Page 188 - IJET_July2021_final

Figure-8: LCM through occurrence of two different sounds

Image Source: https://musiclab.chromeexperiments.com/Song-Maker/
For example: If children make a rule for Based on these two activities (a, b),
the occurrence of these two sounds, then some inquiry based questions can be
they can see these sounds in context posed to children.
of LCM. Suppose, the two beats (say T • Does the LCM of two sounds (T and
and C) start at two different positions C) change, when the ‘Length’ or
(count from extreme left of the grid): If ‘Beats per bar’ change?
T starts from 3rd position and sounds
at every third position (interval of three) • Does the number of columns in a
and C starts at the fourth position and bar depend on ‘Length’?
then sounds at every fourth position • Is the number of columns in the grid
(interval of four), then they would first or a bar directly proportional to the
sound together at the 12th position ‘Length’?
(and then sound together again at
intervals of 12). In other words, 12 is the • How is the number of columns in
minimum distance on the grid where T a bar dependent on the ‘Beats per
and C (occurring first time at 3rd and bar’ and Beat Split?
4th position) meet. Thus, 12 as the LCM • Can you establish a relationship
of 3 and 4 is justified and visualised between the number of columns
through this activity on Song Maker. The and ‘Beats per bar’ and ‘Beat split’?
beat strip can be extended by changing
the parameters in settings and hence, Discussion and Conclusion
the LCM concept can be explored on
Song Maker flexibly for various pairs of The musical activities discussed have
numbers. been only explored by the author.
There is a scope of further testing,
Note: Experiment Rhythm has a limited experimentation and carrying out
number of vertical lines for positioning educational research with children
its sounds in all three levels (6, 8 and using activities of Music Lab. However,
10), so Song Maker can be a better the focus of the activities discussed is to
option than Rhythm for visualizing LCM. make children and students aware and
Interestingly, this can be posed as an realise some mathematical concepts
inquiry based question for children to which they can use consciously or
find out the pair of numbers for which subconsciously while making music
Rhythm supports generating LCM. in daily experiences as well as in

b. Manipulating ‘Beat split’, Chrome Music Lab. As a part of this,
‘Beats per bar’ and ‘Length’ their mathematical learning can also
178 Indian Journal of Educational Technology
Volume 3, Issue 2, July 2021