Let’s play:
What’s the note, Maestro Wolfgang?
Maestro Wolfgang, better known as Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, 1756-1791, was possibly the greatest musician that ever lived!
This simple game is based on “What’s the time Mister Wolf”, in case you didn’t guess!
Nominate a “Maestro” or conductor – this is usually the teacher at first, with the students taking turns at it once they have got the idea.
The Maestro stands at the front, the rest of the students sitting or standing in a line so they can all see the Maestro clearly.
The children chant in unison (all together): “What’s the note Maestro Wolfgang?”
The Maestro calls out a note – it can be any note that the students know and can play e.g. A, B, C, D, E, F, G as well as flats and sharps e.g. Bb, F# etc. You may want to have a poster or other display showing the available notes and how to play them. E.g. this one on our google drive.
The Maestro then conducts and/or counts 1, 2, 3, 4 and the children have to play that note for as long as the Maestro indicates, e.g. by conducting, or holding arms up etc.
They should continue to conduct for a few bars before bringing the note to an end with a clear flourish, or by saying “stop”.
Once the note is ended, the other students should chant “What’s the note, Maestro Wolfgang?” again, and so the game continues with a new note.
Instead of giving a new note, the Maestro can end their turn by saying “All of them!”. They should still conduct the start of the note but, this time, the other students can play any notes they like and make a lot of noise, until the Maestro indicates they are to stop!
No blowing loudly into anyone’s ears!
Next, someone else has a go at being the Maestro.
This games helps build confidence in the student playing the Maestro, and it helps all the students to consolidate knowledge of how to play different notes.
It is also an opportunity for the Maestro to learn how to conduct and it encourages the other students to pay attention to the Maestro so they know when to start and stop.
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