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How do I get a Makey Makey (and other resources) to build an instrument?

 There are many places where you can go to obtain needed materials for creating instruments and interfaces. Be resourceful and find out what might be available in your community!

Think about

  • Where can you go to get access to resources you need to create instruments?

Get Started

Step 1. Borrow a Makey Makey!

Find out if you can borrow a Makey Makey from somewhere in your community.

Doing some investigating can be great since you might find out other resources you can gain access to.

Here are some places that might have Makey Makeys (and other) resources for you to access.

  • Libraries
  • Schools
  • Makerspaces
  • Community Organizations

1) Start with your school. Ask some teachers and the school librarian if they can help you find out if the school has a Makey Makey for you to borrow or if it could possibly get a Makey Makey for you to borrow.

2) Also, check with your local library to find out if they have a Makey Makey for you to borrow of if they know of another place that can let you borrow a Makey Makey.

3) Find out if there are any local makerspaces. Makerspaces are places that usually provide resources to the local community to make things. Work with a trusted adult to find out if there is a local makerspace. If there is a makerspace in your community, find out if they have Makey Makeys that you can borrow. 

4) Work with a trusted adult to find out if any local community organizations have Makey Makeys that you can borrow.

Step 2. Purchase a Makey Makey!

Did you first check to see if you can borrow a Makey Makey? If not, start there!

You might also want to purchase a Makey Makey. 

Here are some places you can go online to purchase a Makey Makey Classic (the Makey Makey GO is less expensive but limits your instrument to only 3 sounds or notes):

You might also find out if there is a local business or organization that sells Makey Makeys. Talk to some of the people at the places listed for “borrowing a Makey Makey” to find out if they can help you choose the best place to purchase a Makey Makey.  

Other Resources You need:

1) You will need some objects that can conduct electricity. For example:

  1. Fruit

  2. Something made of metal

2) Your Makey Makey will come with some jumper wires and alligator clips. Bonus!

  • You might want to obtain some additional jumper wires and alligator clips. You can use the same places to purchase these items as you did the Makey Makey.

3) If you want to draw your own instrument to use with a Makey Makey, you will need paper and some soft graphite. We suggest using something like a graphite crayon. If you don’t have access to soft graphite, you can always use whatever pencil you have and draw with very dark lines.

You can get a soft (6B) graphite crayon at a local art supply store or places online such as: 

4) You will need a free web-app or a free software program. We’ll get to that later!

  • If you are using a computer that can download software you can download SoundPlant to your computer to use later on.
  • On the SoundPlant website click, “downloads here” and follow the directions.

Share What you Learned

If you are using the LRNG platform:

  • You do not need to submit anything for this XP
  • You should be able to articulate what you found out about where you will obtain the needed resources for this mini-playlist

If you are not using the LRNG platform:

  • Continue below and share with your teacher or organization:

Sharing What You Learned

  • Articulate what you found out about where you will obtain the needed resources for this mini-playlist

Next Steps

Return to the XP How can I create instruments and interfaces with Makey Makey(s)? (continue to the next XP in the mini-playlist)