The Dovetail Group

The Dovetail Group, Inc. was one of the earliest video game developers to specialize in music video games. The Dovetail Group's products were designed for systems such as the Atari [8-bit computers] and the Commodore 64. Notable games developed by The Dovetail Group include Halftime Battlin' Bands, Coco-Notes, and Movie Musical Madness. These games represent some of the earliest examples of the music management subgenre of music video games.

Games

Halftime Battlin' Bands

Published by CBS Software in 1984, Halftime Battlin' Bands is a multiplayer game that requires a player to compose a marching tune and then lead a rank of band members in complex formations to outmaneuver the opponent player. In order to prevent the other band from accomplishing their goals, a bench of weapons are available for use against the other band. As the two opposing teams compete, The Jazz Scats cheer for the team that is winning. The player is scored based on time it takes to complete a good routine and quality of the routine.
InfoWorld's Essential Guide to Atari Computers recommended the game among educational software for the Atari 8-bit.

Movie Musical Madness

Movie Musical Madness is a 1-player music management game in which the player takes the role of a musical film director as he attempts to create an appropriate score for, select an appropriate plot for, and direct the actions of his group of actors, The Jazz Scats. The Jazz Scats can be set to perform in dozens of scenes ranging from city scenes to jungle scenes to outer-space scenes.