MADE Classroom: Music in Games

This class explores basic theory and how to use it to compose music using computers!

Age Range: Around 8 to 13 years old

Description: This class is a 1.5 hour lesson that teaches students basic modal music theory and rhythm to compose music for a pre-built game in Scratch. Video game techniques can provide inspiration across domains outside of video game development, enabling students to more consciously/actively engage with digital entertainment and use prior work to hone interactive design skills.

Students will learn

• How the major diatonic scale can be a starting point for understanding music composition

• How using a different starting point within the diatonic scale creates modes, providing a structured palette for expression

Students will learn how to

• How to create background audio through chords and arpeggiation along different modes of the diatonic scale

• How to write a melody over their chord progressions

• How to integrate this music behind an existing video game

We will begin by playing music from a few different video games and assessing them for emotion, mood, and melody. Then, students will walk through a variety of exercises to train their ability to "feel" different modes of the major diatonic scale. They will then go downstairs to play video games, categorizing the music tracks into "major" and "minor" categories. Finally, the class will end with students creating their own music to pair with a pre-existing game built in Scratch.