Beatbox Machine with Scratch

Learn to make music with faces when certain keys on a keyboard are pressed. This activity introduces triggering algorithms with specific keyboard events.


Project preview

Press play to watch a video preview of the project we’re going to create in this session.

 

Example Project

Click the green flag, then press your arrow keys or spacebar to make a beat.


Step 1: Open Scratch

Click this image to open Scratch or visit https://scratch.mit.edu and click “Create” near the top left of the screen.

Click this image to open Scratch or visit https://scratch.mit.edu and click “Create” near the top left of the screen.

 

Step 2: Create funny backdrops

Beatbox Machine Create Funny Backdrops


Step 3: Trigger sounds

Beatbox Machine Trigger Sounds

 

Step 4: Fix a bug

Beatbox Machine Fix a Bug


Step 5: Create a beat (or melody)

Beatbox Machine Create a Beat (or Melody)

 

Step 6: Customize sounds

Scratch Tips Customize Sounds


Lesson plans and resources

Coder Resources
(student-facing)

 

Lesson Plan


(teacher-facing)


Even More Free Projects and Lessons


Additional Resources

LISTEN TO THE #CSK8 PODCAST

The #CSK8 Podcast explores research, experiences, and perspectives on computer science education with a focus on grades K-8. My hope is to support and promote the #CSK8 and #CSforALL community members by interviewing guests and unpacking scholarship in relation to computer science education.


Music && Coding (more resources on making music with code)

My dissertation (“A corpus-assisted discourse analysis of music-related practices discussed within chipmusic.org”) also includes many discussions and references that blur the boundaries between music making and computer science.

Twitter Lists

The following lists provide a direct feed of users who discuss the various topics that pertain to this presentation:

YouTube Playlists

The following links provide videos related to various topics that pertain to this presentation: