Introduction to EarSketch

In these activities we’ll make the transition from TunePad to EarSketch. We’ll shift our focus from composition at the level of notes and beats to composition at the level of samples and songs. This will also help us continue critical listening.

Part 1: Independent Work Prior to Class

• Create an EarSketch account

• Complete the online EarSketch introduction

• Listen to Set by Ciara

• Take a first pass on critical listening.

  • Deconstruct the song on multiple levels: structure, lyrics, musical composition

Part 2: Intro to Digital Audio Workstations

• The Digital Audio Workstation, or DAW, is the main tool for producing music on a computer. A DAW is specialized computer software for recording, editing, and playing digital audio files.

• Take tour of EarSketch

  • • Identify Accounts, Sound Browser, Scripts Browser, Share Browser, API Browser, DAW, Code Editor, Console, Curriculum

• Workflow in EarSketch

• Part of an EarSketch script

  • • Comments section, setup section, music section, and finish section

• How to create a new script

  • • Click the large blue link or the "+" icon if another script is already open

• Composing in EarSketch

  • Code is first typed into the code editor panel

  • After pressing run, music is played in the DAW panel

  • from earsketch import * adds the EarSketch API to your project and is required by every EarSketch script

  • init() prepares the DAW and is required by every EarSketch script

  • setTempo() specifies the tempo of your song and is required by every EarSketch script

  • finish() notifies the DAW that your code is complete and is required by every EarSketch script

  • fitMedia() is the primary way of adding new sounds and has four required arguments

    • • • fileName: The sound clip to be placed in the DAW

        • trackNumber: The track on which music is placed

        • startLocation: The measure at which the sound clip will start

        • endLocation: The measure at which the sound clip will end