Using Hobbies to Teach Music

Goal: Help music teachers connect with students by linking hobbies to music skills and concepts.

Outcomes:

  • Explain what a hobby is and why it matters.
  • Make connections between hobbies and music.
  • Use music vocabulary in context.
  • Present a hobby and tie it to a musical idea.

Materials: Images of instruments and common hobbies, whiteboard or slides, student devices or paper.

Lesson Structure

1) Warm-up: What’s a hobby?

  • Define "hobby” and share one of your own.
  • Brief chat: how hobbies support wellbeing and build skills, including musical ones.

Prompts

  • "Can you earn money from a hobby?”
  • "What do you do when you’re off the clock?”
  • List common hobbies and note careers that can grow from them (e.g., teacher, performer).

2) My Hobbies: quick presentation

Guessing game

  • Show 3–5 images tied to your hobbies. Let students guess each one.
  • Include at least one image of you playing or performing.

Vocabulary focus

  • Name and explain items and actions shown (score, strings, keys, tempo, phrasing).
  • Adjust depth by level: simple terms for beginners; theory and technique for advanced students.

3) Vocabulary and real-world links

  • Use images of instruments, music sheets, and accessories to spark conversation.
  • Discuss communication skills in music: ensemble teamwork, listening, cues, solo vs group roles.

Invite questions

  • Students ask about your hobbies and how they show up in teaching or performing.

4) Students’ Hobbies: interactive share-outs

Mini-presentations

  • Students bring a picture, drawing, or short clip of a hobby.
  • They describe actions, tools, or gear involved.

Connect to music

  • Link hobbies to musical ideas: rhythm in sports drills, breath control from swimming, patterning in coding or crafts, stage presence from drama.

5) Adapt and engage

  • Adjust timing and difficulty for age, class size, and ability.
  • Offer choices: speak, draw, record a short video, or write a short blurb.
  • Keep it upbeat and interactive to tap into what students care about.

Example tie-ins for music

Playing an instrument

  • Show photos of you at piano or guitar.
  • Highlight terms: notes, keys, strings, chords, scales, meter.
  • Explain how practicing your hobby improved your teaching and how you would discuss it in an interview.

Performing

  • Share an image from a show; mention stage setup, lighting, and audience interaction.
  • Stress communication and technical skills needed to succeed.

Assessment

  • Exit ticket: students write one connection between their hobby and a music concept.
  • Informal check during presentations for correct use of terms.

Extension / Homework

  • Create a one-page slide or handout linking a hobby to a specific musical skill (e.g., "basketball footwork and 4/4 rhythm”).
  • Optional: practice log where students note when a hobby helped with a music task that week.