Game Ideas

Fix the Order

Uses: Intervals, the position of clefs, notes and rests, Card Charts, dynamics notes on the staff, tempos, scales and key signatures

Click here to see Fix the Order with Notes and Rests on YouTube.

Fine

Uses: Intervals, the position of clefs, notes and rests, Card Charts, dynamics notes on the staff, tempos, scales and key signatures, order of sharps or flats

Click here to read an explanation for "Fine" on this site or see Fine with Dynamics on YouTube.

Snake

Uses: Intervals, reading rhythms, notes and rests, dynamics notes on the staff, tempos, scales and key signatures

Click here to see ABC Snake! on YouTube.

Play or Pass

Uses: Notes and rests, Card Charts, dynamics notes on the staff, tempos, key signatures

Students take turns around the circle fixing one thing. Switching two cards is two things, so a card is place on top of another and someone else can move it on their turn. A student says "Pass" if he or she doesn't see anything to fix or thinks everything is correct. Once everyone says "Pass" around the circle, the game is complete. Group focus is excellent for this game.

Chance Match

Uses: Notes and rests, Card Charts, notes on the staff, tempos, scales and key signatures

Easiest version: One row of cards is placed in order. The second row is dealt out randomly. Any matches are marked with magic notes. Unmatched cards from second row are picked up and randomly dealt again. Repeat until all cards match. Want trickier? Deal both rows randomly.

Click here to see Chance Match with Rhythm Playing Cards on YouTube.

Five Hiding

Uses: Notes and rests, quarter note values, notes on the staff, tempos, key signatures

Click here to see How to Play Five Hiding on YouTube.

War

Uses: Intervals, notes and rests, Card Charts, notes on the staff, musical symbols, tempos, key signatures

Click here to see War with rhythm playing cards or Alphabet War in Denmark on YouTube.

#ff0000(MMG page 56)

Scrabble

Uses: Intervals, notes and rests, notes on the staff, dynamics, tempos, triads and chords, key signatures

Three new rules will improve the game: 1) No block of four cards together, 2) No cards of the same color together, 3) No more than six cards in a row. These rules are fun and help students to think backwards more easily. Game is best explained and played in silence.

Click here to see Alphabet Scrabble on YouTube. (MMG page 56)

Speed (Slow)

Uses: Intervals, notes and rests, notes on the staff, tempos, scales and key signatures

Click here to see Speed! with Notes and Rests on YouTube.

"Slow" is a slow version of "Speed" so younger students can play this fun game. Students are dealt three cards instead of five and turns are taken to discard cards into the two center piles. If a student can't play, he says, "Pass" and the other student can play. If both say "Pass", one card from each side is turned onto the discard piles.

Suspense

Uses: Notes and rests, notes on the staff, tempos, scales and key signatures

Click here to read an explanation for Suspense. Click here to see a brief video of Suspense With a Scale or Suspense with Notes and Rests on YouTube.

(MMG page 309)

21 (new game)

Uses: Notes and rests, notes on the staff, tempos, key signatures

In brief: A point system is established for the cards (i.e. notes and rests use the magic note system). Students are dealt two cards. The points in their hand may not go above 21 points. On each round, students may receive one card or decline. Game ends when no one wants more cards. Student closest to 21, but not over, wins.

Solitaire

Uses: Intervals, notes and rests, notes on the staff, key signatures

Check out the online version of Rhythm Solitaire on this website to learn the game.