Introduce the activity and confirm all players understand the steps.

In Step 1, the key is for each student to discover a word that will provide an aesthetic for the sonic collage, (e.g. “chaotic” or “colorful”). This word provides intentionality/direction, and will be a discussion point as the finished work is presented. 

Nominate a player to share their word. Encourage them to explain their choice. Each player’s word can be captured in the band’s slides, on the “Make Something” slide.

Nominate the next person to give KSHH to the previous player, and then present their word, and repeat until everyone has a turn. This Step is a great opportunity to discuss aesthetics, individual’s tastes, creative license, and respect.

Step 2: Give students the invite/link to their band’s studio, and make sure students are in the correct Soundtrap studio and active, (able to interact and hear). Important: Remind players that the goal of this activity is to create a sonic collage. The weirder/stranger the better. Have fun learning what the Soundtrap studio tools can do, and don’t worry about making something that sounds good! (This is also a wonderful opportunity to discuss what is music, and why.) Review how to use player ‘lanes.’ Position and activate the looper over a lane. Now it's students’ turn to try it. Students give a thumbs up when ready to continue - and can post in the chat if they need any help.

Step 3: Create Rhythm. Share your screen with the class as you demonstrate how to create a rhythm using the Pattern Builder tool in the “Rhythm” track.  We recommend you work with a band to demonstrate how to follow these steps.

1. Click on the Drum icon at the far left on the track to open the tool. Demonstrate the “Instrument” tab which allows you to select and change drum sounds and effects. Select a drum sound from the menu.
2. Demonstrate the “Patterns” tab which opens the drum machine (sequencer) interface. 
3. Note: Make sure the loop indicator is ‘ON’ (light purple, not grey), and is located over the correct measures (lane), AND that the purple “Patterns” interface is scrolled to the correct measures as well. The active area will show as a lighter dark purple, and students will be able to activate the squares by clicking/drawing on them.
4. Show how you can create a rhythm, listen to it, and change the pattern and sounds. Any questions?
5. Direct students that it's their turn now. In 5-10 minutes, students will create a rhythm, and play it back to audition it. Encourage students who finish early to make improvements to the rhythm, and/or adjust the sounds.
6. Students will listen to their bandmates’ rhythms and give KSHH feedback (verbally, in the Soundtrap chat window, or in the band's slides).‍

Step 4: Create with the keyboard instrument in your “Melody” track. Note: There are three ways to play the keyboard instrument in Soundtrap: 1) use your mouse to click on the keys of virtual keyboard in the “Instrument” tab, 2) type on your computer keyboard (see the letter/number names on the virtual keyboard image), and 3) ‘write’ notes by using the pencil tool in the “Piano Roll” tab. Today we’ll demonstrate option #2. 

1. Share your screen with the class as you demonstrate how to create using a keyboard instrument. We recommend you work with a band to demonstrate how to follow these steps.
2. Press the “R” button in the “Melody” track to enable recording. 
3. Click on the Keyboard icon at the far left of the track to open the keyboard. Demonstrate the “Instrument” tab which allows you to select and change keyboard and pitched instrument sounds, and effects. Select a keyboard sound from the menu.
4. Show that touching the letters on your computer keyboard will play the corresponding keyboard pitches, (or touchscreen users can touch the keyboard keys on the screen). You can play single note sequences (melodies), or groups of pitches together (chords).
5. Press the round red Record button at the bottom of the studio. There will be a countdown, and then Soundtrap will be recording whatever you play! If the loop indicator is on and over your lane, it will stop the recording at the end of your lane. Or you can press the square Stop button to end recording.
6. Demonstrate the “Piano Roll” tab which shows the notes you recorded, and tools for editing. Are there any questions?
7. Direct students that it's their turn now. In 5-10 minutes, students will create melody/chords, and play it back to audition it. Encourage students who finish early to make improvements to the pitches, and/or adjust the sounds.
8. Students will listen to their bandmates’ rhythms and give KSHH feedback (verbally, in the Soundtrap chat window, or in the band's slides).

Step 5: Record anything in your “Microphone” track. Share your screen with the class as you demonstrate how to record into a microphone. We recommend you work with a band to demonstrate how to follow these steps.

1. Press the “R” button in the “Microphone” track to enable recording. Note: On a video call students will now hear an ‘echo’ effect because the sound is coming through two sources - the video call and Soundtrap. You can mute either the Microphone track, or your video call microphone to avoid this. 
2. Soundtrap asks if you have headphones (you should), and if you need to select a microphone source. Demonstrate the “Instrument” tab which allows you to select and change keyboard and pitched instrument sounds, and effects. Select a keyboard sound from the menu.
3. Click on the microphone icon at the far left of the track to open the controls. You can select different ‘voice’ effects, just like you can choose different instruments.
4. To record, press the red “Start Recording” button, (or the round red Record button at the bottom of the studio). There will be a countdown, and then Soundtrap will be recording whatever sounds you make into the microphone! If the loop indicator is on and over your lane, it will stop the recording at the end of your lane. Or you can press the square Stop button to end recording.
5. Note: disable the "R" icon after recording, otherwise the echo sound will persist on the video call.
6. Direct students that it's their turn now. In 5-10 minutes, students will create a recording, and play it back to audition it. Encourage students who finish early to adjust the sounds of all three of their tracks to create the sonic collage they want.

Students will listen to their bandmates’ collages and give KSHH feedback (verbally, in the Soundtrap chat window, or in the band's slides). 

Invite each band to update their Google slides with their sonic collage piece and to give their bandmates KSHH feedback on the next slide. To export an mp3 from Soundtrap, select File>Export>Export as mp3.