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EarSketch: An integrated approach to teaching introductory computer music

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 July 2013

Scott McCoid ,
Jason Freeman ,
Brian Magerko ,
Christopher Michaud ,
Tom Jenkins ,
Tom Mcklin  and
Hera Kan
Scott McCoid*
Affiliation:
Georgia Tech Center for Music Technology, 840 McMillan St, Atlanta GA 30332-0456, USA
Jason Freeman*
Affiliation:
Georgia Tech Center for Music Technology, 840 McMillan St, Atlanta GA 30332-0456, USA
Brian Magerko*
Affiliation:
School of Literature, Media & Culture, Georgia Tech, 686 Cherry St. Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA
Christopher Michaud*
Affiliation:
Marist School, 3790 Ashford Dunwoody Road, NE, Atlanta, GA 30319-1899, USA
Tom Jenkins*
Affiliation:
School of Literature, Media & Culture, Georgia Tech, 686 Cherry St. Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA
Tom Mcklin*
Affiliation:
The Findings Group, 1201 Clairmont Road, Suite 305, Decatur, GA 30030, USA
Hera Kan*
Affiliation:
Eliot-Pearson School of Child Development, Tufts University, 105 College Avenue, Medford, MA 02155, USA
*
E-mails: smccoid3@gatech.edu; jason.freeman@gatech.edu; magerko@gatech.edu; michaudc@marist.com; tom.jenkins@gatech.edu; tom@thefindingsgroup.com; hera.kan@tufts.edu
E-mails: smccoid3@gatech.edu; jason.freeman@gatech.edu; magerko@gatech.edu; michaudc@marist.com; tom.jenkins@gatech.edu; tom@thefindingsgroup.com; hera.kan@tufts.edu
E-mails: smccoid3@gatech.edu; jason.freeman@gatech.edu; magerko@gatech.edu; michaudc@marist.com; tom.jenkins@gatech.edu; tom@thefindingsgroup.com; hera.kan@tufts.edu
E-mails: smccoid3@gatech.edu; jason.freeman@gatech.edu; magerko@gatech.edu; michaudc@marist.com; tom.jenkins@gatech.edu; tom@thefindingsgroup.com; hera.kan@tufts.edu
E-mails: smccoid3@gatech.edu; jason.freeman@gatech.edu; magerko@gatech.edu; michaudc@marist.com; tom.jenkins@gatech.edu; tom@thefindingsgroup.com; hera.kan@tufts.edu
E-mails: smccoid3@gatech.edu; jason.freeman@gatech.edu; magerko@gatech.edu; michaudc@marist.com; tom.jenkins@gatech.edu; tom@thefindingsgroup.com; hera.kan@tufts.edu
E-mails: smccoid3@gatech.edu; jason.freeman@gatech.edu; magerko@gatech.edu; michaudc@marist.com; tom.jenkins@gatech.edu; tom@thefindingsgroup.com; hera.kan@tufts.edu
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Abstract

EarSketch is an all-in-one approach to supporting a holistic introductory course to computer music as an artistic pursuit and a research practice. Targeted to the high school and undergraduate levels, EarSketch enables students to acquire a strong foundation in electroacoustic composition, computer music research and computer science. It integrates a Python programming environment with a commercial digital audio workstation program (Cockos’ Reaper) to provide a unified environment within which students can use programmatic techniques in tandem with more traditional music production strategies to compose music. In this paper we discuss the context and goals of EarSketch, its design and implementation, and its use in a pilot summer camp for high school students.

Type
Articles
Information
Organised Sound , Volume 18 , Special Issue 2: Best Practices in the Pedagogy of Electroacoustic Music and its Technology , August 2013 , pp. 146 - 160
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2013 

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