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Hands-On: Piano

1. Say hello to your Makey Makey.

Open up your Makey Makey box and look at all the components. NOTE: If you borrowed a Makey Makey from the "Educator's Kit" then you won't have items 4 and 5.

The Makey Makey has a "front" and "back". We'll be working on the front initially. Here's what the front looks like:

Plug in your Makey Makey to your computer.

Small side of USB cable plugs into Makey Makey, big side plugs into computer.

Hold the metal part of the other end of the alligator clip between your fingers. You are now “grounded”.

Your computer simply thinks you've plugged in an external keyboard.
Your computer may ask you to install drivers or do other setup. You can click cancel or close the window

While you’re still grounded, touch the round “Space” pad on the Makey Makey with your other hand, you should see a green light go on.

You created a CIRCUIT (loop)!

Note: The alligator clips are made of metal which is a good conductor. Some items are very poor conductors of electricity and these items fall into the category of "insulators". Watch this 30 second video to learn about conductors and insulators

Activity #1 - The Piano Game

Open the PIANO game.

Turn up your speakers.
Play the piano with the arrows on your computer keyboard.

How To Control the Makey Makey

Using your fingers, control the piano with your Makey Makey instead of the computer keyboard.

Using your left hand, pinch the "Earth" bar at the bottom of the Makey Makey then use your right index finger and touch arrows to play the keyboard. See video below.

HEY! If you were able to get the piano sound to play then you created a complete circuit!

NOTE: When you touch the Earth and an arrow you'll see a little green LED (Light Emitting Diode) light appear next to that arrow. When the green light appears that tells you the Makey Makey is working.

Bonus Activities

1. Touch the "Earth" with the index finger on your left hand. With your right hand hold your partner's left hand. Have your partner touch an arrow on your Makey Makey with her/his right hand index finger. The piano should play a note. Explain why the piano works using this strategy.

2. Repeat the same activity as described above but add MORE people holding hands. How many people can you add AND have the piano play?

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