Lesson 2.1: Reviewing Pitch, Timbre, Rhythm and Tempo
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In this lesson, we will watch a series of videos on basic music theory concepts. After each video, we will explore the code blocks in Scratch that correspond to each concept.
Pitch
Let's start with a quick video to refresh our minds on the basics of pitch!
Click here to watch the video.1
Pitch in Scratch
Pitch in Scratch is determined by a number selected from the menu within the "Play Note" block. Let's make some noise!
Try this! Head over to the Create area in Scratch, select the Sound category and drag a "Play Note" block onto your Script area.
Select the small, black rectangle in your "Play Note" block to bring up the dropdown keyboard. Note the number that corresponds to the pitch selected. Pitches can be selected from the keyboard or typed into the block numerically.
Everyone says that music is math...let's see if they're right! Test your knowledge of Pitch in Scratch by completing this math quiz.
Timbre
Watch this quick overview of timbre!
Click here to watch the video.2
Timbre in Scratch
There are two main blocks in scratch that allow you to change the timbre of the instrument you are playing: "Set Instrument" and "Play Drum". Clicking the small arrow next to the numbers in each block will access a list of instrument and drums types. The "Play Note" block with sound a note produced from the instrument you selected, and the "Play Drum" block with sound whatever drum you've chosen.
Try this! Select an instrument in Scratch. Program your sprite to play a note on this instrument, and then have your sprite say three words on the list below that describe that instrument's timbre.
Timbre descriptors: loud, soft, brassy, gentle, romantic, melodious, raucous, strong, eerie, spooky, rhythmic, choppy, noisy, mellow, shrill, reedy, clear, breathy, rounded, full, thin, piercing, strident, harsh, warm, resonant, dark, bright, heavy, light, and flat.3
Rhythm
Another quick video on the basics of rhythm!
Click here to watch the video.4
As you can see in the image of the "Play Drum" block, Scratch assigns a number to each note value (same situation in the "Play Note" block).
Try this! Make a string on "Play Note" or "Play Drum" blocks that play each of the following note values from longest to shortest and back to longest.
Note values: whole, half, quarter, eighth, sixteenth
Tempo
Watch this short video on the basics of tempo!
Click here to watch the video.5
Tempo in Scratch
Tempo is a value in Scratch that can be changed with the "Set Tempo" and "Change Tempo" blocks. Tempo in Scratch, like most music, is measured in beats-per-minute (bpm).
Try this! Make a string of code that plays 4 quarter notes on a drum or instrument. Select three tempos from this chart.6. Set your starting tempo in Scratch and insert code between each set of 4 beats to change the tempo according to the markings you selected.
Let's put it all together in Lesson 2.2: Scratch Blocks and Theory
References
1"Music Theory Lessons - Introduction to Pitch." YouTube. YouTube, 31 May 2016. Web. 12 Dec. 2016.
2EducationPortalVideo. "Musical Timbre of Instruments and Singers Definition." YouTube. YouTube, 31 Dec. 2013. Web. 12 Dec. 2016.
3YourDictionary. "Descriptive Words for Music." YourDictionary. N.p., 12 June 2013. Web. 12 Dec. 2016.
4Youcanplayit. "How To Read Music - Note Values - Lesson #4." YouTube. YouTube, 12 July 2013. Web. 12 Dec. 2016.
5ShowMeapp. "How to Music Theory: Music Theory - Tempo Markings." YouTube. YouTube, 15 Nov. 2012. Web. 12 Dec. 2016.
6"Goodwin's High End - Glossary of Tempo Markings." Goodwin's High End - Glossary of Tempo Markings. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Dec. 2016.