XP 1: How do people interact with acoustic objects to make sounds?

If you are going to create an instrument or interface, it helps to interact with sound.

Think About

• How do people interact with objects to make sounds?
• What are the relationships between quality of sounds and instruments or interfaces?

Get Started

1. Find three objects in your local environment.
   1. Make sure these objects are not electronic. You should not need to turn them on to make sound.
2. Interact with these objects by shaking them and hitting/scraping them together
3. Find other ways (besides shaking, hitting, or scraping) to produce different sounds with your objects.
4. Keep a record of how your interactions with the objects impact the sound the objects make.
5. Give the objects to someone else and observe how they interact with the objects and the sounds they make.
6. Keep a record of how the other person’s interactions with the objects impact the sound the objects make

Now, watch these videos and think about how these people are interacting with sound.

Think about and answer the following questions:

• How are the people in these videos interacting with objects to make sound?
• How would you describe the types of sounds they are making?
• Describe how you think the ways the people are interacting with the objects impacts the sound of the objects?

Share What you Learned

If you are using the LRNG platform:

• Go back, find out what to submit, and complete the XP
• If you want, you can then learn even more with the optional “Go Further!” activities below

If you are not using the LRNG platform:

• Continue below and share with your teacher or organization:

Sharing What You Learned

• Post a description or a video selfie of the different ways you interacted with objects
• Include a description of how you think the way you interacted with the object impacted the sounds of the objects

Go Further!

Curious about learning more? 

(optional) Explore how people can interact with electronic objects to create sound.

(optional) Get some ideas for designing an instrument or interface

OR

Move On

Return to the Creating Instruments and Interfaces Music Learning Playlist