How to Make your Own Music Theory Dice

Music Theory dice are a great tool to have in your piano teacher arsenal! They can be used for a variety of activities within a lesson, including:

  • Review music theory concepts
  • Play music theory games
  • Test your student’s knowledge on a specific concept
  • Propose challenges for a student
  • Compose

There are many pre-made options available on the market but I love the flexibility of a DIY set of music theory dice. I can cater them to a specific game and I can cover WAY more concepts (there may not always be pre-made dice available for what I would like to work on with my students).

I’m going to share two different dice you could try out: one is a reusable option and the other is a semi-permanent solution which can be used over over again (but can always be changed up if you’d like).

Reusable Music Theory Dice

The reusable option is a dry-erase die which can be easily used over and over again for whatever concept you with to work on with your students.

Hand holding a purple dry erase die with the letters A, B and D written on its sides in black marker. In the background are three other dice (a red one, a blue one and a green one) along with a dry-erase marker and eraser.

I especially like this particular dry-erase dice set because the whiteboard of the dice is lower and therefore protected by the colored elevated borders. This keeps what is written on the whiteboard from being rubbed off when the dice are rolled and also gives kids a good place to hold the dice so their fingers don’t erase the text.

A hand holds a black dry-erase marker. It is drawing a quarter note on a purple dry-erase die. Three other dice sit in the background, a blue one, a red one, and a green one.

They are also great for younger kids since they are bigger and easy for them to handle.

Semi-Permanent Music Theory Dice

This is an excellent option for things you would like to use over and over again. I use these blank dice and labels.

15 blank white dice sit on a lighten wood table along with a page of 2 inch by 4 inch white labels.

I just write (or print out) the concept I want to drill on the label, cut it down to size, and stick it to the blank die. You can use a single label to cover all the sides of a die… and still have a lot leftover to use later.

Three pictures show the process of creating a music theory die. The first step shows a hand drawing a quarter note in black pen on a white label. The second step shows scissors cutting out the quarter note. The third step is to stick the label with the quarter note onto the blank die.

If I plan to use the die a lot, I also apply a layer of Mod Podge to protect the labels.

A hand holding a paint brush is applying a layer of Mod Podge sealant to the surface of a die.

If I ever need to change out the concept, it’s just a matter of peeling the label off the die.

With the dice all ready to go, it’s game time!!

Explore more creative teaching ideas
  • The Die of Destiny
    Speaking of dice, the Die of Destiny is a fun lesson starter when a student walks into my studio without their usual bounce in their step. I’ve found that a little silliness and a dash of chance gets them in the mood to pull out their piano books and play music!
  • Sky High Love
    Whose tower will remain standing in the end?!
    This adrenaline-inducing rhythm game is a great game to play with a homemade set of rhythm dice (just replace the rhythm sticks with dice!). AND it’s a great way to kick-off a lesson and get the energy up.

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