Music game

I seem to keep coming back to the idea of games that create something, like a story or an image. I thought recently of using notes written on cards as a way for people to make music together. Naturally, when most of us want to play music, we just play it and we don't need a card game, but I feel like music nerds would get a kick out of this.

There would be a card deck and on each of the cards there would be a music note positioned on a staff. Western music has many rules, and a lot of these could be adapted into game rules. For instance, you could have a poker-like game in which you are trying to collect cards that represent something in the same key. Or, you could be collaborating to try and create something that actually sounds like a tune. Accidentals (or sharps & flats if you don't establish a key) could be used to enhance or sabotage other people's pieces. Maybe the goal would be to create a seven-note tune that you can easily recognize (like "Happy Birthday" or something)--all you really need is an instrument nearby.

Granted, this is not the most accessible idea, but maybe it would be a way to learn to read sheet music, too. I don't know, I just like games that create.

©The ideas and objects presented in this blog are copyright Marcela Poffald 2008.