US 7,325,805 B2Granted

Music theory games and methods of playing music theory games

AssigneeWhirligig, LLP

InventorsSally Ritchie, Sharon Ragner

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Abstract

A game and a method of playing a game are provided that teach the concepts necessary for a polished musical performance. In one embodiment, the game comprises a game board that provides a path of movement for a playing pawn controlled by each player. The path of movement comprises a plurality of areas or “stores”, each store designating a different category of music theory. The game also comprises means for directing each player as to how to move their respective playing pawn along the path of movement and into each of the plurality of stores. An object of the game is to successfully move a playing pawn into each one of the series of stores and correctly answer music theory questions relevant to the category of music theory covered by that store. In case the player does not have adequate understanding of a particular music category designated by a store, a separate game is provided to further develop the player's understanding of the category. Each separate game is played differently and apart from the board game and with different playing pawns, rules, etc. According to this method, students can, at separate times, play the individual games to help develop proficiency in those areas.

Claims6

Dependent claims

A method of playing an educational music theory game, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a game board depicting a path of movement that includes a set of piano keys, a finishing stage, and a plurality of stores, each store designating a different category of music theory, one of which is music intervals;
(b) spinning a spinner to randomly indicate one of a note name and an interval;
(c) moving a playing pawn along the set of piano keys by matching one of the note name and interval indicated by the spinner with the corresponding key on the set of piano keys;
(d) repeating steps (b) and (c) until the playing pawn is moved into and occupies one of the stores;
(e) answering a question regarding the category of music theory designated by the occupied store;
(f) repeating step (e) until a predetermined number of questions are answered correctly;
(g) collecting a token indicating completion of the occupied store once the predetermined number of questions are answered correctly;
(h) repeating steps (b) through (g) until a token is collected from each of the plurality of stores;
(i) moving the playing pawn to the finishing stage and answering a predetermined number of questions correctly to complete the game;
and
(j) playing a focus game related to music intervals if a predetermined number of questions are answered incorrectly in step (e) for the store that represents music intervals, the focus game further developing understanding of music intervals and comprising the steps of:
(i) providing a focus game board having a path of movement that includes a start, a finish, and a plurality of steps between the start and finish, wherein each of the plurality of steps has indicia referring to a particular music interval;
(ii) drawing a plurality of playing cards from a deck of playing cards, each of the playing cards having indicia that denotes a particular music interval;
(iii) matching a pair of the playing cards drawn from the deck, wherein the pair have different indicia, respectively, but refer to the same music interval;
(iv) matching the interval referred to by the pair of playing cards with the interval indicated a step in the path of movement;
and
(v) repeating steps (ii) through (iv) until pairs of cards are matched to each of the steps in the plurality of steps.

14 more elements

A method of playing an educational music theory game, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a game board depicting a path of movement that includes a set of piano keys, a finishing stage, and a plurality of stores, each store designating a different category of music theory, one of which is music key signatures and scale degrees;
(b) spinning a spinner to randomly indicate one of a note name and an interval;
(c) moving a playing pawn along the set of piano keys by matching one of the note name and interval indicated by the spinner with the corresponding key on the set of piano keys;
(d) repeating steps (b) and (c) until the playing pawn is moved into and occupies one of the stores;
(e) answering a question regarding the category of music theory designated by the occupied store;
(f) repeating step (e) until a predetermined number of questions are answered correctly;
(g) collecting a token indicating completion of the occupied store once the predetermined number of questions are answered correctly;
(h) repeating steps (b) through (g) until a token is collected from each of the plurality of stores;
(i) moving the playing pawn to the finishing stage and answering a predetermined number of questions correctly to complete the game;
and
(j) playing a focus game related to key signatures and scale degrees if a predetermined number of questions are answered incorrectly in step (e) for the store that represents key signatures and scale degrees, the focus game further developing understanding of key signatures and scale degrees and comprising the steps of:
(i) providing a focus game board having a plurality of spaced apart indicia, wherein each of the indicia refers to a particular key signature and a scale degree;
(ii) drawing a plurality of playing cards from a deck of playing cards, each of the playing cards having indicia that denotes a key signature and a scale degree;
(iii) matching the key signature or scale degree referred to by the drawn card with either the key signature or the scale degree indicated on the game board;
and
(iv) repeating steps (ii) through (iii) until cards are matched to each of the plurality of spaced apart indicia.

13 more elements

A method of playing an educational music theory game, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a game board depicting a path of movement that includes a set of piano keys, a finishing stage, and a plurality of stores, each store designating a different category of music theory, one of which is rhythm, tempo and time signatures;
(b) spinning a spinner to randomly indicate one of a note name and an interval;
(c) moving a playing pawn along the set of piano keys by matching one of the note name and interval indicated by the spinner with the corresponding key on the set of piano keys;
(d) repeating steps (b) and (c) until the playing pawn is moved into and occupies one of the stores;
(e) answering a question regarding the category of music theory designated by the occupied store;
(f) repeating step (e) until a predetermined number of questions are answered correctly;
(g) collecting a token indicating completion of the occupied store once the predetermined number of questions are answered correctly;
(h) repeating steps (b) through (g) until a token is collected from each of the plurality of stores;
(i) moving the playing pawn to the finishing stage and answering a predetermined number of questions correctly to complete the game;
and
(j) playing a focus game related to rhythm, tempo and time signatures if a predetermined number of questions are answered incorrectly in step (e) for the store that represents rhythm, tempo and time signatures, the focus game further developing understanding of rhythm, tempo and time signatures and comprising the steps of:
(i) providing a focus game board having a plurality of spaced apart indicia, wherein each of the indicia portrays a one-measure rhythm;
(ii) drawing a playing card from a deck of playing cards, the playing card having indicia that denotes a time signature and a one measure rhythm;
(iii) spinning a spinner to randomly indicate a tempo;
(iv) performing the indicated rhythm at the indicated tempo and time;
and
(v) repeating steps (i) through (iv) to better understanding of rhythm, tempo and time.

14 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 11/247,077Filed 11 Oct 2005 · us provisional application
Priority: 12 Oct 2004
Published: US 2006/0076733 A113 Apr 2006
Granted: 5 Feb 2008
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification7 codes

A63F 3/00119
Types of board games: board games concerning music, theatre, cinema, or art
A63F 9/18
Games not otherwise provided for: question-and-answer games
A63F 2003/00018
Board games played along a linear track, e.g. game of goose, snakes and ladders, along an endless track: played along an endless track
A63F 2003/00025
Played along an endless track: with a star-shaped track inside, e.g. trivial pursuit