In February's column, we looked at how free browser-based music applications can be used to help facilitate the teaching of musical objectives. In that particular example, we looked at Novation's Launchpad Arcade and how it could be used to help teach structure and form.
This month we will be looking at two other pieces of software. Firstly, a very light and cheerful music application, which is ideal for upper Key Stage 2, called Sheep Beats and secondly, a piece of software called Drumbot Sequence that is a great progression route on from Sheep Beats, and is suitable for Key Stage 3 upwards. As ever, these pieces of software require no download or installation in order to run, but it is recommended that you use Google Chrome as your Internet browser to ensure that they run correctly. Simply search for Sheep Beats or Drumbot Sequencer or visit one of the URLs at the end of this article. Allow Flash to run (if needed) and you're ready to begin.
Sheep Beats
When you first access the Sheep Beats application page, you will be met with an image of three unusual looking sheep on a stage, each playing a different instrument: the double bass, keyboard and drums. Below the sheep, there is a standard grid matrix, similar to that which you might see in most other MIDI notation programs. This grid is quantised and set to 16ths, or semi quavers, and allows for one bar of musical composition that will loop continuously. The user can compose for the double bass, keyboard and drums and watch as the sheep animations move along with the instruments they are playing. Keep in mind that, even though this fun and colourful application is well suited for upper KS2, it can also be used to teach the basics of MIDI style notation to KS3.
In this article we are going to explore pupils composing their own bar of music in the style of a particular genre, but Sheep Beats can aid the teaching of several musical objectives relating to pulse and rhythm, composition, graphic notation and listening skills if you prefer. In the downloadable lesson resource related to the app on the Leicestershire Music website (URL at the end), pupils will listen to a song from the house music genre and use this as the inspiration to complete the main task. During the learning journey of this lesson, pupils will learn about the different parts of the drum kit; discuss and identify beats in a bar; listen to, and appraise, the key elements of a typical house beat and finally; compose their own bar of house-inspired music.
Sheep Beats is a simple online step sequencer
Drumbot Sequence
This app is also firmly based around MIDI-style note entry and composition. However, it offers a lot more options and versatility than Sheep Beats. In Sequence, the user can change the tempo, add swing, alter the time signature, choose their own drum sounds from a range of samples, and create several different bars and arrange these to create an extended backing beat. Unlike Sheep Beats, Sequence also allows pupils to save their work so that they can carry compositions over several lessons. And if you weren't already sold, compositions can be downloaded as audio WAV files for easy listening back and sharing – ideal for self, peer and teacher assessment opportunities. This software is very simple to learn but, for some quick teacher guidance, please see the tutorial video included in the free KS3 Sequence lesson found on the Leicestershire Music website. Like the Sheep Beats lesson, pupils will be aiming to compose in the style of a particular genre of music. In the example lesson provided, the genre is drum and bass. Pupils will listen to a drum and bass track, discussing some of the key elements of the drum and percussion rhythms, before using some of these elements to compose their own drum and bass beats.
If you're a music teacher who wants to try embedding some elements of music technology into your department, without committing to purchasing equipment and software, free browser applications like Sheep Beats and Drumbot Sequence are a great place to start.
Drumbot Sequence is a little more advanced that Sheep Beats
