Scales & Key Signatures
The Scale Builder Game
Materials:
-Key Signature Chips Buy Now
-Circle of Fifths (Print out)
-Bingo Chips Buy Now
-DIY note cubes Buy Now
Play:
STEP 1: Place the key signature chips face down. To start the game, draw a chip and find the matching key signature on the circle of fifths.
STEP 2: Use bingo chips to mark the two scales that have that key signature. (One major scale and one minor scale).
STEP 3: Build those two scales with the note cubes, making sure to include the correct sharps or flats.
STEP 4: Play the scales!
Circle of Fifths
Circle of Fifths Puzzle Game
Print out a circle of fifths and cut it up! Mix up the pieces and students have to build it from scratch. This is a great way to test their knowledge of key signatures and relative minors!
For a modified version, leave some of the pieces intact. (Ex: Leave the minors attached to the key signature and just cut off the majors.)
Note Values & Rhythm
Copy the Song Rhythm Game
Materials:
-Rhythm Clock Buy Now
-Sheet music of your choice (in 4/4 time)
Play:
Find the pieces that match the note values in the first measure of your song. Put them together in a circle formation. Once you have built a full circle, the student sees that all four beats have been accounted for and that measure is full.
Continue building different measures for your music. By the end of the game, students understand note values, counting beats, and fractions!
Intervals
Interval Composing Game
Materials:
-Musical Staff (print out)
-Gems for notes
-Dice
-Coin
Play:
STEP 1: Place a starting note on the staff. (Use a gem)
STEP 2: Roll a dice for the interval:⠀
6= 6th⠀
5= 5th⠀
4= 4th⠀
3= 3rd⠀
2= 2nd ⠀
*1= 7th⠀
⠀
STEP 3: Flip the coin for the direction:
Heads =up⠀
Tails =down⠀
⠀
STEP 4: Fill up your staff with a variety of intervals and play the song! ⠀
⠀
Adapt level as needed! ⠀
Add major/minor intervals for advanced students. ⠀
Note identification
Place the Note Game
Materials:
-Magnetic musical staff with notes Buy Now
-Musical alphabet dice Buy Now
Play:
Roll the a musical alphabet dice.
Place that note on the staff. For advanced version, place that note in multiple octaves on the staff!
Music theory concepts are an important part of music education, but it doesn’t have to be boring! With a few colorful materials and a bit of creativity, students can learn while having fun!