download link but it is also now fixed!
Love this music listening guide!
Wonderful – so glad you like it! 🙂