Music Games

Some games we play during lessons are my own ideas, or games inspired by student interest, while others are sourced from fantastic websites like teachpianotoday.com.

Here are a few of my own games which are a huge hit with my students:

Just like Twister! This game is great for beginners, as learning finger numbers can be tricky at first! The teacher spins the wheel and the student puts the correct finger on the indicated colour. For my youngest students we play one finger at a time. Older beginners like to see how many fingers they can add before they get too tangled to continue.

The Eraser Game

This game is very popular with my students! Ask your student to choose an eraser for themselves and one for you, if they win the game they get to keep theirs! Start both erasers on the lowest key and tell your student which note they should move to: “move to the next d,” or using the Grandma’s House tool: “go walk the dog.” Next, the student gets to tell you which key to move to, always moving to the next key and not jumping octaves. The students learn very quickly that they can keep themselves in the lead by always telling you to move to keys behind their own. Make sure your student names the key you are to move to, and not just pointing to it. This sneaky game has the student learning twice, while allowing them to believe they’re pulling one over on you! Giggles galore! This game can be adapted for interval practice!

Ice Cream Stacker

This game is another fun way for your students to have keyboard practice. Each Ice-cream flavour has a different note starred. The student can choose which flavour they want next on their cone, and then has to tell you which note it is before they can add to their stack. I have two cones and 2 sets of 6 flavours so the students can compete with me or a sibling during back to back lessons. Don’t forget to use the Grandma’s House tool to help your students with their keyboard literacy. After they stack their ice-cream cone make sure you tell them to eat it up! Clean up is more fun that way!

Music Memory

Your classic memory game, with a musical twist! I have pairs of all of the musical letter names, finger numbers 1-5, quarter notes, half notes and whole notes. After an exciting game matching the pairs, each player has to explain what is in their winning pile: I prompt “what does the number two mean?” and the student shows me their 2 finger. I tell the student to show me the highest D on the piano. I ask “what is that note called and how many beats does it get?”

This game can be adapted to match different kinds of complementary pairs: ie numbers with notes (4 matches with whole note etc), finger numbers matching with 5 notes in the C position etc.

Sometimes my students inspire new games. This one was a request. I adapted Tic Tac Toe and use flashcards (these are from a free download from Lessonface.com.) For beginning students I use only the notes in the 5 finger scale of the key they are working on. More advanced students can use the whole set. The student has to identify the note given before drawing their X or O. I make my students identify my notes too. Try swapping out your X’s and O’s with musical symbols! More learning and more fun!

Magnetic Staff

I saw a game like this on a Facebook post and decided to create my own. Divide a set of rock magnets into two piles and take turns with your student placing your rock magnets on the staff. Using staff mnemonics name each line or space you place your magnet on. If your magnet connects to others you have to add them to your pile. If your magnet repels other magnets into each other, you have to take those magnets as well. The goal is to be the first to use up all of your magnets, and to learn the staff of course!