Games and other Fun Stuff
Songs by Numbers
The following worksheets are meant to help students develop their knowledge of scales using only numbers. Educators can use ANY scale. I initially created these worksheets for "Game Days" where students would divide into groups and work together to solve the tunes. Here's a brief explanation each number correlates to a scale degree. In the key of C: 1 is "C", 2 is "D"....7 is "B" and 8 is high "C". Sometimes the tunes go above 8 and this is great for students because they learn that a scale can KEEP going. For example: 10 would be "E." Be creative! Use these however you like!
| songs_by_numbers.pdf |
Name that Tune (band game)
The following exercises are famous tunes that everybody knows. Many are featured in beginning band method books. There's a trick to these though...the songs are broken up and every instrument (arranged for the various transpositions and ranges) is divided into A and B. Both parts must be played correctly for the song to sound correct. I like to break students into pairs or groups and have them figure out the songs in an epic race to see who can finish first. You can also use this as a full class exercise. It REALLY helps young (anyone for that matter) students with counting. ENJOY!
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Urban Groove
Urban Groove is a fantastic way to get young (or even mature) musicians to get to be creative within a full band setting. I made this tune up on the fly with a group of students specifically to have "looped" music that we could play at a pep rally. I'm a firm believer of the band playing tunes and NOT just having music played on the loud speaker. Live music is so much better and I'm completely biased. Here's how it works:
1) The first two measures are the d minor scale that kids can improv on
2) Teach the rhythm for Rehearsal Mark 1, as this should be the backbone rhythm
3) Rehearsal Mark 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 all fit all the time
4) The percussionists can play the rhythms printed, but this is a chance to improv
5) Double side the copies with blank staff paper on the back to write down melodies!
**If you have fun with this, kids will absolutely love it. I've never had a group that didn't go crazy the first few times we did this!**
1) The first two measures are the d minor scale that kids can improv on
2) Teach the rhythm for Rehearsal Mark 1, as this should be the backbone rhythm
3) Rehearsal Mark 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 all fit all the time
4) The percussionists can play the rhythms printed, but this is a chance to improv
5) Double side the copies with blank staff paper on the back to write down melodies!
**If you have fun with this, kids will absolutely love it. I've never had a group that didn't go crazy the first few times we did this!**
| urban_groove.pdf |
Note: this totally works with marching band too. You can use it as a "time filler" that can be played on a loop and end right before the snap!
