88 free music games online in 2021
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Last updated Music teachers, both private and school, have been handed a huge challenge by the coronavirus: deliver lessons online and do it now.
We know how hard this is and so, to help, here’s a list of 88 free music education games online, categorised and individually checked to ensure they still work (at time of writing).
Many of these games are built on Flash which is has now been discontinued by Adobe, that’s why we also included some options of how to access the Flash games.
Jump to a section of this page:
How to make the games work (Flash)​
When you first visit many of these games you will be greeted by an error message that will look similar to this:
Here’s how to enable Flash and get past this hurdle:
Laptops & Desktops (Win or Mac)
At time of writing there are no good free options to access Flash other than the free trial available for Windows or Mac with the Puffin Browser. Beyond the free trial you can opt for the premium version to continue accessing the Flash games.
Mobiles & Tablets
iPads and iPhones (iOS)
There’s no free solution to accessing Flash games on the iOS operating system for iPads and iPhones. However, there is a cost-effective app that works, it’s called Puffin Browser Pro.
On your iOS device, go to the App Store and search for Puffin browser, then purchase it (it’s $4.99 USD at time of writing). Next, browse back to this page using Puffin browser and all the games listed here should work.
Android tablets and phones
To play these Flash games on Android devices (phones and tablets), you have two options. Firstly, to install the FlashFox browser (for free) which comes with Flash enabled, or second, to opt for the paid or free version of Puffin Browser.
Music composition games
This section contains various games that enable students to compose music and rhythms without needing a real instrument.
Song Maker
Kandinsky
Create your own Kandinsky painting and listen to the sound it makes.
This game doesn’t require Flash.
Drag Music
Drag the blogs to compose your own music.
This game isn’t great to look at but it’s still quite fun.
Ear training games
This section includes games that train the ear to recognise notes, sounds and tones.
Note Pair Music Game
Pair each musical note card with the same note and clear the grid with as few tries as possible.
Channel Scramble
Match the correct instrument with the dominant sound from the channel.
Musical composers games
In this section, we list games that help students to learn about classical music composers and their works.
Composer Concentration
Match the name of the composer with the corresponding picture.
Musical vocabulary games
This section lists games that help students to learn music vocabulary either through recognition or via more practical demonstrations.
Musical Elements Matching
Match the word with the correct definition to win the game.
Mariachi Musical Quiz
Identify the correct meaning of the term to win this game.
Musical instrument games
For students who would like to know more about instruments in general, this section is perfect. Through games, guides and quizzes, students will learn while having fun.
Music Mania! Instrument Gameshow
Play a quiz game about identifying the correct instrument.
Instrument Gallery String Instruments
Click on each instrument to learn more about it.
Instrument Storage Room
Enter the Storage room to learn more about different instruments.
Young Person's Guide To The Orchestra
Play through this interactive guide to learn more about the Orchestra.
Instrument Lab
Click on the different members of the Orchestra to learn more about them.
Music Instrument Spin-Off
Identify the correct instrument to win this game show.
Instrument Family Football Quiz
Play a football game by answering the quiz questions.
Music Family Space Invaders
Complete a game of space invaders then answer the instrument quiz.
Mighty Music Man Instrument Quiz
Click on the correct instrument being asked for.
Identify The Instrument Families Quiz
Answer the questions correctly in this instrument family quiz.
Visit Identify The Instrument Families Quiz
Identify The Instrument Sounds
Match the correct instrument with the sound.
Visit Identify The Instrument Sounds
Instrument Concentration Game
Match the instruments with each other.
Instruments Of The Orchestra
Click on each of the instruments to learn more about the orchestra.
Musical notation games
Notation
This section is full of fun and interesting ways for students to improve their knowledge of musical notation.
Arpeggios
Learn more about arpeggios by clicking on the color wheel.
This game doesn’t require Flash.
Triad Flash Cards
Hone your skills in identifying triads using this flashcard game.
Interval Flash Cards
Train yourself on how to identify intervals using this quiz.
Online Piano Game
Listen to the melody and then press the key that identifies the correct pitch.
Word Warrior Bass Clef Music Quiz
Use the bass clef to identify the correct word.
Treble and Bass Clef Basketball Quiz
Answer the question to score in this quiz basketball game.
Flash Notes Keyboard
This version of Flash Notes is the same as Flash Notes (above) but with a virtual keyboard for input instead of letter names.
Flash Scale Degrees
Rhythm games
This section contains games that either involve creating rhythms or matching rhythms.
Rhythm
Create your own rhythm patterns by adding percussion notes.
This game doesn’t require Flash.
Sound Waves
Extra games
Here are a couple of extra music games that we really liked but which didn’t exactly fit into another classification.
Carnegie Hall: Interactive Music Map for Dvorak's Symphony No.9
This game provides a unique visual interpretation of a piece of music using animated images, activities, and stories.
Visit Carnegie Hall: Interactive Music Map for Dvorak’s Symphony No.9
Final thought
We hope this list saves music teachers and students a lot of time and research, and helps everyone on their way to musical success.
If you know of music games we’ve not listed above, feel free to leave a comment to let everyone know.
Great list! I’m excited to try out some of these music games. It’s always fun to find new ways to enjoy music while playing. Thanks for sharing!