Music, Unpacked
A Synth Envelope Shapes the Sound After the Key Is Pressed
Pressing a key does not tell the whole story of a synthesised note. The sound may rise slowly, settle to another level and continue fading after your finger…
Good sounds. Fresh ideas.
Music, Unpacked
Clear explanations of musical ideas, with room to try them for yourself.
Music, Unpacked
Divide One Comfortable Pulse into Two Sounds, Then Three
Keep a slow, comfortable pulse with one hand. Between each pair of taps, try saying two evenly spaced syllables, then three. The pulse can stay steady while…
Music, Unpacked
A Duet Can Begin with One Person Refusing to Fill Every Gap
Two people making sounds together can quickly produce a crowded texture. A simple agreement—leave some openings unanswered—creates another possibility for a…
Music, Unpacked
Build a Musical Round by Entering Late and Continuing Together
An echo waits for a sound and answers it. A round adds another possibility: the second person begins the same phrase later while the first person continues.…
Music, Unpacked
Two Notes Together and Two Notes in Sequence Offer Different Listening Tasks
Compare the same pair of pitches played together and one after another to hear the distinction between harmonic and melodic intervals.
Music, Unpacked
Keep the Chord’s Notes, Change Which One Is at the Bottom
Try a simple C-major chord in different inversions and listen to how the lowest note changes the arrangement without introducing a new pitch class.
Music, Unpacked
Speed Up a Pulse Without Making It Louder
Try a quiet tapping exercise that separates a gradually changing pulse from a change in loudness, then describe where keeping them apart becomes difficult.
Music, Unpacked
Move a Whole Melody Up Together, Then Change Just One Note
Compare moving every note by the same pitch interval with changing one note inside a melody. Keep rhythm steady and listen for what remains recognisable.