Introduction: Recorder Practice With Makey Makey

Our Music students have to complete songs on the recorder to earn belts (pieces of colored yarn) until they achieve Black Belt status. Sometimes they have trouble with the finger placements and "hearing" the song come to life.

Supplies

Materials:

cardboard

masking tape

Makey Makey with USB cable

computer with https://apps.makeymakey.com/piano/

aluminum foil

alligator clips

recorder

recorder image on paper

Hot Cross Buns song from: https://apps.makeymakey.com/piano/

Step 1: Place Foil on Cardboard

Place foil strips by taping the aluminum foil to the back of cardboard. Place alligator clips on the right side of the cardboard while lining the left side of the cardboard to the holes on the paper recorder.

Step 2: Putting the Clips on the Makey Makey

Place the other end of the alligator clips on the Makey Makey. The hole closest to the person is hole 1 match up with right arrow on Makey Makey. Hole 2 matches up with the up arrow on Makey Makey. Hole 3 matches up with the left arrow on Makey Makey. Hole 4 will be for ground wire and labeled Earth on photos.

Step 3: Setup

The paper recorder is matched up with the cardboard for holes 1,2,3 and ground wire aka Earth. The real life recorder is laying next to the paper recorder. The cardboard foil is connected to the Makey Makey. The Makey Makey is connected to the computer by USB and the https://apps.makeymakey.com/piano/ is pulled up.

Step 4: Hot Cross Buns Song

Hot Cross Buns has the arrows and holes to touch.

Step 5: Setup

Step 6: Playing Hot Cross Buns

Playing Hot Cross Buns on the Makey Makey using the holes the students would use on the recorder.

1-2-3, 1-2-3

3-3-3-3, 2-2-2-2, 1-2-3

while holding/touching the ground/Earh spot on the cardboard.

Step 7: Playing the Recorder and Makey Makey

I am playing Hot Cross Buns on the Makey Makey while my son plays it on the recorder.