Getting Started
The best way to get started with LINEWAVES is to try it yourself:
Step 1: Get Python up and running
Download and install a version of Python.
Step 2: Install music21
It’s simple to install music21.
Step 3: Browse the modules
View all of the Modules here, browse by category, or by a particular lesson. Or click here to visit a module at random.
Step 4: Integrate modules into your lesson plan
Once you’ve found a module or sequence, try coding through it yourself. Find related modules (and programming tutorials) by using the links inside of each module.
Step 5: Customize your repertoire
Many of the modules use specific works as models, but the focus on methodology means that the computational techniques covered in any given module can be applied to works of your choice. Click here for online resources to help you build your own teaching repertoire. Reading our core principles can help you apply and integrate content effectively. Eventually, you may want to contribute your own modules!
Examples
See how easily LINEWAVES modules can be integrated into your lesson plan:
Melodic Skips and Steps (Fundamentals of Music)
- Begin by introducing the concept of melodic skips and steps.
- Compare the prevalence of skips and steps in different styles.
- Along the way, cover Python topics including for loops, if statements, and list comprehensions.
- Students can learn how to analyze more complex melodies in this advanced extension.
Post-Tonal Theory (Music Theory IV)
- Review mathematical operations in Python.
- Explore how to convert digital music files into numeric pitch sequences.
- Compare pitch and pitch class representations of a melody.
- Try transposing a melody.
- Create a function that will transpose any melody–or detect whether any two melodies are related by transposition.
Browse our Guide for more.
Contact
Drake Andersen
Adjunct Assistant Professor of Music
Vassar College
info [at] linewaves.org