Shown above: the Monster Army

THE IDEA

About a year ago, I came across a study showing that kids learn faster through play than traditional studying. That got me thinking about the “heavy lifts” involved in learning to read music and how I could turn them into fun games. My goal was to break down the challenge of music reading into smaller, manageable core concepts that students could practice individually — allowing them to build their skills piece by piece, so they can then bring everything back together at their instrument.

I figured that if I focused on creating versions of classic childhood games that people already love to play, I might be onto something. While similar ideas have been done before, I hadn’t come across any that matched the level of thoughtful design, vibrant colors, and high-quality materials I had in mind. I shared this idea with Jeanette M.— an experienced piano teacher, piano academy owner, and my nephew’s former piano instructor. She introduced me to a game she’d been playing with beginner students for over 20 years, and this eventually became what is now Monster Dash. Thank you for the inspiration, Jeanette!

After months of testing and refining these games, the feedback has been encouraging. Teachers appreciate having a new tool to add flexibility to their lessons, classes, and music camps. But the best part is how much kids love playing the games—just as games! Watching them have fun while absorbing music concepts has been incredibly rewarding. By simplifying challenging ideas and focusing on fun, these games help make music more approachable and exciting for kids.

THANKS

I’d like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to the expert teachers and musicians who welcomed my ideas and generously beta-tested my designs: Jeanette M. and her teachers at FPA, Robin C., and Dar M. Their encouragement, eagle-eyed attention to detail, and thoughtful feedback were invaluable in shaping these games.

Thank you so much!! — L

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SIDENOTE: The teachers who helped test and refine these games have a combined **163 YEARS** of experience!

THE MATERIALS

From the very beginning, it was important to me that these games felt special—something that stood out from typical cardboard or plastic games. Music is meaningful and valuable, and I wanted every component to reflect that significance in a way kids could appreciate, even if subconsciously.

After extensive research (and too many failed tests), I settled on materials that are both durable and satisfying to use. The game pucks are made of wood, with a warm, smooth feel. The playing mat is soft and inviting, and the cards are printed on high quality linen-textured paper. I wanted every element to feel as special as the music it’s helping kids learn. 

THE GAMES

The number of students who can play at once depends on how you set it up. If you had the full suite of all game pieces and a few extra sets of pucks, you could have 30 students (or more?) playing across five different game stations at the same time. Alternatively, the games also work with only two players in a lesson or family setting.

These first few games tackle the core concepts of learning music, but they’re just the beginning of what’s possible with these pieces. Every teacher I’ve worked with has adapted and refined the games to fit their unique teaching style and the needs of their students, exactly as I’d hoped. Because my goal isn’t to provide a definitive set of games, but rather to make versatile tools that teachers, parents, and kids can use to explore, experiment, and have fun in the world of music.

My hope is to build a community where we can share ideas, new twists, and creative variations on these games. Let’s keep finding ways to make learning music monstrously enjoyable! 

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Be sure to send in any requests for expanded elements and additional game pieces you'd like to see. hello@monstermusicgames.com