Tips and Variations

Variation: Play the game as described above but rather than using a scale, use an interval sequence. For example:

• thirds - A C E G B D F. Thirds form triads.
• fifths - C G D A E B F. Fifths are useful since they show the order of flat or sharp scales (see the illustration to the right).

Tip #1: Place a cardboard keyboard with magic notes near the alphabet cards scale row to help students see the scale on a keyboard.

Tip #2: It's possible to make the scoring suspenseful, too. First players score their face up cards together using magic notes. Then one at a time, they turn over the face down grand staff cards to determine their final scores.

These are other Music Mind Games which can use a scale to determine points:

• Game 17-8: WAR WITH GRAND STAFF CARDS page 287 (The way the game is described in the book, the student who identifies his or her card the fastest wins both cards, but playing this way can be stressful. I now prefer the version described above which is similar to an idea suggested by a MMG teacher named Cindy Norton.)
• New game: FIVE HIDING WITH GRAND STAFF CARDS (description on how to play this game is coming soon!)
• New game: MEREDITH'S TOWER WITH GRAND STAFF CARDS (like 18-9: MEREDITH'S TOWER - page 310)