Destiny McDaniel

MUS 150

Professor Guerrero

29 November 2021

Scratch Sampler Reflection

Technology and coding has never been a strong suite of mine, nor an interest. Until

recently I never thought it could be useful within the music education curriculum, but this project

specifically showed me just how important they both are. Although my finished product is quite

simple, it allowed me to discover how coding can be used to create music. Not only is this a

more modern approach towards music, but it is also a way for those interested in technology and

coding to have a part in creating music if playing an instrument isn’t an interest for them.

Scratch is a very easy way to listen to notes being played without requiring instruments

or players to be present. This can teach students some basic music theory as it allows aural

learners to hear first hand which notes harmonize together and what different intervals sound

like. As one plays around with the speed tools for notes, they can also learn how rhythms are

created by the amount of space between notes. This also teaching students how to layer sounds

and use technology in a nontraditional way.

If I were to teach music coding to those in a middle school classroom, I would give them

a basic rundown of scratch for those who haven’t used the program before. Afterwards, I would

allow the students to take five or so minutes on their own to play around with the features offered

throughout the program. Next, I would present the assignment to my students. With the age

range and beginner status in mind, I would expect a rather simple production. From my students

I would ask for at least one voice performing an easy, yet common song such as Hot Cross buns,
Mary Had a Little Lamb, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, etc. For an older group at the same skill

level in coding, I would ask for the same assignment, but a minimum of three voices for a song.