The Wheel of Doom 🎹 | A Fun Piano Lesson Game Students Love

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Written By Kay Lowry

If you’ve ever wished for a way to keep students engaged and excited during lessons, let me introduce you to the Wheel of Doom — a playful studio game that turns practice challenges into a fun adventure.

Inspired by @ryantrahan’s 50-state journey, the Wheel of Doom has quickly become a favorite activity in my studio.

How the Wheel of Doom Works

  • The “wheel” itself is an app on my iPad.

  • Each spin lands on a challenge that students must complete during their lesson. Playing upside down is just ONE of the many challenges on the wheel.

  • The challenges range from silly to skill-building — all designed to reinforce what we’re learning while keeping students smiling.

  • Students choose a piece they are familiar with to try to complete the “Wheel of Doom” Challenge!

  • I reward them for completing the challenge by giving them “composer bucks” (fake money that translates into prizes.)

Instead of dreading tricky spots, students look forward to spinning the wheel and conquering the challenge.

See The challenge in Action Here

Why Piano Lesson Games Work

Games like the Wheel of Doom help students:
✅ Stay motivated during lessons
✅ Learn to approach mistakes with a positive mindset
✅ Strengthen rhythm, memory, and focus
✅ Add laughter and joy to piano study

When students are having fun, they’re more likely to practice consistently at home and stay engaged long term.

More Ideas Inside The Piano Expedition

I love sharing creative teaching tools like this inside The Piano Expedition — my one-of-a-kind membership for piano teachers.

Here’s what makes it special:
🎹 Built for real, everyday piano teachers
🎹 Affordable and flexible for any studio
🎹 Easy-to-use monthly teaching guides (no endless video libraries)
🎹 Practical support + fresh creative ideas every month


Sign up for the Waitlist to get Creative Ideas

The Wheel of Doom is proof that even the simplest piano lesson games can transform the way students learn. By turning challenges into fun, we give kids a reason to laugh, play, and grow at the piano.

If you’re looking for more engaging ideas, structured support, and ready-to-use resources, check out The Piano Expedition. It’s designed to help you bring joy back to teaching while saving time and energy.

🎶 Try the Wheel of Doom in your studio — your students will thank you with smiles and stronger skills!

Sign up for The Piano Expedition info here
Kay Lowry
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