Trick or Treat Game
BOO! Here's a fun and spooky way to play with rhythms and note reading:
Options to Choose Before Playing the Game:
How the Rhythm Will Be Played For the entire game either:
- Each player will knock the rhythm on the table top, like knocking on a door when trick or treating OR
- Each player will tongue the rhythm on the head joint OR
- Each player will play the rhythm on a percussion instrument OR
- After selecting their card or row of cards, the player will then choose a Note Card and play the rhythm on the flute using that note. This is particularly useful for beginners who are still learning to identify and play B, A, G and C.
Will Players Play One Card or a Row? For the entire game either:
- Each player chooses an individual card for his or her turn. (I recommend playing the rhythm on the card two times in a row for this option, as if there were a repeat.) OR
- Each student chooses a whole row of cards that he or she will play one after the other during his or her turn to create a line of measures of rhythms.
Preparing For the Game:
Remove any cards with rhythmic values that your student does not yet know.
Arrange the remaining Rhythm Cards in rows, with the rhythms facing up, to form a square or rectangle.
If using the optional Note Cards, put these in a separate pile, note side up. Each player will play the rhythm using the note shown on the card on the top of the pile. The player will then remove that card.
How to Play the Game
- The player chooses a Rhythm Card (or a line of cards if playing with rows) and plays the rhythm. If the rhythm was played successfully, the player puts the Rhythm Cards(s) in his or her pile, Haunted House side up. (Don’t peak at the back of the card!) If Note Cards are being used, the player puts the Note Card they used in a second pile next to their Rhythm Cards.*
- Players alternate choosing Rhythm Cards (or rows of cards) as in step 1 until all the cards have been played.
- The players then turn over their cards. Whoever has the greatest number of Candy Cards wins the game!
Debbie teaches flute online to children all over the world and she gives in person lessons in Hudson, Quebec. She has been teaching flute in English and French for over 25 years and has a Bachelors and a Masters degree in Music from McGill University. Every student is unique and Debbie loves finding creative ways to teach her young students, depending on their particular learning styles and needs. Her goal is to make lessons full of fun while providing students with a deep understanding of music. Learning to play the flute online can be preferable for some and Debbie has the tools to make online lessons engaging for young children. Debbie has taught music in the classroom and once wrote and put on a musical play featuring 100 little recorder players! Her favourite cookie? Anything chocolate! Debbie enjoys swimming and growing indoor salad gardens. Maybe that’s why her favourite color is green..? To read more about lessons with Debbie, visit www.debbiereynoldsflute.com
