Themed Custom Instrument
Stage: Year 7-9 / KS3 (Ages 11-14) Time: 1.5-2 hours Subjects: Music, Art, Design & Technology, Computing Board: SPOKE (either version — Audio Playground works the same on both)
Learning Objectives
Explore sound design and simple musical composition
Search, record, and organise audio using the SPOKE Audio Playground
Design a cohesive instrument interface around a creative theme
Perform an original short composition
Overview
Pupils choose a theme — Under the Sea, Space, Haunted House, or one of their own — and use the SPOKE Audio Playground to build a themed instrument. They search for or record sounds that fit the theme, assign them to sensor pads, then design and decorate a physical interface around the finished sound set.
Materials Needed
SPOKE board
Computer with a web browser and microphone
SPOKE Audio Playground page (spokeboard.com/play)
Crocodile clips
Craft materials to build or decorate an enclosure (card, paint, fabric, foil, etc.)
Instructions
Choose a theme and brainstorm 8-15 sounds that fit it
Open the Audio Playground and search for or record each sound, assigning it to a sensor pad
Test each pad to confirm the sound matches the intended theme and feel
Sketch a design for a physical interface or enclosure that reflects the theme
Build the enclosure, wiring any extended touch points to sensor pads with crocodile clips
Decorate the finished instrument
Compose and rehearse a short piece using the finished instrument
Perform for the class, explaining the design and sound choices made
Teacher Tips
Encourage pupils to think about the order and layout of pads as part of the performance, not just the sounds
A shared class sound bank can save time if several groups want similar effects
Keep individual sounds short (under 5 seconds) so performances stay tight and responsive
Extension Ideas
Layer two SPOKE boards for a duet with a wider sound palette
Record a finished performance and add it to a class showcase
Combine with the Class Story Soundboard project for a themed soundtrack to a story
Sounds are sourced and recorded using the free Audio Playground tool at spokeboard.com/play.
