The Chord Experiment

Designer:​ Brendon O’Donnell

Technologies Used:
● Makey-Makey is used to wire buttons to the computer.
● Scratch is used to connect the wires to sounds.
● MuseScore is used to get audio files that will play depending on which button is pressed.

Learning Goal: ​MU:Cr2.1.T.Ia:

● Select melodic, rhythmic, and harmonic ideas to develop into a larger
work using digital tools and resources.

Assessment: ​I will assess participant learning by setting up a google form with questions, such
as “Do you feel that you’ve strengthened your ability to play by ear?”

Project Overview and Rationale:​ ​Overall, I will guide the participants towards the music
making, without telling them what exactly to play. I will start them off by telling them to play
around with the chords, then to play around with the individual notes. I will ask them to then pick
out some chords that they like to make a chord progression. After doing so, I will then ask them
to play around with whatever notes they want to add in order to create their own piece. If
everything goes to plan, the participant will slowly morph their melody into fitting the chord
structure. Worst case scenario where they don’t fit the chord structure, they still have fun making
music. This experience will help the participants feel like musicians themselves because with
the chords already spelled out, it doesn’t take any training or music theory knowledge to make a
melody that sounds good, it just takes a decent ear and some time.

Plan for Success:​ I need to make a box with a smaller box inside it, with two pads to place the
hands on. I then need to wire washers to the Makey-Makey to play chords and notes. Then all
that’s left is decoration.

Nov. 24 - Gather all materials

Nov. 25 - Set up boxes
Nov. 26 - Experiment with playdoh/washer conductivity to know for sure what I’m doing.
Nov. 30 - Build playdoh hand pads
Dec. 1 - Put everything together and wire everything
Dec. 3 - Decorate and finish final touches