Hey there! Today, we’re diving into something super cool called EarSketch. It’s not about drawing ears—it’s actually a fun way to create music using code! Imagine making your own beats and songs while learning to code. Sounds awesome, right?
EarSketch is a free online platform that lets you build music using coding languages like Python and JavaScript. It’s perfect for anyone who loves music and wants to learn coding in a creative way. You can use your own sounds or choose from a library of sounds, including some from famous artists like Alicia Keys and Khalid!
One of the best things about EarSketch is that it’s completely free and offers resources for teachers too. This makes it a great tool for classrooms. Plus, it supports two coding languages, which is pretty rare for free platforms. You can choose between Python and JavaScript, depending on what you’re comfortable with or interested in learning.
Once you sign up, you can customize your experience based on your audience and how much time you have. This is super helpful for teachers who might only have a short time to teach coding. EarSketch is part of the Hour of Code initiative, which aims to make coding accessible and fun for everyone.
EarSketch offers a multilingual interface and an embedded code editor with sounds. There’s also a guided tour to help you get started, making it easier to learn even if you’re new to coding. The platform allows you to switch between text-based coding and block coding, similar to Scratch, which is great for beginners.
EarSketch makes coding feel relatable and exciting by connecting it to music. It’s not just about learning to code; it’s about creating something you love. If you’re already into making beats or music, EarSketch can help you understand the coding behind the music-making process.
So, if you’re interested in music and want to learn coding, EarSketch is definitely worth checking out. It’s a fun and engaging way to combine your passions and learn something new. Head over to CommonSense.org Education to read more about it, and don’t forget to explore the platform yourself!
Thanks for joining us today! Keep exploring and creating, and we’ll see you next time with more exciting tools and tips. Happy coding!
Start by logging into EarSketch and exploring the sound library. Choose a few sounds you like and use Python or JavaScript to create a simple beat. Experiment with different rhythms and tempos to see how they change the feel of your music.
Pick a song from the EarSketch library and try remixing it. Use the code editor to add new sounds or change the existing ones. This activity will help you understand how small changes in code can lead to big changes in music.
Pair up with a classmate and create a collaborative project. Each of you can contribute different sounds or code snippets. Share your project with the class and discuss the creative process behind your collaboration.
Use EarSketch to create a soundtrack and then make a short video to accompany it. You can use simple video editing tools to combine your music with visuals. This will help you understand how music and visuals work together to tell a story.
Organize a coding jam session where you and your classmates take turns adding to a shared music project. Use EarSketch to code your contributions live, and see how the project evolves with each new addition. This is a fun way to practice coding and music creation in a group setting.
Sure! Here’s a sanitized version of the transcript:
—
Hello everyone in YouTube land! It’s the Common Sense Education editorial team. I’m Tanner, and that’s Chrissy. Every week, on Tuesday, we drop a video on our channel that features a review from CommonSense.org Education. Chrissy, you’ve got our review for today. So, what are we going to be talking about?
We are going to be talking about Ear Sketch! Yes, you heard me right—Ear Sketch. It sounds like it could be interesting, and it is! It’s not about drawing your ear; it’s actually a song builder with coding instruction built in.
What’s especially cool is that you are actually building songs and making beats with code! I’ve been looking at a lot of coding platforms lately, and this one is completely free. That’s great to know!
It comes with coding in a unique way that I haven’t seen before. If you’re a teacher, you can get free teaching materials. You can use your own sounds or the ones that are already embedded. It supports two coding languages: Python and JavaScript. There are not many coding platforms that offer more than one coding language for free, so that’s a big bonus!
Once you sign up and get in, you can filter by audience and curriculum length, which is really key for coding. Not every teacher has a lot of time in their schedule for teaching coding, but if you’re looking for a cool hour of code activity that offers creativity, this might be a great option.
The goal is to be inclusive when it comes to programming and coding, and to get all kinds of kids interested and see it as relevant, which I think is amazing and really important.
You can choose between Python or JavaScript, and once you get into the interface, you have some options. The platform is multilingual, and there’s an embedded code editor with sounds. There’s also a tour that walks kids through the process.
This platform is not necessarily for very young kids who have never done any programming before, but the tour is thorough. Since it’s part of the Hour of Code, they’re trying to set kids up for success in a short amount of time.
The blocks mode is interesting too; it looks like you can toggle between text-based coding and block coding, similar to Scratch. It’s neat that it supports both versions.
You can also check out different sounds, and there are featured artists like Alicia Keys and Khalid, which kids are likely to be excited about. It feels relatable and not just an abstract idea of programming.
It seems like they’ve taken a digital audio workstation and peeled back the graphical interface, allowing you to dig into the code that runs the program. This could be a great way for students who are already using beat makers at home to understand what’s happening underneath.
So, that was Ear Sketch! It’s available as a review over on CommonSense.org Education, so make sure to check that out. And of course, return here every Tuesday for more videos like this. Please like this video, subscribe, and comment below if you have any questions. Thank you!
—
Let me know if you need any further modifications!
earsketch – A platform that combines coding and music to help students learn programming by creating their own music tracks. – Example sentence: In our computer class, we used Earsketch to compose a song while learning how to code.
coding – The process of writing instructions for a computer to perform tasks, often used to create software or applications. – Example sentence: Coding can be a fun way to express creativity, especially when making music apps.
music – A form of art that uses sound organized in time, often involving rhythm, melody, and harmony. – Example sentence: By using coding, you can create your own music tracks and experiment with different sounds.
python – A high-level programming language known for its readability and versatility, often used in education and web development. – Example sentence: We learned how to use Python to generate music patterns in our coding class.
javascript – A programming language commonly used to create interactive effects within web browsers. – Example sentence: Using JavaScript, we were able to add dynamic sound effects to our online music player.
beats – The basic unit of time in music, often used to create rhythm and tempo. – Example sentence: In our music project, we coded different beats to create a unique rhythm for our song.
sounds – Vibrations that travel through the air or another medium and can be heard when they reach a person’s or animal’s ear. – Example sentence: We used various sounds in our coding project to simulate a virtual band performance.
teachers – Individuals who help students learn and understand new concepts, often guiding them through educational activities. – Example sentence: Our teachers encouraged us to explore coding through music to make learning more engaging.
platform – A digital environment or software that allows users to perform specific tasks or activities. – Example sentence: Earsketch is a great platform for students to learn coding by creating their own music.
creative – Having the ability to use imagination or original ideas to create something new or expressive. – Example sentence: Coding music allows students to be creative and express themselves through sound.
