Switching Games from Rhythm Math to Note Names and Do Re Mi

Many Music Mind Games games can be adapted for other study areas. Recently two of my students and their moms played Game 18-8: Suspense - Rhythm (page 309 of Music Mind Games) using grand staff cards in place of rhythm playing cards. Since these girls are strong readers and know their notes well, they decided to also identify each card with the do re mi name as well as the letter name. We chose the G major scale and using "moveable do", G was do, A was re, B was mi and so on. We also used the terms "tonic, subdominant and dominant" to identify do, fa and so notes. We found ourselves really thinking as we moved through all the octaves of the grand staff. Scoring was one magic note for do, two for re, and so on which related to the steps of the scale. We had such fun expanding our minds. See a short video of this game.

This game also works well for string students to identify open strings. Use two sets of grand staff cards, e.g. blue for violinists and green for cellists. Play game normally with the goal is to get open string note cards. Scoring is 0 magic note for open strings, 1 for first finger notes and so on. Thanks to Music Mind Games teacher, Sue Bakshi in Philadelphia for this great idea.