Specifications

Description

AARTPACTIVITIES

Title: “Digital Theremin”

Subject: Science, Physics, Music Theory

Audience: Grades K–12

Format: Flash (Actionscript 3.0, Player 10.0+)

This piece was produced in conjunction with the "Magnetism" ActivStudio lesson, and offers a digital interpretation of a traditional theremin. Whereas an analog theremin takes advantage of concepts such as electromagnetism and capacitance to control its sounds, our digital theremin simply exploits the capabilities of the latest version of the Flash player.

By moving the cursor across the stage horizontally, users can control the frequency, or pitch, of the tone. They can similarly manipulate its volume by moving the cursor vertically. A menu at lower left expands to present options that include the superimposition of two C-major–scale grids, the ability to view the waveform of the tone as if on an oscilloscope, and the ability to modify the waveform with a variety of effects.

There are many possibilities for use of this piece in a classroom setting, and it is particularly engaging when used on IWB.

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