# Section 1: Getting started

## Lesson Objectives

1. I know the basic features of Google Song Maker.
2. I can save my work by copying and pasting a link.

## 1. Getting Started

Watch the video below to see how Song Maker works.

{% embed url="<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BqncqSxIwgc>" %}

{% hint style="success" %}

### Have a go!

🕑 10 minutes

Click on the link below to try it out.

<https://musiclab.chromeexperiments.com/Song-Maker/>
{% endhint %}

## 2. Skill Up

{% hint style="success" %}
Can you master the Song Maker techniques in the box below? You will need to go back to [Song Maker](https://musiclab.chromeexperiments.com/Song-Maker/) to try them out.

🕑 up to 15 minutes

Start with Beginner, and then go to Intermediate and Expert if you can.
{% endhint %}

{% tabs %}
{% tab title="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:

{% embed url="<https://youtu.be/yYMmifObmiY>" %}
{% endtab %}

{% tab title="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](https://3119691341-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-M4dA_dy9aIZnx3SLflp%2F-M59TfJa2igxmBQjAaIc%2F-M59Ud0WEeLcfVjnDnM1%2Fimage.png?alt=media\&token=57429600-e160-4e67-83eb-51b1cb6c64a2)
{% endtab %}

{% tab title="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**.
   {% endtab %}
   {% endtabs %}

## 3. Over to you

{% hint style="success" %}

### 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.

![](https://3119691341-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-M4dA_dy9aIZnx3SLflp%2F-M59Xi3M-5-BeHvkWLW8%2F-M59ZnATiCj3fYU550Ag%2Fimage.png?alt=media\&token=2942c4ac-97f1-4fab-b4a9-97d934a7086f)

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?
  {% endhint %}

{% embed url="<https://youtu.be/YnbTUzL18_s>" %}

## 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](https://swchsmusic.gitbook.io/y8-music/term1a/song-bank)?

[ToneMatrix](https://tonematrix.audiotool.com/): Free online instrument. Enable Flash to use.