Looking for a fun game to revise music theory and literacy? This matching activity with musical symbols is the perfect addition to your music classroom! Interactive, engaging and ready to print and go!
What’s included?
30 printable playing cards
31 different musical signs and symbols (shown in thumbnails and below)
6 signs/symbols on each card
Instructions
Tell me more!
This product is based on the popular matching card game. Each pair of cards will have one symbol which matches - the players have to spot it and say what it is! With an added twist in this version, the player can only keep the cards they “spotted and matched” if they can also define the musical sign or symbol - so they will be revising their musical literacy without even realising!
Save time and money - print and laminate these cards once and use them in a multitude of ways in your music classes! Ideal for time-fillers, fast finishers, centers, revision, end-of-year fun and more. If you teach multiple classes (general music, theory, appreciation…) or multiple year groups, you will LOVE that these cards can be used in different settings. I am a big fan of games that students can play in pairs or small groups! It’s great for their self esteem and social skills.
UPDATED to include USA and UK terms (whole note/semibreve, staff/stave etc).
Also available: Spot & Match It - Musical Instruments. Don’t forget to follow my store for more solutions for your music classroom, and leave a review!
Signs and symbols included:
staff/stave
treble clef
bass clef
semiquaver
quaver
quaver rest
crotchet
crotchet rest
minim
semibreve
semibreve rest
dotted minim
tie
triplets
pianissimo
piano
mezzo piano
mezzo forte
forte
fortissimo
crescendo
accent
staccato
pause/fermata
coda
grace note
repeat sign
sharp
flat
natural
ottava
Looking for a fun game to revise musical instruments? This matching activity with musical instruments is the perfect addition to your music classroom! Interactive, engaging and ready to print and go!
What’s included?
PDF file containing:
30 printable playing cards
31 different musical instruments
6 instruments on each card
Instructions
Tell me more!
This product is based on the popular matching card game. Each pair of cards will have one symbol which matches - the players have to spot it and say what it is! They will be revising their musical knowledge without even realising!
Save time and money - print and laminate these cards once and use them in a multitude of ways in your music classes! Ideal for time-fillers, fast finishers, centers, revision, end-of-year fun and more. If you teach multiple classes (general music, theory, band…) or multiple year groups, you will LOVE that these cards can be used in different settings. I am a big fan of games that students can play in pairs or small groups! It’s great for their self esteem and social skills. Orchestral instruments, strings, brass, woodwind, percussion, rock and pop, and folk instruments are all represented!
Also available: Spot & Match It - Music Signs & Symbols. Visit my store for more solutions for your music classroom, and please leave a review if your students enjoy this game!
Instruments included:
The instruments included, in high-quality, realistic clipart are:
Accordion
Acoustic guitar
Bagpipes
Banjo
Bassoon
Clarinet
Cymbal
Double bass
Drum
Drum kit
Electric guitar
Flute
French horn
Grand piano
Harp
Maracas
Oboe
Piano (upright)
Piccolo
Saxophone
Sleigh bells
Synthesizer/keyboard
Tambourine
Timpani
Triangle
Trombone
Trumpet
Tuba
Vibraphone
Violin
Xylophone
Need some new music classroom games for revising musical instruments? Save money and prep time with 8 games in one! These printable cards can be used for eight different games, suitable for different ages, abilities and types of class. Great to have ready to go in your primary or secondary school music classroom. Low prep - just print and go!
****What’s included?
64 instrument cards (32 with names, 32 without names)
8 game cards with clear instructions
Tell me more!
These cards feature high-quality, realistic clip art so your students can practice identifying and naming musical instruments, including orchestral instruments, strings, woodwind, brass, percussion and keyboards. The range of games includes whole class activities and some that can be done individually or in small groups. Use them for icebreakers, fast finishers, brain breaks, end of year fun, or integrate them into your daily lessons.
The files are in PDF format, ready to print, laminate, and use time after time.
If you are looking for more games and activities for your music classroom, please check out my store! I’d love you to leave a review if you and your students enjoy using these cards, so other teachers can find them too!
Engage your high school general music students in classical composition with this no-prep, print-and-go unit based on Rondeau from The Fairy Queen mini opera by Henry Purcell. Perfect for classrooms with limited access to instruments, technology, or a dedicated music space, these general music lesson plans are designed to develop listening skills, foster music appreciation, and inspire composition through a wide variety of activities. Rondeau from The Fairy Queen is a Baroque favourite and the perfect starting point for developing composition skills.
What’s included?
10 page printable workbook for students (PDF format)
Teacher instructions (PDF format)
Audio clips for listening tasks (mp3 format)
Not included: the audio file for the recording of Rondeau is not included for copyright reasons. However, the timings are clearly noted in the teacher instructions and the piece is easy to find on all major streaming platforms. The only technology required is a speaker, CD player or computer to play the music on.
Listening Activities: identifying musical features, melodic dictation of missing notes and sequences, developing aural skills/ear training
Theory activities: written tasks based on 3/4 time signature, notating sequences
Composer study: learn a little about the life and works of Henry Purcell
Composition: students compose several sequence passages which they develop into a full rondo form composition
Opportunities for whole class discussion and individual tasks
Tell me more!
This unit is flexible and ready-to-use! Ideal to fit into your regular curriculum, or to use for last-minute changes to your teaching circumstances. No instruments, technology, or special setup needed - just print the student booklets and students write directly on them. The tasks support key music education standards like active listening, analysis, theory, history and composition.
As music teachers, we have to be flexible and adaptable to room changes, limited resources, disengaged classes, behaviour challenges and more! I designed these units with these circumstances in mind! Whether you’ve to teach some quiet lessons, or you have no access to technology or instruments, or if you have a class who cannot be trusted with practical work, this unit will keep your students busy, engaged and learning! Despite the “no instruments, no technology label”, these lessons are not boring! They are are packed with a range of short activities, mixing theory work, listening excerpts, written tasks and class discussions.
The unit should last around 4 lessons, depending on the level of detail you choose to go into, your students’ abilities, and the time taken on the final composition project. Extension suggestions are included. This resource is black & white for easy, budget-friendly printing.
The composition can be completed on paper, on computers (with any music notation software) or at pianos, depending on your classroom setup.
This is a simple, easy-to-learn song that can be used with all your primary music classes! Singing games are a great way to start the lesson, or to use as a break part way through a choir practice or general music class.
What’s included?
Sheet music (8 bar melody)
Instructions for classroom implementation
Tell me more!
I wrote this as a way of getting my students singing, moving and interacting at the start of every lesson! I use it with all my younger classes. Everyone picks up the melody quickly and looks forward to the “change places” chorus on each repeat!
Pitch/melody warm-up: the song uses a natural minor key, ideal for young singers. The range is an octave and the melody moves by step and small leaps of a 3rd.
Rhythm warm up: finger clicks help practise keeping time. The melody uses mostly quarter notes, emphasising keeping a steady beat.
Movement warm-up: the game involves swapping places each chorus.
Social warm-up: your students will all be involved, looking around the circle, and feeling the benefits of singing together.
I hope you and your students love playing and singing together using this song! If you enjoy it, please leave a review to help others find it. Follow my store for more fun music resources for your music classroom.
Refresh your music classroom with this bundle of over 20 engaging games, packaged into 5 versatile products—including my top-selling “Spot & Match It” cards! Perfect for a range of ages and settings, these no-prep activities are a must-have for music teachers juggling multiple stages and settings.
What’s Included:
Spot & Match it: Instruments
Spot & Match It: Signs and Symbols
Treble Clef Game Cards
Instrument Game Cards
Musicianship Ear Training
Tell Me More!
Designed with ages 10-14 in mind but effective across ages a range of ages, this bundle offers fun, interactive ways to teach and reinforce key musical concepts. Whether you’re covering basic theory, practicing aural skills, or just need something engaging for revision, these games deliver!
Use them as exit tickets, revision tools, or a go-to for fast finishers. With a mix of curriculum-based activities and just-for-fun options, these games can energise any lesson. Plus, they’re no-prep—simply print, laminate if you wish, and play!
Keeping older students engaged can be tough - these games are fun and challenging without being childish. These activities are ready to use, just print and laminate once, and save prep time for years to come! They are ideal to integrate into your lessons, or to pull out for last-minute time fillers! Instructions are included so they can even be left for subs.
This bundle has been tried, tested, and loved by music teachers around the world—add it to your collection today! Don’t forget to leave a review if you and your students enjoyed playing these games.
Teaching musical periods doesn’t need to be boring! This printable scavenger hunt activity is a low-prep, engaging way to introduce your students to medieval, renaissance, baroque, classical, romantic and modern! Using reading passages, questions and code words, your students will be actively involved in their learning as they move around the room to complete the task.
What’s included?
10 Short Reading Passages
10 Questions
Student Answer Sheet
Student Directions
Teacher Directions
Teacher Answer Key
Tell me more!
Your students can work alone or in groups to solve clues, following a fun storyline about a broken time machine, where they explore different musical eras in order to discover the code to fix the time machine and come home safely. Students move around the room, reading 10 passages of information as they search for the clues to solve the mystery word and code required to finish the scavenger hunt. They will love the friendly competition of trying to be the first to complete the mystery! The reading passages have been carefully written for age 10-12 reading level.
The reading cards cover medieval, renaissance, baroque, classical, romantic and modern periods of music, with information on history, features, instruments and composers of the time. You can hang the cards on the wall, hide them, scatter them on the floor: How you choose to set it up in your classroom is up to you.
Students will revisit each card text multiple times, practicing reading comprehension and critical thinking skills as they rotate around the room seeking text evidence. To ensure understanding of the subject matter, students will answer questions that can be found directly in the reading passages. No prior knowledge is needed.
Save time! This activity is ready to print and go - set up time is minimal. No prior knowledge is required so it can be an exciting way to introduce European classical music as a topic. It can even be used with a sub or cover teacher! No technology, instruments or specialist knowledge is needed. And it can be done in any classroom or space without any technology!
Check out similar products: a scavenger hunt related to the elements of music, another focusing on instruments of the orchestra - or buy them all in a discounted bundle! Don’t forget to leave a review if you enjoy it, and help other educators find my store.
If you are looking for a creative way to introduce the elements of music, this printable scavenger hunt activity is ready to go! Using reading passages, questions and code words, your students will be actively involved in their learning as they move around the room to complete the task.
What’s included?
10 Short Reading Passages
10 Questions
Student Answer Sheet
Student Directions
Teacher Directions
Teacher Answer Key
Tell me more!
Your students can work alone or in groups to solve clues, following a fun storyline about a musical laboratory, where the elements of music are mixed to make compositions. Students move around the room, reading 10 passages of information as they search for the clues to solve the mystery word and code required to finish the scavenger hunt. They will love the friendly competition of trying to be the first to complete the mystery! The reading passages have been carefully written for around age 10-12 reading level.
Each reading card focuses on one element (Melody, Harmony, Rhythm, Tempo, Time Signatures, Texture, Structure, Style, Timbre, Dynamics). You can hang the cards on the wall, hide them, scatter them on the floor: How you choose to set it up in your classroom is up to you.
Students will revisit each card text multiple times, practicing reading comprehension and critical thinking skills as they rotate around the room seeking text evidence. To ensure understanding of the subject matter, students will answer questions that can be found directly in the reading passages. No prior knowledge is needed.
Save time! This activity is ready to print and go - set up time is minimal. No prior knowledge is required so it can be an exciting way to introduce the elements of music as a topic. It can even be used with a sub! No technology, instruments or specialist knowledge is needed. And it can be done in any classroom or space without any technology!
Check out similar products: a scavenger hunt related to the instruments of the orchestra, another focusing on musical periods - or buy them all in a discounted bundle!
For teachers in Scotland, the elements match the SQA headings of Understanding Music/listening concepts. However, this game has been designed so that the information very broad and general, and is not specific to any particular curriculum so can be used by anyone!
f you are looking for a creative way to introduce your middle school general music class to the instruments of the orchestra, this printable scavenger hunt activity is ready to go! Using reading passages, questions and code words, your students will love this active learning puzzle activity!
What’s included?
10 Short Reading Passages
10 Questions
Student Answer Sheet
Student Directions
Teacher Directions
Teacher Answer Key
Tell me more!
Your students can work alone or in groups to solve clues, following a fun storyline about a concert hall, where they learn about the orchestra. Students move around the room, reading 10 passages of information as they search for the clues to solve the mystery word and code required to finish the scavenger hunt. They will love the friendly competition of trying to be the first to complete the mystery! The reading passages have been carefully written for middle school reading level.
The 10 reading cards each have a short passage about the orchestra: history, instruments, families and style are all included. You can hang the cards on the wall, hide them, scatter them on the floor: How you choose to set it up in your classroom is up to you.
Students will revisit each card text multiple times, practicing reading comprehension and critical thinking skills as they rotate around the room seeking text evidence. To ensure understanding of the subject matter, students will answer questions that can be found directly in the reading passages. No prior knowledge is needed.
Save time! This activity is ready to print and go - set up time is minimal. No prior knowledge is required so it can be an exciting way to introduce the elements of music as a topic. It can even be used with a sub! No technology, instruments or specialist knowledge is needed. And it can be done in any classroom or space without any technology!
Check out similar products: a scavenger hunt related to the elements of music, another focusing on musical periods - or buy them all in a discounted bundle!
Engage your music students in Romantic music with this no-prep, print-and-go unit based on Mars from The Planet Suite by Gustav Holst. Perfect for classrooms with limited access to instruments, technology, or a dedicated music space, these general music lesson plans are designed to develop listening skills, foster music appreciation, and encourage creative thinking through a wide variety of activities. Mars: Bringer of War by Holst from The Planets Suite is a timeless classical favourite and your students will be engaged in learning about the music with a space exploration theme!
What’s included?
10 page printable workbook for students (PDF format)
Teacher instructions (PDF format)
UK and USA versions (bar/measure, crotchet/quarter note etc)
Colour and greyscale versions
Listening Activities: focus on identifying instruments and musical features including ostinato, fanfare, dissonance and coda
Theory activities: written tasks based on 5/4 time signature, ta, te-te and triola rhythms
Composer study: learn a little about the life and works of Gustav Holst
Composition: students compose a short rhythmic ostinato using inspiration from the music
Practical tasks: using clapping instead of instruments
Opportunities for whole class, group and pair activities: encourage collaboration through discussions and shared tasks
Non-music exercises: allow your students to use their imagination, imagining travelling to Mars and planning an interview with Holst
Not included: the audio file for the recording of Mars is not included for copyright reasons. However, the timings are clearly noted in the teacher instructions and the piece is easy to find on all major streaming platforms. The only technology required is a speaker, CD player or computer to play the music on.
Tell me more!
This unit is flexible and ready-to-use! Ideal to fit into your regular curriculum, or to use for last-minute changes to your teaching circumstances. No instruments, technology, or special setup needed - just print the student booklets and students write directly on them. The tasks support key music education standards like active listening, analysis, theory, history and creativity.
As music teachers, we have to be flexible and adaptable to room changes, limited resources, disengaged classes, behaviour challenges and more! I designed these units with these circumstances in mind! Whether you’ve to teach some quiet lessons during exams, or you have no access to technology or instruments, or if you have a class who cannot be trusted with practical work, this unit will keep your students busy, engaged and learning! Despite the “no instruments, no technology label”, these lessons are not boring! They are packed with a range of short activities, mixing theory work, listening excerpts, written tasks and class discussions. The unit should last approximately 4 lessons for students age 9-12.
Similar units for older students are available: Danse Macabre and Purcell’s Rondeau.
Halloween or year-round, Saint-Saens’ Danse Macabre is a classical favourite enjoyed by students! Engage your music pupils with this no-prep, print-and-go unit based on Danse Macabre. Perfect for classrooms with limited access to instruments, technology, or a dedicated music space, these general music lesson plans are designed to develop listening skills, foster music appreciation, and encourage creative thinking through a wide variety of activities. Introduce your students to this enthralling, spooky Romantic music masterpiece!
What’s included?
10 page printable workbook for students (PDF format)
Teacher instructions (PDF format)
UK and USA versions (bar/measure, crotchet/quarter note etc)
Listening Activities: focus on identifying instruments and musical features including symphonic poem, waltz and canon
Theory activities: written tasks based on 3/4 time signature, recognizing musical signs and symbols
Composer study: learn a little about the life and works of Camille Saint-Saens
Composition: students compose a short rhythm in 3/4 time
Opportunities for whole class, group and pair activities: encourage collaboration through discussions and shared tasks
Non-music exercises: allow your students to use their imagination, drawing in response to the music, and creating interview questions for the composer
Not included: the audio file for the recording of Danse Macabre is not included for copyright reasons. However, the timings are clearly noted in the teacher instructions and the piece is easy to find on all major streaming platforms. The only technology required is a speaker, CD player or computer to play the music on.
Tell me more!
This unit is flexible and ready-to-use! Ideal to fit into your regular curriculum, or to use for last-minute changes to your teaching circumstances. No instruments, technology, or special setup needed - just print the student booklets and students write directly on them. The tasks support key music education standards like active listening, analysis, theory, history and creativity.
As music teachers, we have to be flexible and adaptable to room changes, limited resources, disengaged classes, behaviour challenges and more! I designed these units with these circumstances in mind! Whether you’ve to teach some quiet lessons during exams, or you have no access to technology or instruments, or if you have a class who cannot be trusted with practical work, this unit will keep your students busy, engaged and learning! Despite the “no instruments, no technology label”, these lessons are not boring! They are packed with a range of short activities, mixing theory work, listening excerpts, written tasks and class discussions. The unit should last approximately 4 lessons for students age 10-13.
Similar units for are available - Mars and Purcell’s Rondeau from The Fairy Queen.
These printable scavenger hunt games will engage your pupils in an active learning experience! Using reading passages, questions and code words, your students will move around the room, solving clues to complete the task.
This bundle contains all three scavenger hunts! Each focuses on a basic, fundamental music topic and they require no prior knowledge so you can use them with any class!
The Musical Laboratory is about the elements of music - melody, rhythm, timbre etc.
The Broken Time Machine focuses on musical periods - Baroque, Classical etc.
Concert Hall Break In introduces orchestral instruments.
Each scavenger hunt includes a fun storyline to introduce the lesson. Students work alone or in groups, reading 10 passages of information as they search for the clues to solve the mystery word and code required to finish the scavenger hunt. They will love the friendly competition of trying to be the first to complete the mystery!
If you are looking for a unique way to introduce these crucial musical topics while encouraging movement and problem solving skills, this bundle is perfect for you. You can hang the cards on the wall, hide them, scatter them on the floor: How you choose to set it up in your classroom is up to you.
Students revisit each card text multiple times, practicing reading comprehension and critical thinking skills as they rotate around the room seeking text evidence. To ensure understanding of the subject matter, students will answer questions that can be found directly in the reading passages.
WHAT I LOVE: These activities is ready to print and go - set up time is minimal. No prior knowledge is required so it can be an exciting way to introduce each topic. Spread them out through the year - your students will start asking for more! It can even be used with a sub! No technology, instruments or specialist knowledge is needed.
WHAT’S INCLUDED?
Each of the 3 scavenger hunts contains:
10 Short Reading Passages
10 Questions
Student Answer Sheet
Student Directions
Teacher Directions
Teacher Answer Key
Do you need a written project for your music performing students? This project includes research and study tasks suitable for ANY piece, for instrument or voice! Ideal for enriching their understanding of the music, quiet lessons, independent research, homework, alternative assessment, sub/cover classes and more!
What is it?
6-page printable booklet
50+ questions
6 core sections suitable for all pieces and instruments
Extension task
Specialised questions for singers
Specialised questions for accompaniments
Tell me more!
We all love preparing our students’ solo performances but the reality is we cannot always have every student playing music - sometimes we need valuable, enriching written work which will support and enhance the students’ performance. Broken instruments, quiet lessons during exams, teacher absence, large classes - there is a whole list of reasons why written work is sometimes needed!
I have used this in the lead up to practical prelims and exams, allowing me time to spend one-to-one with each student. It is also suitable for homework or even to leave with a non-specialist sub teacher, as the students work completely independently. The task can be repeated as often as you like with different pieces of music. This is not just “busy work”, this is a detailed task which will truly see your students develop a much deeper understanding of the music - and, in turn, perform it better!
If you have a student unable or unwilling to perform, this could be used as an alternative or make-up task.
There is a real mix of questions, covering all aspects of music reading and performance, but assuming very little prior knowledge - making this product ideal for mixed ability classes, and for using across multiple year groups. Headings include melody/harmony, dynamics, tempo and more - ideal if your students are preparing for practical exams such as GCSE, AS, A level, ABRSM, National 5, Higher or Advanced Higher.
I really hope you enjoy using this research task and I am confident your students will benefit from completing it! Don’t forget to leave a review if you like the product, to help other teachers find it.