In this post, I share with you this handy collection of some of the best online music games to use with your kids and students to help them learn music.
These games offer learners the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in playing and creating music, without needing access to expensive instruments or professional-level instruction.
Playing music games, students will be able to develop skills at their own pace, explore different types of music genres, increase confidence in playing instruments, and practice specific techniques.
The games also provide an enjoyable way for students to reinforce what they have learned in the classroom, or even teach themselves new skills without need for any external guidance.
Online Music Games
Here are our top picks for online music games:
1. PBS Music Games
PBS features a section packed with music games that allow students to learn about various musical topics, such as tone recognition and tempo. The games also teach important concepts like instrumentation and song structure in a fun and engaging way.
2. Chrome Music Lab
Chrome Music Lab is an online music platform created by Google that allows users to explore and learn music through hands-on experiments and games. The platform consists of over a dozen different modules, all designed to help students learn about music, understand the concepts behind different instruments, and play music online without any special equipment or knowledge.
“Many teachers have been using Chrome Music Lab as a tool in their classrooms to explore music and its connections to science, math, art, and more. They’ve been combining it with dance and live instruments.”
3. Music games, Classics for Kids
Classics for Kids offers free access to a wide range of music games that can be played online. These include Compose Your Own Music games, Match the Rhythm games, Note Names games, Musical Terms, Instruments of the orchestra, Composer Map games, and more.
4. Music Games, Crazy Games
Crazy Games features a wide selection of interactive and fun music games for learners of all ages. These music games are designed to help players learn various skills including learn how to play piano, match rhythms, how to control an opera performed by blobs, and many more.
5. Solfeg.io
Solfeg.io is an online music game designed to help students learn how to read and play music. It offers a step-by-step approach that introduces users to concepts such as rhythm, pitch, melody and harmony in a fun and interactive way.
6. Lagged Music Games
Lagged offers a large library of free online music games that can be accessed from any device and browser. Players compete against each other, earn points and rewards, and learn musical skills in fun and engaging ways. Some of its best music games include Choir, Magic Tiles, Tiles Hop, Blob Opera, Piano Online, and many more.
7. Poki Music Games
Poki offers a wide range of free music games covering various types of musical challenges from instrument-based to mixing and DJ’ing. Students can learn to play musical instruments with real songs.
Students can also play in bands, take music lessons, learn music theory, learn how to read notes, and how to blend beats and become DJs. Some of the best Poki music games include: Pink, Friday Night Funkin’, Rocking Wheels, and Celebrity BFFs Festival Fun.
8. Incredibox
Incredibox is an online game that allows users to create their own mixes of beats and melodies by simply dragging and dropping musical elements onto a virtual avatars. As players progress through the game, they can unlock new avatars, effects, and instruments to expand their musical creations. Incredibox is a great game for students to explore their creativity and gain hands-on experience with music production.
Related: Top Royalty Free Music Sources for School Projects
9. Musicca
Musicca is another good platform that offers a wide variety of music materials to help students learn and develop their musical skills. Musicca offers lessons, exercises, and interactive tools to help students learn to read music, play instruments, and understand music.
“Musicca incorporates game elements into the learning process. Achievements, streaks, and points help to motivate your students and keep them engaged while they learn.”
10. SonTrivia2
SonTrivia2 is a music quiz game that enables users to play online either individually or with friends and other players. Players are to listen to music clips and use the multiple choice questions to guess the name of the singer.
The way it works is simple and easy: you start by choosing a category (e.g. Pop, Rock, Country, Metal, Latino, Dance, etc) then start listening to clips. The key is to beat the timer and come up with the correct name of the artist.
11. Bemuse
Bemuse is a web-based rhythm game that you can play by “pressing the correct keys on the keyboard along with the music. The more accurately you recreate the music, the higher score you get! There are more than 40 songs for you to choose from various genres.” You can play the game alone or use the party mode to play with friends.
12. Inside the Orchestra
Inside the Orchestra, a nonprofit organization, offers tons of music learning materials designed for kids and young learners. Its online music games cover various subjects including musical concepts, musical instruments, creative expressions, and more.
Simply select the subject matter you are interested in and click to access its games. For instance, the Musical Concepts games include Dynamics, Highs and Lows, Musical Maps, and Pick the Tempo.
The Educational Benefits of Music Games
Integrating music games in your teaching can have several educational benefits. Hein (2014) discussed a number of these benefits including:
- Increased Engagement: Music games make learning fun, turning the hard work of mastering music into a playful experience, which keeps students more engaged.
- Immediate Feedback: These games offer instant visual and auditory feedback, helping students correct mistakes in real-time without waiting for teacher input.
- Reduced Performance Anxiety: Games provide a safe, private space for students to practice and perform, lowering the stress and anxiety often associated with music learning.
- Cultural Relevance: Music games often feature popular music, making the learning material more relatable and motivating for students.
- Enhanced Flow State: Well-designed games promote deep concentration and flow, keeping students absorbed in the learning process.
- Support for Aural Learning: These games help students learn by ear from recordings, mirroring the way popular musicians often learn.
- Accessibility and Differentiation: Music games offer multiple difficulty levels and self-pacing, making them accessible to students with varying skill levels.
- Potential for Creativity: Some music games and toys encourage improvisation and creative expression, giving students opportunities to explore and create music.
Final thoughts
Exploring music education through online games opens up a world of possibilities for students. From enhanced engagement to creative expression and enhanced flow state, these games make learning music more accessible, enjoyable, and pedagogically beneficial. I invite you to check them out and share with us your feedback.
References:
Hein, E. (2014). Music games in education. Learning, Education and Games, 93.Retrived from: https://dl.acm.org/doi/pdf/10.5555/2811147.2811153
