How to Pick Music for Game Night

Every party works better with music, but game night requires a delicate touch when picking the tunes. You want to promote a light atmosphere and a fun environment without overwhelming the task at hand. When you pick music for game night, make sure that it adds to the evening and doesn't prove bothersome or distracting.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• CD or MP3 player
• CDs or MP3s
• Music download software

1. Pick a theme or tone for your music that reflects the games you intend to play. Sport-related games might go well with college fight songs, while board games based on journeys or quests could be enhanced with epic symphonies.
2. Select tracks with the intention of using them as background sound: music that enhances the mood without calling attention to itself. Instrumental music, such as classical pieces and film scores, allow people to get into the spirit of things without them straining to hear the lyrics. Popular music works if people already know the words by heart or if it fits the theme of game night.
3. Burn a mix CD of music that fits your particular game night. You can make specific themes come together by blending songs from a number of different CDs, and an overall "game night mix" can lend your get-together a good sense of distinctiveness.
4. Search for music you might not be familiar with, but which fits in with your chosen theme. Selecting music people haven't heard before can help make the evening memorable. Sites like Napster and iTunes have playlists that can help you match songs you like with similar-theme songs that may match up well with it (see Resources below).
5. Start the music when the first guest arrives. Keep the sound levels audible, but quiet. The music should be loud enough to hear, but not so loud that people have to shout or raise their voices when they speak.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep the age and the tastes of your fellow gamers in mind. Try to select music that everyone will like, and avoid songs with harsh language or offensive lyrics if you feel that any of your guests won't approve.
• Pick enough music to fill the whole evening. You'll want to have at least 3 or 4 hours worth of music ready when the party begins. If your equipment allows it, try to have all the music cued and ready so you don't have to stop the games and change the CD.

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