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beats (strikes) are used for generating pattern in the change of colour of cells
rhythm in Song Maker. In Song Maker, as well as sound corresponding to a cell.
beat actually refers to the beat box
(figure 5). The number of beat boxes How can children understand Song
in a grid depends on the configuration Maker as a mathematical activity?
of ‘Beat split’ and ‘Beats per bar’ and Song Maker can be treated as a
Length of grid. One can understand combination of Rhythm and an
the grid configuration by manipulating extended form of Melody Maker.
the settings and observing the changes Like Rhythm and Melody Maker, this
in grid and bar. For example: If ‘Beats activity also involves permutation and
per bar’ is 4, and ‘Beat split’ is 2, each combination of various notes (cells
bar gets divided into 8 columns and and colour). Activities based on Ratio-
there are a total 8 beat boxes in that Proportion, Pattern Building, Fractions
bar. Likewise, if the Beat split is 3 with and Multiplication and Division can
4 ‘Beats per bar’ and the ‘Length’ of the again be explored with Song Maker.
grid is 4 bars, then there are a total of Song Maker also lets one expand or
48 (3 x4 x 4) columns in the grid, 12 (3 reduce the size of grid, number of bars
x 4) columns per bar and one beatbox and columns according to one’s choice,
per column.
for example: change in the number of
The settings options for Scale, Start On columns and cells per bar by changing
and Octave deal with the qualitative the number of ‘Beats per bar’. ‘Beat
aspect of sound and presence of split’ and ‘Length’. In addition to these,
particular musical notes in the grid. following activities can also be explored
For example: by changing the Octave, on Song Maker, which can add insights
one can divide the grid vertically into to the conceptual understanding of
2-3 parts. If you change the scale, the some topics among children.
number of cells/notes in octave changes: a. LCM: Lowest Common
Major (7 notes), Pentatonic (5 notes) and Multiple
Chromatic (12 notes). One can sense
the difference in melody and sound of Using the rhythm option, in Song Maker,
the set of notes/cells in 1st octave and children can visualise and understand
2nd Octave and in different scales. The the concept of LCM. There are two types
sharpness of sound produced by the of sound (Triangular ‘T’ and Circular ‘C’)
same cell change when setting gets exactly below the melody bar (Figure-8).
changed from Low to Middle to High. Depending upon the arrangement
By changing the ‘start on’ notes (for (position) of these two sounds; one can
example: C to C#), one can observe a explore the concept of LCM.

Indian Journal of Educational Technology 177
Volume 3, Issue 2, July 2021