Coding Activities for Developing Music with Sonic Pi

by Cathleen Small

Overview

Music used to be created in recording studios, first using analog tape and eventually moving to digital tracks. In the twenty-first century, musicians do not need a recording studio to create music; all they need is a computer and some passion. Those with an interest in coding and a talent for music can use Sonic Pi, a live coding environment based on the Ruby programming language, to create simple tunes or masterful compositions. This lively guidebook offers a series of unique activities, starting with live loops and progress to using envelopes and samples, to start readers on a musical coding journey.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781725341050
Publisher:	Rosen Publishing Group, Incorporated, The
Publication date:	07/30/2021
Series:	Code Creator Series
Pages:	64
Product dimensions:	6.50(w) x 9.12(h) x 0.40(d)
Age Range:	12 - 17 Years

Table of Contents

Introduction 4

Activity 1 Creating a Live Loop 10

Activity 2 Let's Make a Beep … or Five 14

Activity 3 Playing with Synth Options 18

Activity 4 Switching Synths 21

Activity 5 Envelopes: Not Just for Mailing Letters 24

Activity 6 Sampling with Sonic Pi 28

Activity 7 Randomizing Music 32

Activity 8 A Little Advanced Programming 34

Activity 9 Let's Get into FX 38

Activity 10 Chords and Scales: Sonic Pi and a Little Music Theory 41

Career Connections 46

Glossary 54

For More Information 56

For Further Reading 59

Bibliography 61

Index 62

Editorial Reviews

11/01/2021

Gr 7 Up—Coding and using coding tools have become essential elements of middle school and high school curriculum, just as learning to read is part of elementary school. And just as we create materials for what we used to call "reluctant readers," we ought to have materials for "reluctant coders." This series is just that—text-based tutorials, written in a conversational tone and full of examples and analogies, that walk these learners through easily achievable activities to a successful working result. The choice of programs and languages is good—Python, SQL, and HTML open doors to learning more advanced programming languages; Sonic Pi is a good introduction to Ruby; Unity gets kids started with C++; and Twine, Scratch, and Mindstorms are great for kids interested in gaming, animation, or robotics. VERDICT Coding is for everyone with these conversational guides.

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