A few weeks ago, I translated a music lesson into a playable card game. It is a tactile way of doing effectively what an AKAI MPC does but it gives the responsibility to the players. It's an excellent way to bridge performed music & sounds with the popular use of sampled sounds popularized in hip hop.
If been in my after-school music club program, you saw the original version of this, but if you ever make it out to a DIVIROXX Kids teaching workshop event, you may see this beta version of the game featured. In addition to a playable card game, I've repurposed it as a worksheet for the Kennedy Center residency in early May.
How do you play?! One approach quickly lays out samples for a song, for quick teaching application. You can play alone or with a group:
1 - Lay out the number cards 1, 2, 3, & 4
2 - Put a sound to sample under a chosen number
3 - Follow a beats per minute marking (ex. 120 BPM) and say the sound under the number. You can do this part together or share the responsibility with friends.
4 - HOW DID IT SOUND?! Is it a chorus perhaps?!
5 - BONUS* Get creative and make up a verse or story in time. Use your sample as the chorus.
If you really want to get more advanced and more competitive, you can check out the songwriting edition. Here are the full rules:
1. Sound Cards: Shuffle the sound deck at the start of each new game. Players draw cards containing random words, or phrases that they incorporate into their beat grid. If we choose the songwriting game (SW), this can help spark creativity and encourage players to think outside the box.
2. The Dice: Roll musical notes and/or intervals to generate random melodies. Players can roll the dice to determine the musical direction of their song.
3. Genre Wheel: Spin the wheel to select a genre or style each player needs to write.
4. SW - Collaboration: Players get specific roles in the songwriting process, such as lyricist, or arranger. Players must work together to create a cohesive song.
5. SW - Theme Cards: Cards contain different themes or emotions they must convey in their song. Players can use them to focus their creativity and storytelling.
6. SW - Timer: A time limit of (idk yet) minutes is set for each round of songwriting to add a sense of urgency and challenge to the game.
7. Performance Element: Players must perform their songs for the group or record them in some way.
8. Optional - Feedback: Players can provide constructive criticism and encouragement to each other to improve their songwriting skills and foster a supportive environment.
9. Optional - Scoring: Players are scored based on creativity, originality, and how well the song meets the criteria of the game.
What do you think of the game? Is it something you'd play? Does the teaching application make sense? Should I put this game in my shop for purchase?! Let me know.
I'm excited to see how the kids in DC receive it.
UPDATE: The trademark has been registered. This takes a bit, but I can put this game in my shop ASAP. Who wants the first run?!
