Activity Library

Name That Tune

Barak Malichi

A simple listening game where participants guess a familiar song from just a few notes, chords, claps, or lyric hints.

ListeningGamesGuessing gameTeam gameAll ages

Goals

Build listening, memory, group excitement, and connection to shared songs.

Equipment

Instrument, voice, or speaker. Optional paper for team scores.

Duration

5-15 minutes

Age group

All ages

Group size

5-80

Energy

Medium

Musical level

Beginner friendly

Best setting

Indoor or outdoor

Preparation

Choose 8-12 songs the group is likely to know. Mix easy songs with a few harder ones.

1Split the group into teams, or play as one whole group.
2Play, sing, hum, or clap the first few seconds of a song.
3Let participants guess the song title.
4If nobody gets it, give a second clue, such as the rhythm, first chord, theme, or a non-spoiler hint.
5After the song is guessed, sing a short piece of it together before moving on.
6To make it longer, use categories such as camp songs, Shabbat songs, Disney-style songs, throwbacks, or songs from the current session.
7To make it more challenging, use only rhythm, only chords, only the ending, or a very short one-second clue.