Free note identification game for all platforms and devices
With its Star Wars-style space theme, Staff Wars has long been a favourite note identification game of music teachers around the world. Even though I’ve been using it in workshops and conference presentations – since 2009 I think (!!) – there are still teachers who are still discovering the game. It works equally well for classroom teachers, studio instrumental teachers and ensemble leaders and can be played by individual students or by a group (see below for suggested ways of playing).
Versions of Staff Wars
There are two versions of the program:
StaffWars (original version)
As a note comes flying across the stave, students need to identify it by pressing a letter name on the computer keyboard, by clicking the note name on the screen or by tapping on the surface of the interactive whiteboard or iPad screen. If identified correctly, a space ship will shoot the note. If the answer is incorrect, or the note reaches the clef before an answer is given, you will lose a life.
There is a choice of three clefs: treble, bass and alto. If you haven’t updated your version of Staff Wars 1 for a while, go and do it now because there is also a choice of note range in the current updated version. As you progress through the levels, the speed that the notes appear increases.
This version of StaffWars is available for Mac or Windows, or iPad and Android devices. The desktop version (Mac or Windows) is free, while the app versions will cost you a dollar or two (well worth it!).
Staff Wars Live
Staff Wars Live works in the same way as version 1, but instead of selecting the note on the screen, you can play the note on your instrument. Staff Wars “listens” to your note and if it’s correct, the space ship will shoot the note. If it’s incorrect, or the note reaches the clef, you’ll lose a life.
This version of Staff Wars is available for iPads only here. In the past, there was a desktop version for Mac and Windows but it is no longer being developed.
The Basics – Staff Wars Version 1
1. Launch the game
2. Click on Range – each time you click it will cycle through preset note-range options (full range, reduced range, lines only, spaces only)
3. Click on your choice of clef – game will launch
4. Choose whether to Hide or Show answers (the answer only appears when you guess the note name incorrectly)
5. Click Start. A note appears on the stave – identify it by using the buttons on the screen (if you’re at a desktop computer, press the letter on the computer keyboard). You will lose a life if a note is identified incorrectly, or if the note reaches the clef before being identified. After 10 notes are answered correctly, the game will “level up” and the speed the notes appear increases.
How to play so EVERY student in your class gets involved – even with just ONE computer/iPad
Game #1 Whole-class game with one computer or iPad
You can play a class game using Staff Wars on just one computer or iPad which is connected to a data projector so that the whole class can see. Students take turns to come up to the front and identify the notes. The rest of the class can help by calling out the answers. Switch students after an agreed number of notes (5 or 10 works well). Don’t forget that the speed will increase after every 10 correct notes. If you want your students to stay on the slowest levels – 1 and 2 – you’ll have to “kill off” the game on purpose and then start again.
Game #2 Dual team game with one computer or iPad
Divide the class into two teams and have each team choose a representative. The first team rep comes up to the board and that team plays the game (with team members calling out note names to the team rep) until they lose their three lives. Make a note of the level and number of correct notes. The second team plays and tries to beat the first team score.
Game #3: Individual student game with one computer or iPad
- The teacher sits at the computer (or tablet) and operates the game.
- The students watch screen and write their answers down on a score card (see download link below for a printable score card). They can enter a cross if they don’t know the answer.
- The teacher correctly identifies each note while playing the game (but secretly – without the students knowing!) just before it reaches the clef AND writes down the answer on their own score card (again, secretly) so there is a record of the notes for correction purposes
- When finished, the students swap score cards and correct each other’s answers by comparing the results to the teacher’s list. Students can keep their score card and aim to improve their score each week.
Click here to download your free printable Staff Wars score cards
Game #4: Individual student game with multiple computers or iPads
If you have access to multiple devices, students can play individually. The app does not save scores each individual student, but you can take a screenshot of the iPad/tablet screen or the computer screen or simply record the results on the printable score card I’ve provided in the downloads section.
The Basics – StaffWars Live
The great thing about Staff Wars version 2 is that you can play your instrument to identify the note! The other main benefits are that you have more control over the range of notes. You can select a range of just 2 or three notes if that’s all your students have learnt. You also have control over the speed. You can set the speed to anything from incredibly slow, to super-fast! StaffWars Live is currently only available for iPads (you can still download the desktop version, but it is no longer being developed and does not work on all platforms).
1. Launch the game. Two windows will open – the game and a small Test MIDI window
2. Choose your instrument from the drop-down menu
3. Select the range of notes to be tested
4. Select the number of notes
5. Select the speed. Speed 1 is VERY slow and speed 20 is VERY fast! You might like to try a few speeds to find which one will suit your students
6. Play your instrument to test the sound. The sound is picked up through the microphone of the computer or tablet you’re using, so make sure you’re standing close enough for your instrument to be “heard”. Make adjustments to the input level if necessary
7. Press Start
StaffWars Live Games: using just one computer, or multiple devices
You can use Staff Wars 2 for the games listed above, but this time you or the students will play the note on your instrument instead of selecting the note name on the computer keyboard or screen.
Free download: student score cards
I’ve created three score cards for students:
1. A shorter game version (20 notes per game) – for game-play involving a single computer/tablet and many students
2. A longer game version (40 notes per game) – for game-play involving a single computer/tablet and many students
3. An individual score sheet – for students playing by themselves on a computer/tablet
Click the download button below, fill in your details and we’ll send the score cards straight to your inbox. You will also receive weekly music tech tips and news. You can unsubscribe at any time.
28 Comments
Hi Katie,
staffwars 2 doesn’t seem to work with win 10. It did for some single notes now and then, and I tried several mic devices. That would be great for my recorder pupil. Do you know whether it would work with the sounds of an e-piano? Accoustic piano obviously doesn’t.
Sonja
Hi Sonja – I believe that version of Staff Wars is no longer being updated. I think the developers are concentrating more on the iPad app versions at this stage. There’s a note on the downloads page of their website letting users know. I’ve used it with an electric piano with success but you might just need to give it a try on your PC. I have a Mac, so can’t say what will work successfully on your system!
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We have this game in music class to and you guys can play it
I introduced this to my 9th grade theory class this week. It was a hoot and a hit! I plan to continue using it periodically and attempt to raise scores. Thanks for the idea!
Hi Julie – thank you! I’m happy it went well. Good to know it’s a hit even with 9th grade students. They can be a tough crowd sometimes!
We have 3 Kindle Fires. It would be nice to have on those devices. We have three band students in our family. Any plans for those tablets?
Hi Sabrina – I’m not the developer of that software, I just made some score cards that you can use with Staff Wars. You could head over to their website and send them a message there to check perhaps?
can it work on smaller computers or ipod?
Hi Stacey – smaller computers should work fine, but not on iPods (iPad app only)
I’m having trouble with the link. The email i recieve just has a link to download 3 lesson plans – unrelated to Staffwars
Hi Michael – can you check your spam folder? The 3 lesson plans email is a bonus one (!) and the Staff Wars score cards come in a separate message. Occasionally it goes to spam but if you can’t find it, please email Michelle: support @ midnightmusic.com
Hi, I can’t get it to work on my macbook….
Hi Melanie – can you let us know what’s not working exactly? You filled in your info but haven’t received the download? Or you can’t open it? Or the button isn’t working?
I love it
Hi
I’d like to share this game with my students online while we are doing school at home because of Covid -19.
How can I share this with them on google classroom as a fun activity?
Hi Maria – you’re welcome to download the score cards and then upload them to your Google Classroom. The students will just need to download the free Staff Wars game onto their laptops at home (or purchase the app version).
Do you know if there’s a way to access Staff Wars now that Adobe Flash player is no longer supported? Many thanks
Staff Wars doesn’t actually use Flash – it’s a free downloadable app for Mac or Windows rather than a website (no longer being developed as far as I know so it may stop working at some point. Separately to that, there is a paid app available for iOS and Android
It no longer works for me. I like to use the live version on a big screen with my students, but the website doesn’t seem to work anymore on a PC. SOOO SAD!!!!! I don’t have access to use the app, only the online version. Are you able to advise if you can get it to work at the moment?
Unfortunately the developers have stopped updating the Mac and Windows versions and they’ve removed the software download from their website. The only way to use it now is via the iPad or Android app.
I am curious if the Staff Wars version 2 works correctly if a piano is out of tune? Thanks for any input.
It’s unlikely, but it might depend on how out of tune it is. The further away from the correct pitch, the less likely the app will recognise the note.
Where can I find the downloadable app for Windows? I have tried everywhere and no go.
Hi there!
I’d love to download your staff wars score cards- when I download it, nothing is sent to my email. I’d love to use those score cards in class. My email is eva.young@nisd.net. Thanks! Eva
Staff Wars score cards are not downloading or going to email. Can you please help?
Hi Katie
Do you know if it is possible to get Staff Wars for Chrome books?
Thanks
Chris
I believe it’s only possible to use the Android app version (via the Google Play Store) – if you and your students have Chromebooks that can install Android apps. I think that the company may have had a Chromebook version in the past but they seemed to have streamlined their products in the past year or two. There’s an email address to contact them on this page (it mentions subscriptions for Chromebooks at the top) so you could check directly with them that way (if you think to report back here when you have an answer, that would be much appreciated!).