Lesson Plan
National First Ladies' Library

Synthesizing Music with the Technology Invention of the Modular Synthesizer

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students explore how to create synthesized music and discuss what they believe music would sound like without electronics. They explore a given website to determine how different types of instruments can be digitized. In groups, students...
Website
Other

Computer Music: Guide to Fm Synthesis

For Students 9th - 10th
Computer Music provides a detailed site of the history, advantages/disadvantages, and uses of FM synthesis. Provides many graphics.
Article
Cyberbee

Adventures of Cyberbee: Digital Audio Basics [Pdf]

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Try this beginner's tutorial for recording sound on the computer. It covers the historical background of audio files, file formats, basic audio recording, synthesized music and copyright.
Handout
Wikimedia

Wikipedia: Polyphony

For Students 9th - 10th
Wikipedia provides a brief description and history of the term, polyphony, including many hyperlinked terms.
Handout
Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Mit: Inventor of the Week: Robert Moog

For Students 3rd - 8th
Robert Moog fused his love music and electronics when he invented the synthesizer. This website includes background information on the creation of the synthesizer and provides several links.
Article
Other

Gyrofrog Communications: The Telharmonium

For Students 9th - 10th
Read a history of the telharmonium, how it works, and its influence upon electronic music.
Handout
Other

Karbos Guide: A Guide to Sound Cards and Digital Sound

For Students 9th - 10th
Informative site about the use of sound cards and the necessity for them in today's computer world.
Article
Other

Music Machines: Your First Synthesizer

For Students 9th - 10th
If you would like to know about buying a synthesizer, this article is a good resource. Included are tips on what to look for and how to experiment inexpensively.
Website
Other

The Wiard Synthesizer Company

For Students 9th - 10th
Providing information about the Wiard Synthesizer, this site includes pictures and sound samples of their synthesizer.
Graphic
Curated OER

Synthmuseum.com

For Students 9th - 10th
The headquarters for vintage and new synthesizers. This site offers information on a large collection of synthesizers from many makes and models.
Graphic
Curated OER

Minimoog Voyager

For Students 9th - 10th
The headquarters for vintage and new synthesizers. This site offers information on a large collection of synthesizers from many makes and models.