Monday Mailbag – Quick Easy Games to Start Off the Lesson
In reference to this post, one reader asks, “Do you have other ideas for the above listed categories that you put on popsicle sticks? What do you usually have ready to use?”
There are tons of possibilities, but I’ll just give you one example for each category:
1. Chords – Hold a Chord Spelling Bee!
2. Rhythmic Dictation – Not exactly dictation, but this Rhythm Chart is great for identifying and executing rhythms
3. Rhythm and Pulse – The Have a Heart activity is lots of fun!
4. Vocabulary – Play a version of Musical Hangman!
5. Melodic Dictation – This magnet activity is great for younger students!
6. Sight-read – Use one of the sheets from the Across the C’s series
7. Play A Game – The Dice Game is a favorite with my students!
8. Written Theory – Do a fun Scale Match-Up Worksheet!
9. Description – Have the student fill out a Piece Description Worksheet
10. Scales/Intervals By Ear – Play Interval Bingo
11. Scale Patterns – A key signature game is a great way to reinforce scale orders and such
12. Intervals – Play the Mystery Note Game
13. Note ID – Play Whack-It!
Hopefully this will give you some ideas to get the creative juices flowing! You can make almost anything into a fun activity or game if you approach it from a creative perspective and think of what your students will enjoy!
Remember, if you have a question you’d like to contribute to next week’s Monday Mailbag, leave it in the comments below or send me an e-mail sometime this week with Monday Mailbag in the subject line!
Natalie- YOU ROCK!!
You have so many fabulous ideas! I want to pass them on by including some in our local music chapter’s newsletter which I am in charge of so more people can visit your site & enjoy the wealth of ideas you have here. Thanks for sharing!
Hi Natalie! I love your blog–thank you for all your insight!
I left a comment a few weeks ago on your Monday Mailbag, but I wasn’t sure if you got it because every time I look at it, it says “awaiting moderation.” Anyways, so I thought I’d ask again for a future mailbag. I would love to hear any feedback you can give me. After looking through your blog, it seems to appear that you write out your scales, chords, and arpeggios for your students. Why do you do this versus using a book? And, if I would prefer to have a book that already has scales, chords, and arpeggios written out for me, do you know of any such high quality book? I was looking at “The Complete Book of Scales, Chords, Arpeggios and Cadences” by Alfred, but there are a few things I dislike about it.
Thanks and keep it up!
You all are so encouraging! Thanks!
Lauren~
So sorry about that! I did receive your question and just moved it into my Monday Mailbag questions folder to answer and never actually approved it on the site. Oops! I’ve got your question in the line-up, and I’m down to just two ahead of it now!
BTW…I’m enjoying perusing your blog!
~Natalie
These are all really great ideas! I’m planning on starting my own studio after college, and I think your website is one of the most valuable resources available. Kudos!