Name that tune
You’ll need
- Percussion instruments (for example, shakers, bells, or drums)
Before you begin
Gather your instruments. If you don’t have access to instruments, you could make some simple shakers by putting rice or dried pulses and beans into boxes, tins, or bottles with lids. You could also use large biscuit or sweet tins as drums.
Name that tune
- Everyone should split into small groups of about three or four people.
- Each group should find a space in the meeting place. They should work together to choose a song that everyone in the group knows.
- The person leading the activity should give each group some instruments. Each group should practise performing the song they chose. They can use their voices to hum or whistle, play an instrument, clap, or beat out a rhythm on another part of their body.
- Once all of the groups have had a chance to practice, everyone should gather back together.
- One group should perform their tune. Each of the other groups some talk together to try and guess the tune – they’ll need to work together to come up with one answer that everyone agrees on.
- Once each group has an answer, they should take it in turns to share their guess. The group that performed should tell them whether they’re right or not.
- All of the groups should guess, until someone gets it right. If none of the groups guess it, the performing group could give a clue, or perform again.
- Everyone should repeat steps five to seven, until everyone has had a turn at performing a song for others to guess.
Song suggestions
If you're in need of some inspiration, consider using one of these famous tunes:
Nursery rhymes
- Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star
- The Wheels on the Bus
- Oranges and Lemons
- Ten Green Bottles
Campfire sing-a-longs
- Kumbaya
- Kookaburra
- London's Burning
- Alice The Camel
Popular songs
- Macarena
- Let it Go
- Cotton Eye Joe
- YMCA
Reflection
This game needed everyone to work together to rehearse and then perform a song for other people. Working together to practice and guess can be really tricky, so well done to everyone who supported each other. This activity also needed everyone to be confident. Performing in front of other people can be nerve wracking. How did people feel before the activity started? Did anyone find it was a bit easier to perform because they were in a group, not on their own? Does anyone have any advice for anyone who feels nervous while performing or being in front of others? People may suggest taking a deep breath, standing tall, or smiling. The way the audience reacts can also help people to feel less nervous. Did the audience help by smiling or getting excited, especially when they thought they knew the tune?
Safety
All activities must be safely managed. You must complete a thorough risk assessment and take appropriate steps to reduce risk. Use the safety checklist to help you plan and risk assess your activity. Always get approval for the activity, and have suitable supervision and an InTouch process.
- Rubbish and recycling
All items should be clean and suitable for this activity.
- Music and films
Make sure music and films are age appropriate for the youngest person present.
Make the challenge harder by introducing a time limit. Now, each team can only perform a certain amount of their tune, for example, 10 or 20 seconds.
Everyone can play to their strengths; it’s up to them whether they want to hum, beat a rhythm, or clap.
All Scout activities should be inclusive and accessible.
Groups could rehearse and then perform the whole song to the other groups, or even to parents and carers. Why not add the words back in, and practice until the song is the best it can be? Then everyone would be ready to hold a concert and enjoy performing to an audience.