open · Icebreaker, Team Building · 15–20 min · 8-40 people · high energy
Name That Tune
Name That Tune is a musical guessing game that energizes groups and fosters friendly competition. By identifying song titles or artists from short snippets, participants engage in active listening and shared nostalgia.
When to use Name That Tune
Use this activity to kick off a meeting, training session, or social gathering to create a lively atmosphere and encourage interaction among participants of all ages.
What it solves
Lack of energy or engagement at the start of a session; generational gaps hindering team cohesion.
How to run Name That Tune, step by step
- Prepare a playlist of short snippets from popular songs, varying in genre and era. (30 minutes before session)
- Divide participants into teams or have them play individually. (5 minutes)
- Play each song snippet and have participants write down their guesses for the song title and/or artist. (10-15 minutes)
- Collect the answers and award points for each correct guess. The team or individual with the most points wins. (5 minutes)
Materials needed
- Pre-selected music playlist
- Music playback device
- Paper and pens for participants
- Timer
Facilitator tips
- Vary the difficulty of the song snippets to cater to different musical tastes and knowledge levels.
- Encourage teams to collaborate and discuss their guesses before submitting their answers.
Common pitfalls
- Uneven distribution of musical knowledge within teams. Encourage more knowledgeable members to support others.
- Technical difficulties with music playback. Test the equipment beforehand.
Variations
- Play longer snippets for a more challenging game.
- Focus on a specific genre or era of music.
- Incorporate karaoke as a follow-up activity.
Running it online or hybrid
Use a shared music streaming service and virtual breakout rooms for teams to confer.
What it produces
A list of correctly identified songs and artists; a winning team or individual.
Origin
Adapted from Playmeo — source
Build a session around Name That Tune
METODIC places Name That Tune inside a complete, timed session plan — agenda, worksheets, facilitator guide and slides — matched to your group and goal.