Music theory games have been one of the good changes brought about in the music educational system. Music is gaining its importance as a profession which the young generation is dreaming of getting in to.

The first step in this change was the inclusion of music in the core primary school curriculum. But later as musical classrooms became a trivial part of the educational system, as students hardly found it interesting to learn music theory, musical theory games brought about positive changes. The improvement and the interest level of the students soared when games were introduced as part of the regular curriculum in the schools.

Some ideas for music theory games which can be included in the classroom at primary level are these:

Here’s an action and fun game
This is a creative approach without involving traditional physical techniques like dancing, which is demonstrated using a candy-filled pinata. This is done by asking each student a question about beats and rhythm; for instance, how many beats are there in 3/4 time? If the child gives correct answer, ask him to strike the pinata with as many number of beats or the rhythm which corresponds to the answer. Of course once the pinata is finally broken then everyone will win a prize!

Auditory Game
Give the children a chance to have an “interval race” Draw a set of marked squares on the pavement or carpet with chalk for them to step on. You can use a piano or other instrument to aurally play the intervals, and the children have to line up facing the “race track” infront of the instrument. At first make the children line up at the starting block, then play an interval for each participant on the instrument.  If he or she identifies the interval correctly they can move forward one space. The winner is the first one to reach the end of the race track!

Charlie Ying is a music teacher who has taught piano and classroom music to elementary schools. Charlie also assists the Fun Music Company as editor and advisor on their Music Lesson Plans and Music Theory Worksheets for classroom music lessons.