Making music with the BBC microbit
Designing and programming a device that can be used as a musical instrument in a class performance
This lesson plan involves designing and programming a device that can be used as a musical instrument in a class performance. The activity blends creativity, technology, and music, offering a unique learning experience that is both fun and educational.
This is one of a set of resources developed to aid the teaching of the primary national curriculum, particularly KS2. This is part of our series of resources designed to support the use of the BBC micro:bit in primary school design & technology (DT), computing and engineering lessons.
Activity: Designing and programming a device that can be used as a musical instrument in a class performance
Students will design a programmable instrument that produces one of the three parts of music (rhythm, harmony, and melody) and also get to perform the musical part they've created with their device as part of a wider class performance.
They can then choose one of two routes through the activity – designing and producing the programming themselves or using pre-written programs that they can download straight onto their devices and/or edit as they go through.
The engineering context
Sound and audio engineering industry offers an excellent range of career opportunities. Understanding how music is created and the technologies used is a great starting point. Utilizing music as a context to explore how programmable systems can solve engineering and social problems offers students a unique perspective on the potential of technology.
Suggested learning outcomes
By the end of this activity, students will have a deep understanding of how a simple piece of music is composed of rhythm, harmony, and melody parts. They'll be able to design a programmable musical instrument that produces one of these parts for a piece of music. Furthermore, they'll have the opportunity to perform the musical part they've created with their device as part of a class performance.
Examples of the BBC micro:bit programs
Click here to open the program directly in the microbit code editor or download the programs below to open in your existing editor.
These programs can be downloaded as .hex files below via the 'Download all' button.
Download our activity sheet and other teaching resources
The activity sheet includes teachers’ notes, useful web links, and links (where appropriate) to the national curriculum in each of the four devolved nations; England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
All activity sheets and supporting resources are free to download, and all the documents are fully editable, so you can tailor them to your students’ and your schools’ needs.
Download our classroom lesson plan and PowerPoint presentation below.
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