Students learn to code beats in EarSketch using the makeBeat function.
Students learn to code drum fill and riser musical transitions using fitMedia.
The objective for this section is to learn how to apply the makeBeat function and to code the drum fill and riser musical transitions. The makeBeat function is allows you to design custom beats using any sound clip. This allows designers to customize the beat of the music to their own liking, The makeBeat function has four inputs
(sound clip, track #, starting measure, beat string).
The first three inputs are the same as the fitMedia function and the last input is a string of zeros (start a beat note), plus symbols (continue a beat note) or minus symbols (skip a beat note) that designs how the beat plays.
To play the beat for more than one measure the makeBeat function has to be repeated. Later we will use this repetition pattern to improve the efficiency of our code using a control structure.
The drum fill and riser transitions are different sound clips that are available in EarSketch. Coding a fitMedia block with a rum fill or riser sound clip is all that is required to play the transition. One has to decide which transition, and the start and end measures that they feel will elicit the audience's attention the best.
Activity 1 (Budget 50 minutes)
Students learn to apply the makeBeat function.
1. Present the first slide of the makeBeat PowerPoint and facilitate a class response on the difference between the two sounds. (The second sound is choppier than the first)
2. Present the next three slides to show how to apply the makeBeat function in EarSketch.
3. Model in EarSketch how to code two variables: one named beatString1 = "000+000+000+00" and beatString2 = 0+++++++0+++. When you code the second beatString, do not include the quotation marks so that they can see you will get a data type error in the makeBeat. Then code two makeBeats at measure 1 and 2 for beatString1 and two more makeBeats at measure 3 and 4 for beatString2.
4. Hand out the makeBeat assignment to each pair of students so that they each apply the beatStrings in the assignment. Then they code additional makeBeats and listen to each others music to see if they can tell how many of each beatString their partner used.
Activity 2 (Budget 20 minutes)
Students learn how to code the drum fill and riser transitions.
1. Using the script you made above, model searching for a drum fill sound clip (l suggest playing a couple of them and let the students choose the one they like better), then add the clip as a transition using fitMedia from measure 5 to measure 7. After that add two more makeBeats of beatString1 at measures 7 and 8. Run and play the modified script.
2. Next search for a riser sound clip and replace the riser sound clip for the drum fill. Run and play the modified script and facilitate a short discussion on which one students like better and why. (There is no correct answer)
3. Assign the students to modify their previous script to include a drum fill or riser transition of their choice and submit it to you.
makeBeat PowerPoint (Teacher Resource)
makeBeat Assignment (Student Resource)