By:  Declan Gouveia

Notes, Chords and Making Music

Students will tinker with the existing code, changing the notes that are being played with the different keys to hear how these chord changes emit an emotional response (minor = sad, major = happy).

Introduction:

• Introduce notes and chords as a part of music theory.
• Present scenario: This student wants to dance to some music, but there’s no one around to play the instruments! Can you help get him moving and grooving?
• Introduce what notes combine to create a major and minor chord.

Working Process:

• Give students the original code.
• Have them analyze the code and figure out which chords are being played.
• Students can alter the notes and play with the drum beat.

Consolidation:

• Analysis of the sounds they were able to create.
• Were they adhering to proper music theory? What type of sounds did they make? Did anyone make something using a melody from their favorite song?
• The beauty of this lesson is that each student will have a different final product.

Resource Information:

Tags: Tinkering, debugging

URL Link to Code: https://scratch.mit.edu/projects/1138326762

Other Integrated Subjects: Grade 8 Music

C1.3 create musical compositions in a variety of forms for specific purposes and audiences (e.g., write lyrics and a melody for a protest song based upon a current social issue; compose a melodic theme for a computer game)