How to make your musical Jenga game:
You will need:
- A Jenga set or any other wooden blocks set similar to the original jenga game. I bought a mini tumbling tower set from a local store at the prize of €1.99. The mini set has 45 blocks and the classic Jenga has 54 blocks.
- Permanent markers of different colors (for a colourful game)
- Rhythm patterns that you can get for FREE when you sign up below:
Making the game:
Step 1: In both small narrow sides of every block write the name of a note in the colour of your choice. The color here, doesn't have any other purpose than making the game colourful.
I use C, D, E, F, G, A, B but I also use the notes with their sharps and flats C#, D#, F#, G#, A#, Db, Eb, Gb, Ab, and Bb. Board games offer opportunities for early learning and I like introducing sharps and flats to small children that they haven’t been taught about them yet. Each block must have the same note on both sides. (see video below)
In a set of 54 blocks each note should be written in three different blocks. Of course, you are the one to decide which notes should you use for your board game and how many times each.
Step 2: Open the pdf that I sent you.
You don’t need to print the pdf out. You just have to write the rhythm patterns on the surface of each block as I suggest below.
In the pdf, there are two different levels of rhythm patterns. The first one is suitable for beginners (levels 1 and 2) and the second level is a bit more advanced.
Write each one of the beginner’s level rhythm patterns on one side of each block. All the beginner's patterns should be written with the same colour.
On the other side of each block, write the more advanced rhythm patterns that you will find in the pdf. Note that the advanced patterns should be with a different colour than the beginner’s level.
Watch this short video if you need more help.
If you've already done steps 1 and 2 your wooden blocks must have rhythm patterns on their surface (beginner level and advanced level rhythm patterns). Also the narrow side of the blocks you must have note names written on.
The musical Jenga game is ready! You just have to learn the rules!
The game works pretty much the same as the original Jenga game with some additional rules that make it even more exciting and interesting for our music students.
Rules of the musical Jenga
Rule 1: When a player (A ) pulls a block out he must clap the rhythm pattern that is written on it (remember that there is a different colour pattern for the beginners and a different colour for the advanced students).
Rule 2: If player A claps the rhythm correctly then he puts the block on the top and he gives the next player, player B, a limited choice of blocks that he is allowed to touch and pull out.
For example, player A may allow player B to pull out any block with the note named C. In the picture you can see the limited options that player B has. He can pull out one of the circled blocks because they are the only ones who are named C .
Another option for a player is to allow the other player to pull out any block with a sharp or a flat on it.
For a more challenging game, player A could allow player B to pull out any block that has a note name from a chord. For example, if he refers to the chord E major then player B may pull out any block that is named E, G# or B.
If student A doesn’t clap the rhythm correctly then student B can pull out a block of his own choice.
And the game goes on when player B pulls out a block, claps the rhythm etc…
To get your free pdf with the rhythm patterns I made for the game write your name and email below and I will send it to your inbox. Don't forget to confirm your subscription via email.
Hope you enjoy the making of this musical jenga!
Happy music game playing!!!