Quick Start Guide

Get started creating music with code. This guide walks through the basics of coding music with Python in TunePad

Why Music and Code?

Why would you want to make music with Python code?

Chicago House Beat

In this short warmup activity, create a Chicago House beat using Python code.

Rhythm and Tempo

Learn about beat, tempo and the foundations of rhythm

Rhythm Notation

A review of Western rhythm notation and how it relates to Python code

Seven Easy Chords

A chord is more than one note played at the same time. There are many, many chords to choose from, but here are seven easy chords to get you started.

Percusion Sounds and Instruments

A summary of common percussion instruments and sounds

Underwater Mystery Melody

See if you can fix all of the syntax errors to reveal the mystery melody!

Make a Metronome

Use TunePad's playNote function to make a simple metronome that makes a tick-tock sound on every beat

Advanced Production Effects

Try some of these production effects to take your music to the next level

Voice Leading Tutorial

This activity teaches the fundamentals of voice leading to create chord progressions in TunePad

Major and Minor Chords

Define functions to play major and minor chords in TunePad

5 Uses of For Loops

Learn five different ways to use for-loops in Python to make music.

Hats Off

In this tutorial you'll use for-loops to create hi-hat patterns.

Three Hip-Hop Beats

Practice using the playNote and rest functions to make three common hip-hop beat patterns.

Random Trap Beat

Build a simple Trap beat using the Python programming language with loops, conditionals, and randomness.

Custom Rock Beat

Practice building and customizing a rock beat pattern.

Syntax Errors

Practice finding and fixing syntax errors in Python code

Layering Audio with Tracks

Learn how to layer audio loops together into full-length songs using TunePad’s tracks interface.

Advanced Trap Beat

Build a custom trap beat in TunePad using loops, functions, and parameters.

Drum Machine

Learn how to use the moveTo function to create a drum machine.

Three Basic Beats

Practice using the playNote and rest functions to make three basic beat patterns.