Sketch it Play it

Sketch instruments with pencil and paper. Connect your artwork to the Makey Makey and jam out!

Gather materials

• Graphite Pencil - "6B" artist pencil works well. Buy on amazon HERE. 

• Paper

EXAMPLE  VIDEO

Get a piano

• CLICK HERE to open the piano in a new window in your browser.

• Recommend using the Chrome browser from Google.

• Turn up your speakers!

Try pushing the arrow keys and space bar on your computer’s keyboard. You should hear the piano make sounds.

Connect your Makey Makey to your computer with the included USB cable. 

• Connect alligator clips to the four arrow keys and space bar. 

• Connect one alligator clip to “Earth” for grounding people.

Ideas / Prompts for your Sketch it Play it

• • Draw your name where each letter will be a note on the piano

  • Draw a picture of a musical instrument - one you play, would like to play, used to play

  • Draw a holiday card

  • Draw your school mascot

  • Draw a flower

Want more notes on your piano?

How to add more notes on your piano:

• Click on the "Control Panel" (red letters in upper right hand corner) then use the slider to add or subtract notes (keys)

• To access all the notes (keyboard keys), you'll use the white "jumper wires" that come with your Makey Makey.  Flip your Makey Makey over and insert the end of the white jumper wire in the header hole next to the letter you want to control. Then connect an alligator clip to the end of the white jumper wire. 

Tired of the piano? Try the "Sampler" app from Makey Makey. 

Looking for inspiration? See the short slide show below along with the videos.

Troubleshooting

• Are the lines dark enough?

• Do the lines cross over each other? Usually beginners are recommended to keep their lines separate so that each line makes one distinct sound.

• Is the alligator clip touching the pencil drawing nicely?

• Are somebody’s hands just too dry? Try putting out a damp sponge for people with dry hands.

• Have you clicked on the piano to bring browser focus to the piano?

• Is your sound turned on? Try pushing the arrow keys directly on your keyboard and watch the piano on the screen.

• Is the Makey Makey plugged in USB?

• Are you drawing on a smooth, hard surface (like a clipboard)?

• Are you grounded? You have to be touching ground AND touching the arrow input both at the same time.