Tuna Scales

OBJECTIVE:  In a crossword fashion, collect the most points by building 8-note sequences of musical scales. The scale is determined by the version you play. Either: build portions of Chromatic scales (Tonic to Dominant), or: build Modal scales in their entirity (Tonic to Tonic). See below for detailed game rules.

Tuna Scales — Game Rules

2-7 Players

Age 7+

~ Chromatic Tuna Scales ~

Classic Version, Full Deck.

approx. 1 hour.

~ Modal Tuna Scales ~

Bite Size Version, Edited Deck. Remove each 9, 10, J, Q, K card.

15 - 20 minutes per round.

Chromatic Tuna Scales: Seven cards to a hand

SETUP:

~ Chromatic Tuna Scales ~ Remove Jokers. Jokers can remain nearby for reference about chromatic scales. From the remaining full deck, deal seven cards face-down to each player.

~ Modal Tuna Scales ~ Remove Jokers and all 9s 10s Js Qs Ks. Jokers can remain nearby for reference about modes. From this edited deck, deal three cards face-down to each player.

Remaining cards form a draw-pile on the side of the table. Draw and place the top card face-up in table-centre, as a seed card. Agree on top-to-bottom and left-to-right table direction. The player to the left of the dealer begins. Gameplay proceeds in turns.

GAMEPLAY:

You will build scales like a crossword puzzle, using each card as the pitch named. 8s are wild. On your turn, play at least one card from your hand to add to either/both side(s) of a partial scale sequence already on the table. Place each card adjacent vertically or horizontally to cards in the sequence. Observe table direction. Enharmonics are interchangeable.

Modal Tuna Scales: Three Cards to a Hand.

When a sequence becomes 8 cards long, the player who completes the sequence flips the cards on both ends, or “tails”, of that sequence. The cards between the flipped tails are called “processed tuna”! All processed tuna cards begin face-up, and remain face-up during the flip.

Players may continue building sequences adjacent to all face-up cards.

If unable to play, discard any portion of your hand to the draw pile bottom. Replenish your hand: seven cards for Chromatic Tuna Scales or three cards for Modal Tuna Scales. The turn ends.

SCORING AND GAME END:

You will track points as you play, and also at the end of gameplay.

+1 point for each card played.

+8 additional points for each line of “processed tuna” (flipped tails) achieved.

Once the draw pile is depleted, players take one last turn. -1 point for each in-hand card leftover. Highest total wins.

Play three rounds for Modal Tuna Scales.

TUNA TAILS RANDOM BONUS POINTS:

At each game end, once your crossword is complete, and points are tallied, look at each pair of flipped tails.

~ Chromatic Tuna Scales ~ If your point total is even, +5 points for every flat (b) tail card. If your point total is odd, +5 points for every sharp (#) tail card. Fun fact: the notes in each pair of tails sound a perfect fifth apart.

~ Modal Tuna Scales ~ If your point total is even, +8 points for every pair of matching tail cards where the treble clef notes look different from each other. If your point total is odd, +18 points for every pair of tail cards where the bass clef notes look different from each other. Fun fact: the notes in each pair of tails are a perfect octave apart. On the five lines, this is what an octave looks like: space to line, or line to space.

Video: Modal Tuna Scales Gameplay

Two Examples of the Chromatic Scale:

C# | D | D# | E | F | F# | G | G# | A | A# | B | C | C#

Db | D | Eb | E | F | Gb | G | Ab | A | Bb | B | C | Db

During gameplay, enharmonic cards are interchangeable. For example, you may play either a C# or a Db in the same spot, regardless of whether other cards established in the sequence are # or b.

Examples of each Modal Scale:

Ionian (aka major mode)        C D E F G A B C

Dorian                                                        D E F G A B C D

Phrygian                                                    E F G A B C D E

Lydian                                                        F G A B C D E F

Mixolydian                                               G A B C D E F G

Aeolian (aka natural minor mode)   A B C D E F G A

Locrian                                                      B C D E F G A B

Parting Thoughts:

What is the difference between the modes? Each mode has a unique sound, because the distances between the notes are not all the same. For example, the distance from A to B is called a whole-tone, but B to C is a half-tone. [C D E F G A B C] makes a major scale, starting with C to D whole-tone and D to E whole-tone, wheras [A B C D E F G A] makes a minor scale, starting with A to B whole-tone and B to C semi-tone. They sound different, even though they have the same key signature. This took forever for some of us to figure out as beginners, especially when singing harmonies, so now you know too.