Section 1: Getting started

How do I use Song Maker?

Lesson Objectives

1. I know the basic features of Google Song Maker.

2. I can save my work by copying and pasting a link.

Watch this video first

Please watch the video below to explain how to use this site.

1. Getting Started

Watch the video below to see how Song Maker works.

Have a go!

🕑 10 minutes

Click on the link below to try it out.

https://musiclab.chromeexperiments.com/Song-Maker/

2. Skill Up

Can you master the Song Maker techniques in the box below? You will need to go back to Song Maker to try them out.

🕑 up to 15 minutes

Start with Beginner, and then go to Intermediate and Expert if you can.

Beginner

1. Make the speed (tempo) as fast as possible

2. Make the song have as many bars as possible

3. Make the song have 3 beats in every bar

4. Make an interesting melody (tune) by using only three different colours.

A bit lost? Watch this video:

Intermediate

1. Use the largest range possible. What do you think range means?

2. Make the song with the largest amount of beats.

3. Make an interesting song that uses four different chords.

Remember the chord shape we used on keyboards?

A chord shape in Song Maker

Expert

1. What note is red? Use an instrument to help you.

2. Play the highest note possible. (Are you totally sure?)

3. Can you recreate a song you already know? Or part of a song? You might need to set the scale to chromatic.

3. Over to you

Game composition

🕑 20 minutes

You have been asked to compose a song that lasts four bars. It will be used as the background music in a computer game for young children. The character in the game is a friendly kangaroo.

The kangaroo is able to hop and dash. The music must reflect this.

• Will the notes be close together or far apart?

• Will the tempo be fast or slow?

• What is the best instrument and drum sound for this character?

4. Challenge yourself

Expert tasks above: Did you get to the Expert box in the Skill Up section? You could go back and try these.

Settings: Click on the Settings button in the bottom right of the screen. You can increase the length of your SongMaker, the range available and the scales it uses.

Song Bank: Can you put together one of the songs in my Song Bank?

ToneMatrix: Free online instrument. Enable Flash to use.