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Note Naming Games for Kids

Music should be an important part of every child's education, whether it is in the school setting or through private study after school. There are many ways to lay the foundation of basic music knowledge while having fun, and having fun is the best way to keep kids interested in learning about music. Learning the names of notes is a fundamental skill that will smooth the way for learning to play instruments or singing in a choir.
  1. Musical Staff Games

    • Take a large piece of poster board and trace a giant grand staff on it. Cut music note shapes out of black construction paper. Call out the name of a note and have the child correctly place the note on the staff; likewise, you can place the note on the staff and have the child name the note. You can also use a large piece of white felt, with black felt notes and Velcro for placing the notes. The felt staff may be easier to carry and store.

    Name That Tune

    • Using the giant staff, call out note names that form a song and have the children place notes correctly. Hum the notes together and see if they can guess what the song is. Cut out notes and write the note names on them, as well as words to a well known song and scramble the pieces. Divide the children into two teams and see who can correctly arrange the notes on the staff the fastest. Sing the song together at the end.

    Giant Staff Twister

    • Find brightly colored duct tape and lay out strips on the floor in the shape of a grand staff. Call out the name of notes and have the children stand on the correct line or space. Call out four note names and have them use both hands and feet, like the game "Twister." This can also be used to drill intervals.

    Keyboard Games

    • Although not every student will learn to play the piano, having a keyboard to visualize notes can be helpful. Make a giant piano keyboard out of poster board or white felt (one octave from C to C should be enough). Don't forget to use black poster board or felt for the black notes of the keyboard. Have the children stand on the notes as you call them out or place black felt notes on the right place. Split children into two teams and have one team on the keyboard and the other team on the grand staff and call out note names. Each team must find the correct note placement on the staff or keyboard. This ensures that they are making the connection that the notes on the keyboard are the same notes on the staff.

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