Memory

Simon Says

Remember the color sequence

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About Simon Says

Simon plays a sequence of colours and sounds, and you repeat it back. Each round adds one more step, so the sequence grows until you make a mistake.

The pairing of colour with sound is doing real work. Two channels of information are easier to hold together than either alone, which is why players routinely exceed their visual-only span.

How to play

  1. 1Watch and listen as the sequence plays.
  2. 2Repeat it back by pressing the colours in the same order.
  3. 3Each round you complete adds another step to the sequence.
  4. 4A single wrong press ends the run.

Reaching longer sequences

  • Use the sounds as much as the colours. The tones form a melody, and a melody is far easier to remember than a list of colours.
  • Chunk the sequence into groups of three or four rather than holding it as one long chain.
  • Watch the whole sequence before you begin responding. Starting early is the most common cause of an error.
  • Keep a steady pace when repeating. Rushing the middle of a long sequence is where most mistakes occur.

Frequently asked questions

How long a sequence can most people manage?

Most players reach somewhere between eight and fifteen steps. The sound cues push this well beyond typical visual memory span, because the tones form a melody you can hum back.

Why does adding sound make it easier?

Because you encode the sequence twice, once visually and once as a tune. Two channels are more robust than one, and melodic memory is particularly durable.

Does one mistake end the game?

Yes. A single incorrect press ends the run, which is what makes the later rounds tense.