GB2371237A

GB2371237A - Music teaching question & answer game

Info

Publication number: GB2371237A
Application number: GB0100515A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Isabel M Farrell
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-01-09
Filing date: 2001-01-09
Publication date: 2002-07-24
Also published as: GB0100515D0

Abstract

The present invention relates to a music teaching game, in particular a game for teaching key signatures. There is described a music teaching game comprising a set of question cards and a set of sequentially interlocking pieces. The question cards described bear questions requiring (i) identification of a particular major or minor key signature from a graphical representation of that key signature or a written statement of the number of sharps or flats in that key signature and/or (ii) which or how many sharps or flats comprise a particular key signature. The set of sequentially interlocking playing pieces described comprises one piece for each note of a scale for each player and may also include an additional final or 'winning' piece. The game may further comprise a clue card showing the correct sequence of sharps and flats on both the treble and bass clefs. The clue card may bear a graphic representation of a piano keyboard bearing the names of the keys.

Description

MUSIC TEACHING GAME

The present invention relates to a music teaching game, in particular a game for teaching key signatures.

As is well known, written music uses notes, which have letters as names. Sharps raise the sound of the note by a semitone and flats lower the sound of a note by a semitone. Music is written in keys, each of which has a key signature indicating the sharps or the flats needed to make the music sound in that key. The sharps and flats are conventionally written in a standard order, with the most used first. For example, a single octave (8 note) scale has one note of each letter name with a repeat of the

keynote at the end. For example, the C Major scale-C D E F G A B C-has no sharps or flats in its key signature, but the C&num; Major scale has 7 sharps in its key signature (C"D"e F" (3 A ! B"C"). At what can be considered to be the other extreme of the scale, the Cb Major scale has 7 flats in its key signature - Cb Db Eb Fb Gb Ab Bb Cb.

Learning to read music can be a difficult task and the present invention seeks to make learning easier by increasing enjoyment and enthusiasm by the playing of games.

In its broadest sense, the present invention provides a music teaching game comprising a set of question cards and a set of sequentially interlocking pieces.

Preferably, the question cards bear questions requiring (i) identification of a particular major or minor key signature from a graphical representation of that key signature or a written statement of the number of sharps or flats in that key signature and/or (ii) which or how many sharps or flats comprise a particular key signature.

Preferably, the set of sequentially interlocking playing pieces comprises one piece for each note of a scale for each player. More preferably, the set further comprises an

additional final or'winning'piece. Typically the scale represented is the scale of C major.

Preferably, the game further comprises a clue card showing the correct sequence of sharps and flats on both the treble and bass clefs. More preferably, the clue card bears a graphic representation of a piano keyboard bearing the names of the keys.

The above and other aspects of the present invention will now be explained in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a clue card of an embodiment of a game in accordance with the present invention ; Figure 2 shows a set of sequentially interlocking playing pieces of an embodiment of a game in accordance with the present invention ; Figure 3 shows a first set of question cards where key signatures are represented graphically ; Figure 4 shows a second set of question cards where the key signatures are represented by a statement of the number of flats or sharps ; and Figure 5 shows a third set of question cards asking for the key signature of a particular major or minor key.

Referring to Figure 1, an optional clue card (10) for use with the game of the present invention shows the correct order of sharps and flats on both treble and bass staves.

As shown, the card (10) is preferably a folded card with sharps on one side (11) and flats on the other (12). In the embodiment of the clue card (10) shown, each side also bears a representation of the piano keyboard (13), showing the names of the notes associated with each key. The card also includes the mnemonic :"Father Charles Goes Down And Ends Battle"to remind players of the correct sequence of sharps and the mnemonic :"Battle Ends And Down Goes Charles'Father"to remind players of the correct sequence of flats, together with other material to act as an aide memoire for players.

Figure 2 shows a set (30) of sequentially interlocking playing pieces. There are eight pieces (31) each representing a note in a scale and a terminal or winning piece (32). The pieces (31, 32) interlock in a similar manner to a jigsaw puzzle. As shown, the scale of C Major is represented, but alternative scales could be provided. One set (30) of these pieces (31) is provided for each player. Figure 3 shows a first set of question cards (40). These cards each show a key signature printed on a staff accompanied by the question,"Which key has this key signature ?" There are separate cards for the treble and bass clefs. This set of cards is divided into two levels of difficulty. Card Set A asks the question for key signatures up to three sharps or flats. Card Set B is for advanced players and covers key signatures having four to seven sharps or flats. The cards can also be divided into two alternative sets, SET 1 representing key signatures including sharps, and SET 2 showing key signatures including flats. The key signature with no sharps or flats (C Major/A Minor) is reproduced in both SET 1 and SET 2. Equally, sets I and 2 can be treated as subsets of SETS A and B. As herein described, SET Al refers to the group of cards showing key signatures of from zero to three sharps, SET B2 refers to the group of cards showing key signatures of from four to seven flats, and so on.

Figure 4 shows a second set of question cards (41). These cards ask which key has a given number of sharps or flats. Again, the set is divided into two levels of difficulty on the same basis as the first set, namely SET C and SET D, and into sets I and 2 corresponding to sharps and flats.

Figure 5 shows a third set of question cards (42) in which the question posed is"What is the key signature for a given major or minor key ?" Again the cards are divided into four groups, SET Eu-major keys including sharps, SET E2-minor keys including sharps and corresponding SETS Fl and F2 asking for key signatures for major and minor keys respectively including flats.

It will be appreciated that in any game all three sets of cards (40, 41, 42) may be used, sequentially, one set at a time, or shuffled into a random order. Alternatively, only one set at a time may be used. Within the first and second cards sets (40,41) Card Sets A, B, C and D may be used together or separately. Equally, within sets A, B, C, and D, subsets 1 and 2 may be used together or separately. The particular cards used will depend upon the current standard of the players and in particular upon which key signatures does the recognition of which require reinforcement. Each set of cards may also include duplicate question cards.

By way of example only, some games using the apparatus described above will now be explained.

FIRST GAME. Objective: C Major and the sharp keys.

Only the cards showing sharps of the first set of cards (40) are used (ie, SET Al and SET Bol). The sharps side of a clue card (10) faces each player. The playing pieces or jigsaw notes (31,32) are placed in a separate pile. A dealer deals four cards (40) face down in the middle of the table, which constitutes a pool, and deals the remaining cards equally to the players, or groups of players. First player (A) begins by laying a card face upwards on the table. A second player (B) must answer the question on the card-and can use the clue stand for help. IfB's answer is correct, B puts down a card for C to answer, and so on. Cards that have been used are placed in the pool. If any player thinks the question has been wrongly answered, they can shout "CHALLENGE". If the challenge is correct, the player who gave the wrong answer picks an extra card from the pool. If the challenge was wrong, the challenger takes a card. The first player to get rid of all his cards is the winner of the round and takes a jigsaw note (31) starting with"C". The winner of the game is the first player to complete the scale of C Major and add the final or winner's card (32) to their jigsaw.

When everyone is confident with the SETS Al and B I cards, the cards from SETS Cl and D I are introduced. When these questions become too easy the cards from SET EI are added.

SECOND GAME. Objective : C Major and the flat keys i Players use the cards (40) from SETS A2 and B2 and have the flat side of the clue card (10) facing them. Play is as for the first game. When everyone is confident with SET A2 and SET B2 cards, the cards from SETS C2 and D2 are added, followed ultimately by the cards from SET Fl.

THIRD GAME. Objective: All major keys All the cards from SETS A, B, C and D are used together with those from SET El and SET Fl. Play is as for the first game.

FOURTH GAME. Objective: Minor Keys Minor keys"borrow"a key signature from the major key which is most like it. The

6"'notre of any major key is the first note of its relative minor key. The 6h note of C major is A So the key signature for A Minor has no sharps or flats. Players play with the cards from SETS A and B and name the MINOR key which has the key signature on the card. When everyone is confident with the SETS A and B cards, add the cards from SETS E2 and F2 to the game, finally adding in the cards fro SET C and SET D, giving the MINOR key answer to the questions.

It will be observed that each card shown in Figures 3,4 and 5 carries a reference letter and number in the bottom right hand comer. These references refer to an answer table giving the correct answer (or answers where the correct answer can be either a major or a minor key). Thus the game can also be played with a dealer who is not musically

proficient. The game is thus suitable for use in both classroom and home situations, and by students without supervision. For the cards shown in Figures 3 to 5, the answers are: PI. C Major/A Minor P9. E Major/ C&num; Minor P2. C Major/A Minor P10. E Major/C&num; Minor

P3 G Major/E Minor PI l. B Major/4 Minor P4. G Major/E Minor P12. B Major/G&num; Minor P5. D Major/B Minor P13. F&num; Major/D&num; Minor P6. D Major/B Minor P14. F Major/D Minor P7. A Major/F'Minor P15. C&num; Majora Minor P8. A Major/F Minor P16. C&num; Major/A&num; Minor NI. C Major/A Minor N5. E Major/C&num; Minor N2. G Major/E Minor N6. B Major/G&num; Minor N3. D Major/B Minor N7. F&num; Major/D&num; Minor N4. A Major/F Minor N8. C&num; Major/A&num; Minor Tl. None T5. F, C G, D T2. F&num; T6. , C&num;, G&num;, D&num;, A&num; T3. F&num;, C T7. F, C, G, D, A E T4. F, C, G T8. F, C, G, D, A E, B GI. C Major/A Minor G9. Ab Major/F Minor G2. C Major/A Minor G10. Ab Major/F Minor G3. F Major/D Minor Gril. Db Major/Bb Minor G4. F Major/D Minor G12. Major Minor G5. Bb Major/G Minor G13. Major Minor G6. Bb Major/G Minor G14. Gb Major/Eb Minor G7. Eb Major/C Minor G15. Cb Major/Ab Minor G8. Eb Major/C Minor G16. Cb Major/Ab Minor LI. C Major/A Minor L5. Ab Major/F Minor L2. F Major/D Minor L6. Db Major/ Bb Minor L3 Bb Major/ G Minor L7. Gb Major/ Eb Minor L4. Eb Major/ C Minor L8. Cb Major/Ab Minor Yl. None Y5. Bb, Eb, Ab, Db Y2. Bb Y6. Bb,Eb,Ab,Db,Gb Y3. Bb, Eb Y7. Bb, Eb,Ab,Db,Gb,Cb Y4 Bb,Eb,Ab Y8. Bb,Eb,Ab,Db,Gb,Cb,Fb Bl. None B9. Bb, Eb, Ab, Db

B2. F&num; B10. e, C&num;, G&num;, D&num;, A&num; b b b B3. Bb Bll. Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, Gb

B4. F&num;, C&num; B12. F, C, G, D, A, E B5. B", E' B13. B, E, A", D, G, C B6 F C, G B14. F, C, G, D, A, E, B b, iC'Lb' , k b, W k B7. Bb E, A B15 Bb, Eb Ab Db Gb Cb Fb B8. F&num;, C&num;, G&num;, D +PLUS JOKER. (Spare card)

Claims

Claims 1. A music teaching game comprising a set of question cards and a set of sequentially interlocking pieces.
2. A game as claimed in claim 1 wherein the question cards bear questions requiring (i) identification of a particular major or minor key signature from a graphical representation of that key signature or a written statement of the number of sharps or flats in that key signature and/or (ii) which or how many sharps or flats comprise a particular key signature.
3. A game as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the set of sequentially interlocking playing pieces comprises one piece for each note of a scale for each player.
4. A game as claimed in claim 3 wherein the set of playing pieces further comprises an additional final or'winning'piece. Typically the scale represented is the scale of C major.
5. A game as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the game further comprises a clue card showing the correct sequence of sharps and flats on both the treble and bass clefs.
6. A music teaching game substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.