Beepbox
Teacher information
Beepbox is a simple online sequencing website that allows you to create chiptune video game compositions. It’s easy to use but has a number of options which let you explore melody, composing with multiple parts and musical form. You can save your compositions and export them a number of formats.
In the video below, I walk through some tips and tricks for using Beepbox.
Update March 2020
There have been a few minor updates to Beepbox since I made the teacher and lesson videos. I run through the main changes in this video:
Lesson – Compose a Mario-style video game theme
About this Lesson
In this lesson, students will compose their own video game music using Beepbox. This is an easy activity in which students will compose a melody based on the pentatonic scale.
Which age students?
This is an adaptable lesson which suits students in years 3-8.
Free Website Used in this Lesson
Other Resources
This video by the 8 Bit Guy provides some great background information on the way early video game music was produced:
Downloads
- Download the free Beepbox Teacher Information Sheet
- Download the Music Tech Lesson Plan: Compose your own video game theme
- Download the Mario video clip (sound effects only – no music) if you’d like to combine your student compositions with a Mario video
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Looking for More Resources for Music Teachers?
Hello! I’m Katie Argyle – an Australian music technology trainer and consultant with a passion for helping music teachers through my business Midnight Music.
I’m a qualified teacher but no, I don’t currently teach in a school. I help teachers through my online professional development space – the Midnight Music Community – where there are tutorial videos, courses, links and downloadable resources.
I like to focus on easy ways to incorporate technology into what you are already doing in your music curriculum through a range of creative projects. I also run live workshops and have presented at countless conferences and other music education events.
If you want simple, effective ideas for using technology in music education, I would LOVE to help you inside the Midnight Music Community.
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