Musical computer
Computer programming involves writing a very precise instruction for a computer. The only thing the computer can do is carry out that instruction. At the end of this activity, you’ll know how to program a living musical computer!
Get started
Step 1
Write the following instructions, each on a separate sheet of paper.
If you hear 1, say “boing”.
If you hear 2, say “peep”.
If you hear 3, clap your hands.
If you hear 4, say “ting”.
(You can also invent your own sounds!)
Step 2
Distribute the sheets of paper with instructions among the players. If you’re playing with five people, give a separate instruction to each player. If you’re playing with fewer than five people, give several instructions to each player.
Step 3
Slowly count from 1 to 4 or say a sequence of numbers up to and including 4. Repeat. You’ve just programmed your very own musical computer!
Tip: Try “programming” a larger group of people – like your class!
What did you discover?
What do music and programming have in common? This activity showed you how to write a music program. Programming is the process of giving instructions to a computer. These instructions are written by a programmer,and they all need to follow the same pattern. Once you speak the computer’s language, you can make the computer do whatever you want!
