Download
Instructions
How to Play
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1. Each player picks 4 chords from a specific Key
(Do not show other players).
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Note: 4 chords is a good start. You can pick less or more chords. But everyone should pick the same number of chords. One chord represents one ‘ship’.
Battle At Sea! (Guitar Game)
- Multiplayer game
- Age 7+
Resources needed:
1. Fretboard(s), with all notes, for each player
2. Sheet with keys and chords in each key
3. Beads or markers to cover over the notes on the
fretboard
4. Divider – Anything to make it so players can’t see each
other’s fretboards
2. a) On your fretboard, cover (with a bead) each note from the chords picked (open strings can be used)
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2 b) Pick one note, from one chord, on a given string to start. Then go up or down to a
different string for the remaining notes for that chord. Do this for all chords picked.
2 c) It is acceptable if a chord shares the same string and fret as another chord, but it’s best to
avoid this if possible.
3. Pick which person goes first.
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4. First player ‘attacks’ the other player by saying a string name and fret. For example: “Low E string, 3rd fret” Or if open string, “Low E string, Open”.
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5. If the opposing player has a note covered on that particular string and fret, then their chord ‘ship’ has been hit, and they have to take off the bead.
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6. If a player successfully ‘hits’ a ship, then they get to go again. Otherwise, it will be the other person’s turn.
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7. Game continues until one of the players has lost all their ships. Therefore, the player still having any notes on their fretboard covered will be declared the winner.
Pro Tips:
-For game to go faster, use less of the fretboard.
e.g. only use up to fret 7 (plus open strings).
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-You can try playing with more than 2 players, but you should then limit the number of times in a row that one player can be attacked.
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-If you can acquire it, give a prize to the person who wins!
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-On an actual guitar, try placing your fingers on the same three notes as one given chord triad that you picked for the game to make on the fretboard. Then firmly press down those fingers
on the actual guitar and use your other hand to strum only those given three strings. Therefore, you will have played a chord triad on the actual guitar!
-Learning what chords belong to what keys is very useful for learning and understanding songs.
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