How to Turn QR Codes into Great Gifts for Piano Students
Instead of purchasing a Christmas gift for my students, I buy craft supplies and have them make a gift for their parents. The crafted yet customizable gift includes a QR code.
I first learned about the efficiency of QR codes (invented in 1994) when I included them in my book, The iPad Piano Studio, published in 2013. Since the pandemic, QR codes have been the standard way for our smartphones to hook us up with websites and restaurant menus.
So why add a QR code to a student holiday craft?
It’s because I habitually record students’ pieces before upcoming recitals on Bella, my Yamaha C6 grand. It’s an honor and a treat for students to play on Bella. They turn on the practice jets to earn the privilege. Sometimes, those videos are a tad bit better than the actual recital performance, and typically Bella is the better piano over the one at the recital.
The type of craft varies from year to year, and this year, I pulled from the archives—glass ornaments stuffed with shredded music. I stumbled across this idea back in 2012. Many of my piano students had not been born yet! Sigh…
I attempted to keep supplies stocked and organized over the two weeks. The floor of my studio needs a good vacuuming!
Required Supplies
To make the ornaments, you will need the following supplies
Glass or plastic ornaments (I got mine from Hobby Lobby).
Paint markers for drawing on ornaments. I have black, gold, silver, red, green.
Thin ribbon or string to tie to the top of the ornament so it can hang on the tree.
Holiday stickers to place on ornaments.
Small glitter balls or other items that can fit through the top of the ornament.
Unwanted music books, preferably yellowed from old age.
A paper shredder or a good friend who owns a shredder. You'll need to shred about 20 pages. It feels weird shredding print music, but....isn't there at least one book on your shelf that could be used for a noble purpose such as this?
Small, clear plastic bags and ties.
Ribbons that curl in assorted holiday colors.
Gift tags with a music theme—similar to my black 8th note tags shown below.
QR code generator like Canva or QRcodeMonkey.
Youtube Channel.
Camera to record videos.
How to Create the QR Code
If you do not have a YouTube Channel, you will need one. Learn how here. Here are my steps to connect student videos to a QR code.
Create a Christmas 2023 Playlist on my YouTube channel.
Record video of student performance on iPhone.
Upload the video to YouTube.
Title it with the name of the performer and piece and composer or arranger.
Add video to the Christmas 2023 playlist.
Arrange the playlist in alphabetical order.
Create a YouTube thumbnail for the playlist in Canva.
Add the thumbnail to the first video in the playlist.
Copy the link to the playlist.
Open Canva and find the QR code app.
Enter the link to the playlist.
Generate a QR code and download it as a PNG.
Open Avery 22805 template and add the QR code PNG to the labels template.
Download the document as a PDF and print on Avery labels.
how to Assemble
Because I offer Off-Bench time, I have the luxury of allowing students to complete this project during lessons. Typically, I have two students in the studio, so while I record one student playing their recital piece upstairs on Bella, the other is completing these tasks and listening to holiday music of The Piano Guys. Learn more about Off-Bench time here.
I spread the project over two weeks to guarantee they finish in time.
Week One
Stuff some shredded music in the globe.
Decorate the outside of the ornament with paint markers and stickers.
Assemble the ornament.
Tie a ribbon to the top of the ornament so it can be hung on a tree.
Week Two
Toss a small handful of shredded music into a clear plastic bag.
Place the decorated ornament in the bag.
Punch a hole in the gift tag.
Cut the QR code sticker to the tag size if needed.
Adhere the sticker to the tag.
Loop the tag into a twist tie and cinch the bag closed.
Cut ribbon.
Curl ribbon.
Tie on to gift bag.
Take home to parents.
Final Tips
Students liked filling their globe with the shredded music, rolling the music strips into balls, and stuffing ribbons into the globe. I loved how they came up with ideas I hadn’t thought of!
I was taken by complete surprise that during this project, I not only taught how to prep for a recital but also taught many how to curl a ribbon with scissors. Students loved learning that new skill and couldn’t stop curling. (See middle photo.) One student was a pro at curling and taught me some clever tricks. (See photo on the left.)
If this looks like a doable project to you, I can’t wait to hear how it goes! Please stay in touch.
If this project looks intimidating, consider joining Space to Create, where you can explore your composition and arranging skills on the bench and expand your tech skills in YouTube, Canva, and Noteflight.
Happy Holidays to you and your students!