This is a list of musical instruments that was played for each clue on Blue's Clues and Blue's Clues & You!. On some of the episodes, sound effects played to describe what the viewer is hearing.
Blue's Clues
Season 1
| Episodes | First Clue | Second Clue | Third Clue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snack Time | Xylophone | Oboe | Tuba |
| What Time Is It for Blue? | Chimes | Mandolin | Trumpet |
| Mailbox's Birthday | Piano | Güiro | Bass |
| Blue's Story Time | Wood blocks | Trombone | Bass Clarinet |
| What Does Blue Need? | Bubble popping sounds and PVC pipes | Electric guitar | Steel guitar |
| Blue's Favorite Song | Bassoon | Banjo | Piano |
| Adventures in Art | Electronic drums | Piano | Synthesizer |
| Blue Goes to the Beach | Acoustic guitar | Steel guitar | Whistling |
| A Snowy Day | Sleigh bells | Glockenspiel | Cello |
| The Trying Game | Tuba | Snare drum | Accordion |
| Pretend Time | Bass drum | Singing | Trumpet |
| Blue Wants to Play a Game | Bassoon | Oboe | Clarinet |
| The Grow Show | Maracas | Guitar | Mandolin |
| Blue Wants to Play a Song Game | Piano | Cymbals | Bass |
| What Does Blue Want to Make? | Theremin | Bouzouki | Accordion |
| What Story Does Blue Want to Play? | Bass | Bongo drums | Saxophone |
| Tickety's Favorite Nursery Rhyme | Bell | Guitar | Piccolo |
| What Is Blue Afraid Of? | Harp | Cello | Hooting sound |
| Magenta Comes Over | Steel drum | Piano | Maracas |
| Blue's News | Maracas | Maracas | Glockenspiel and bubble sounds |
Season 2
| Episodes | First Clue | Second Clue | Third Clue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steve Gets the Sniffles | Mandolin | Tuba | Clarinet |
| What Does Blue Want to Build? | Violin | Maracas | Glockenspiel |
| Blue's Senses | Guitar | Harmonica | Train sound |
| What Experiment Does Blue Want to Try? | Piano | Cymbal | Bubble sounds |
| What Does Blue Want to Make Out of Recycled Things? | Pan flute | Bongo drums | Jew's harp |
| What Was Blue's Dream About? | Harp | Piano | Flute |
| Blue's ABCs | Violin | Bass | Jew's harp |
| Math! | Vibraphone | Bongo drums | Saxophone |
| Blue's Birthday | Violin | Bongo drums | Talking drum |
| What Does Blue Want to Do with Her Picture? | Ukulele | Trombone | Trumpet |
| What Does Blue Want to Do on a Rainy Day? | Cymbals | Snare drum | Bass drum |
| Blue's Surprise at Two O'Clock | Electric guitar | Drumset | Organ |
| The Lost Episode! | Xylophone | Guitar | Djembe |
| Blue's Sad Day | Xylophone | Saxophone | Xylophone |
| What Game Does Blue Want to Learn? | Vibraphone | Clarinet | Log drum |
| What Did Blue See? | Wood blocks | Shaman drum | Native American flute |
| Nurture! | Piano | Wood blocks | Acoustic guitar |
| Blue Is Frustrated | Timpani drums | Piano | Maracas |
| What Is Blue Trying to Do? | Trombone | Marching band drum | Trumpet |
| Mechanics! | Flute | Cymbal brush | Koto |
Season 3
| Episodes | First Clue | Second Clue | Third Clue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blue's Big Treasure Hunt | Ukulele | Bass | Steel guitar |
| Art Appreciation | Cymbal | Flute | Chimes |
| Weight and Balance | Oboe | Vibraphone | Timpani drums |
| What's That Sound? | Water drop sounds | Wind sound | Thunder sound |
| Animal Behavior! | Kazoo | Glockenspiel | Bassoon |
| Blue's Big Pajama Party | Guitar | Mandolin | Accordion |
| Draw Along with Blue | Bass | Guitar | Maracas |
| Hide and Seek | Güiro and ringing sounds | Violin plucks | Clarinet |
| Thankful | Accordion | Flute | Conga Drums |
| Blue's Big Holiday | Bass | Synthesizer | Rattle |
| Pool Party | Bongo drums | Bass | Steel drum |
| Anatomy | Woman humming | Clarinet | Xylophone |
| Signs | Vibraphone | Banjo | Cymbals |
| Nature | Harp | Flute | Bass |
| Geography | Electric bass | Guitar | Trombone |
| Occupations | Xylophone | Bass | Cymbal |
| Blue's Big Mystery | Bass | Electric guitar | Saxophone and trumpet |
| Periwinkle Misses His Friend | Piano | Bass | Ukulele |
| Blue's Big Musical | Bass | Snare drums | Piano |
| What's So Funny? | Xylophone | Xylophone | Xylophone |
| Blue's Big Costume Party | Cello | Glockenspiel | Squeak sound |
| Inventions | Bass | Timpani | Kazoo |
| Blue's Play | Banjo | Bass | Violin |
| Prehistoric Blue | Metallophone | Drums | Xylophone |
| The Wrong Shirt | Bell and güiro | Galactic sounds | Bell and güiro |
| Words | Piano | Bass | Drumset |
| Shy | Pizzicato strings | Synthesizer | Bass |
| Magenta Gets Glasses | Acoustic guitar | Steel guitar | Maracas |
| Environments | Mexican guitar | Maracas | Electric guitar |
| Stormy Weather | Bass | Chimes | Maracas and Sleigh bells |
| Blue's Collection | Steel guitar | Bass | Jew's harp |
| Café Blue | Accordion | Mandolin | Accordion |
Season 4
| Episodes | First Clue | Second Clue | Third Clue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Imagine Nation | Keyboard | Bass guitar | Synthesizer |
| Adventure | Crumhorn | Timpani drums | Trombone and trumpet |
| The Anything Box | Fairground organ | Snare drums | Clarinet |
| Superfriends | Bubble popping sounds | Water sloshing sound | Shaker |
| What's New, Blue? | Accordion | Mandolin | Man humming |
| Blue's New Place | Bass | Piano | Harmonica |
| Mr. Salt and Mrs. Pepper Day | Maracas | Blue singing | Bass |
| The Baby's Here! | Rattle | Acoustic guitar | Theremin |
| Making Changes | Saxophone | Singing | Trumpet |
| Bugs! | Violin | Flute | Bass |
| ¡Un Día Con Plum! | Guitar | Castanets | Bongo drums |
| What's Inside? | Piano | Bass | Music box |
| Blocks | Xylophone | Xylophone | Bass xylophone |
| Let's Boogie | Bassoon | Flute | Clarinet |
| Blue's Backyard Ballgame Bonanza | Trombone | Jug | Trumpet |
| Let's Plant | Keyboard | Clarinet | Trombone |
| Rhyme Time | Ukulele | Steel guitar | Vibraphone |
| Puppets | Tin whistle | Bodhrán | Bagpipes |
| Blue's Book Nook | Ukulele | Bass | Whistling |
| Joe's First Day | Bassoon | Oboe | Quacking sound |
| Joe Gets a Clue | Piano | Saxophone | Bass |
| Steve Goes to College | Xylophone | Trumpet | Triangle |
Season 5
| Episodes | First Clue | Second Clue | Third Clue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Can You Help? | Violin | Timpani drums | Harp |
| Colors Everywhere! | Electric guitar | Bass | Banjo |
| The Snack Chart | Drumset | Bass guitar | Organ |
| The Big Book About Us | Bass | Electric guitar | Organ |
| Playing Store | Keyboard | Trumpet | Bass |
| Patience | Wood blocks | Cowbell | Flute |
| Joe's Surprise Party | Güiro | Bassoon | Shaker |
| I'm So Happy! | Bass | Steel guitar | Violin |
| The Boat Float | Accordion | Piccolo | Siren |
| Bedtime Business | Cello | Accordion | Castanets |
| Shape Searchers | Cash register | Drumset | Marimba |
| Blue Goes to the Doctor | Piano | Flute | Trombone |
| Contraptions! | Triangle | PVC pipes | Whistling |
| A Brand New Game | Flute | Electric Guitar | Harp |
| A Surprise Guest | Piano | Trumpet | Trombone |
| Dress Up Day | Fiddle | Violin | Bass |
| Blue's Big Band | Cuíca | Xylophone | Wood blocks |
| Up, Down, All Around! | Bass | Piano | Glockenspiel |
| Story Wall | Banjo | Bass | Music box |
| The Alphabet Train | Conga drum | Wood block | Saxophone |
| Numbers Everywhere! | Trombone | Trumpet | Trombone |
| Blue's Predictions | Cello | Ukulele | Fairground organ |
| The Scavenger Hunt | Organ | Bass | Drumset |
| Let's Write! | Organ | Bongo drums | Saxophone |
| Magenta's Messages | Triangle | Bass | Saxophone |
| Blue's First Holiday | Jingle bells | Bass | Piano |
Season 6
| Episodes | First Clue | Second Clue | Third Clue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blue's School | Accordion | Mandolin | Clarinet |
| Something To Do Blue | Piano | Cello | Violin |
| Meet Blue's Baby Brother | Piano | Synthesizer | Guitar |
Blue's Clues & You!
Season 1
| Episodes | First Clue | Second Clue | Third Clue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meet Josh! | Tuba | Harmonica | Banjo |
| Playdate with Magenta | Steel Drum | Piano | Maracas |
| Big News with Blue | Cello and Maracas | Accordion and Maracas | Xylophone |
| ABC's with Blue | Violin | Tuba | Boing Sound |
| 123's with Blue | Bongo Drums | Vibraphone | Trumpet |
| Sad Day with Blue | Xylophone | Steel Drum | Xylophone |
| Laugh with Blue | Xylophone | Xylophone | Xylophone |
| Song Time with Blue | Bassoon | Banjo | Piano |
| Getting Glasses With Magenta | Guitar | Steel Drum | Bongo Drums |
| Growing with Blue | Maracas | Guitar | Violin |
| Happy Birthday Blue | Guitar | Conga Drum | Wood Blocks |
| Story Time with Blue | Wood Blocks | Trumpet | Tuba |
| The Thinking Squad | Bubble Popping Sound | Cymbals | Xylophone and Drumset |
| Science with Blue | Piano | Shaker | Xylophone |
| Colors Everywhere with Blue | Bass | Bongo Drums | Guitar |
| Pajama Party with Blue | Ukulele | Harp | Bass |
| Spooky Costume Party with Blue | Violin | Harpsichord | Squeak Sound |
| Thankful with Blue | Violin and Xylophone | Clarinet | Maracas and Tuba |
| Getting Healthy with Blue | Castanets | Tuba | Piano |
Season 2
| Episodes | First Clue | Second Clue | Third Clue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blue's Big Beat Band | Popping | Beat Boxing | Clapping |
| Hide and Seek with Blue | Tuba | Hi-hat Cymbal | Timpani Drums |
| Blue's Treasure Hunt | Violin | Marimba | Maracas |
| Welcome to Blue's Bistro | Bass | Mandolin | Accordion |
| Blue's Big Baking Show | Harp | Glockenspiel | Maracas |
| Blue's Night Before Christmas | Tubular Bells | Jingle Bells | Glockenspiel |
| Sleepy Singalong with Blue | Marimba | Guitar | Music Box |
| Blue's Big Dance Party | Flute | Violin | Tuba and Bawk Bawk Bawk Sound |
| Blue's Big Imagination | Tuba | Marimba | Trumpet |
| What I Like About Blue | Maracas | Xylophone | Violin |
| Blue's Show and Tell Surprise | Piano | Steel Guitar | Tuba |
| Blue's Rainy Day Rainbow | Flute | Wood Blocks | Xylophone |
| Spring is Here! | Violin and Xylophone | Flute | Glockenspiel |
| Blue's Big Neighborhood Adventure | Banjo | Bass Clarinet | Trombone |
| Blue's Beach Bonanza | Maracas | Clarinet | Xylophone |
| Blue's Anywhere Box Surprise | Violin | Electronic Synthesizer | Glockenspiel |
| Mystery of the Missing Pies | Xylophone | Bass Guitar | Maracas |
| Blue Makes a Movie with You! | Timpani Drums | Violin and Xylophone | Clarinet |
| It's Your Birthday! | Guitar | Tuba | Maracas |
| Blue's Big Costume Parade | Trombone | Tuba | Wood Blocks |
Season 3
| Episodes | First clue | Second clue | Third clue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Our New Neighbor | Piano | Bass Guitar | Tambourine |
| The Ghost of the Living Room | Violin | Clarinet | Cymbals |
| A Blue's Clues Festival of Lights | Violin | Piano | Cymbals |
| Blue's Snowy Day Surprise | Violin | Flute | Tuba |
| Blue's Dino Clues | Bassoon | Xylophone and Mandolin | French Horn |
| Building with Blue | Marimba | Vibraphone | Maracas |
| Blue's Backyard Sports Spectacular | Trumpet | Clapping Sounds | Steel Drum |
| Blue's Mystery Present | Cello | Xylophone | Popping Sound |
| Mailtime Mystery | Flute | Xylophone | Bass |
| Magenta's Case of the Giggles | Piano | Clarinet | Timpani Drums |
| Rainbow Puppy's Skidoo Adventure | Fiddle | Bass | Piano |
| Blue's Treasure of Clue Lagoon | Guitar | Bass | Flute |
| Blue and Little Rainbow Riding Hood | Singing | Maracas | Bass |
| Blue's Storytime with Camila | Xylophone | Glockenspiel | Bassoon |
| Tickety's Big Musical Morning | Banjo and Piano | Violin | Shaker |
| Something New at Blue's School | Xylophone | Double Bass | Maracas |
| Feelin' Filipino | Classical Guitar | Marimba | Koto |
| Into the Blueniverse! | Synthesizer | Theremin and Piccolo | Glockenspiel |
| Sage & Ginger's Baby Book | Bass | Clapping Sounds | Xylophone |
| Joshini The Amazing | Glockenspiel | Bass | Maracas |
Season 4
| Episode | First Clue | Second Clue | Third Clue |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Legend of the Jack O'Lantern | Vibraphone | Maracas | Pipe Organ |
| A Blue Christmas with You! | Cello | Jingle Bells | Kalimba |
| Blue's Wish Comes True! | Violin | Bass | Triangle |
| Magenta's Thank You Day Surprise | Harp | Violin | Maracas |
| Firefighter Blue to the Rescue! | Bass Guitar | Piano | Saxophone |
| Knights of the Snack Table | Mandolin | Bass Guitar | Tambourine |
| Night at the Blueseum | Maracas | Bass | Guitar |
| A Tale of Shovel & Pail | Harp | Bass | Maracas |
| The Case of the Missing Thinking Chair | Bass | Cymbal | Vibraphone |
| Return of the Thinking Squad | Timpani Drums | Orchestra Horns | Violins |
| Rainbow Puppy's Big Farm Fair | Banjo | Violin | Bass |
| Pearl's Kickball Championship | Marimba | Jingle Bells | Bass |
| The Big Blue Derby | Marimba | Flute | Double Bass |
| Blue's New Pet | Bass | Recorder | Xylophone |
| The Wizard of Skidoo | Marimba | Bass | Vibraphone |
| Josh's Crummy Day | Wood Blocks | Harp | Bass |
| Josh and Blue's Ice Cream Shop | Harp | Marimba | Maracas |
| The Silly Smelly Smell | Bass | Piano | Glockenspiel |
| Rock On, Rainbow Puppy! | Marimba | Electric Guitar | Clapping Sounds |
| Hola, Mexico City | Maracas | Electric Bass | Guitar |
| Josh Visits the Philippines | Harp | Bass | Clapping Sounds |
| Happy Birthday, Sage and Ginger | Shaker | Harp | Double Bass |
| If You Don't See It, Be It! | Bass Drum and Hi-hat Cymbal | Harp and Violin | Orchestra Horns |
| Hotel Blue | Bass Guitar | Organ | Maracas and Snare Drum Rim |
| Blue's Breaking News | Wood Blocks | Xylophone | Bass |
Season 5
| Episodes | First Clue | Second Clue | Third Clue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Goes Green | Bass | Piano | Shaker |
| Blue's Big Backyard Carnival | Xylophone | Timpani Drums | Maracas |
| Welcome to Camp Clue | Flute | Guitar | Hi-hat Cymbal |
| Camp Clue Hits the Trail | Double Bass | Triangle | Ukelele |
Blue's Birthday Adventure
PC Games
| Episodes | First Clue | Second Clue | Third Clue |
|---|---|---|---|
| What Does Blue Want To Do At Her Party? | Violin | Violin | Violin |
| What Does Blue Want To Play? | Violin | Violin | Violin |
| What Does Blue Want To Give Her Guests At Her Party? | Violin | Violin | Violin |
| What Does Blue Want To Eat At Her Party? | Violin | Violin | Violin |
Blue's Treasure Hunt: A Learning Adventure
PC Games
| Episodes | First Clue | Second Clue | Third Clue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paprika's Favorite Treasure | Violin | Violin | Violin |
| Mailbox's Favorite Treasure | Violin | Violin | Violin |
| Magenta's Favorite Treasure | Violin | Violin | Violin |
Soundtrack CD Album
| Episodes | First Clue | Second Clue | Third Clue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blue's Big Treasure Hunt CD Album | Crunching Sound | Giggling | Kisses |
| Goodnight Blue | Laughing | Seagulls cawing | Waves |
| A Playdate With Blue | Clapping | Stomping | Putting It All Together (instrumental) |
Trivia
- The music for the clues is also sometimes part of the music of the closing sequence of the episode.
- The music for the clues in certain episodes has been used as music for several PC games.
- The music for the clues in Bugs! is the same as the one for the butterfly from Nurture!.
- The music for the 1st clue in Blue's Collection (a red stripe) was used earlier in promos for watching Blue's Clues every weekday. Click here to see all 5 of them.
- The music for the 1st clue in Magenta Comes Over (Steve) has a somewhat similar tune to We Are Gonna Play Blue's Clues, We Are Looking for Blue's Clues, We Just Got a Letter, and We Just Figured Out Blue's Clues.
- The music for the 3rd clue in Shape Searchers (food) has a slightly similar tune to Healthy Snacks.
- The music is not featured when the clues talk and sing.
- The music for the first clue (numbers) in What Game Does Blue Want to Learn? was reused in Weight and Balance and Steve Goes to College.
- The only difference is that in Steve Goes to College, it was in the key of E flat major, and in What Game Does Blue Want to Learn? and Weight and Balance, it was in the key of F major. The tune may also be slightly different in Weight and Balance than it was in What Game Does Blue Want to Learn? and Steve Goes to College note-wise and chord-wise.