Background

A musical instrument is an object created or adapted to make musical sounds. However, note that any object that produces sound can be employed as a musical instrument. An electronic musical instrument uses electronic circuitry to produce an electrical or digital signal, which is then connected to a power amplifier and loudspeakers to make sound. Electronic musical instruments range from electric guitars and synthesisers that are very popular in some genres of music, to obscure instruments such as the theremin that is played without touching it.
​​​​​​​A smart electronic device is a useful instrument, machine, or gadget that is controlled by electronic circuitry microcontroller boards, or sometimes by a single-board computer like a Raspberry Pi, and that perform only a few limited functions. We have many different kinds of devices at home, on our person, or at school to perform useful work for us, or to provide us with information, in order to increase our well-being.
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The design brief

Design an electronic musical instrument for yourself using simple electronic circuitry, or a microcontroller board like the Arduino. The instrument may produce any kind of sound for playing music. The instrument may be portable or not, depending on where it will be used. Construct a working prototype of your musical instrument and test it. Work on this project on your own, or together with a classmate.

​​​​​The design thinking process

Follow the six stages of the design thinking process to ensure that you are thorough and do everything necessary to succeed in your design project. First, you endeavour to understand the design topic and EMPATHISE with the needs of the users. With that understanding, you can DEFINE what is essential to the product or system that you are designing. Then you IDEATE, that is, you creatively come up with ideas and develop them. The next step is to PROTOTYPE your chosen design solution in a physical form and improve it through trial-and-error. Then you TEST your design idea to elicit the opinions of users. And finally, at the end of the process, you REFLECT upon your project to benefit from the experience. Use the appropriate methods from the Design Thinking for Schools website as you proceed along the design thinking process.
 

Note for teachers

Undertaking a student design project using electrical parts or microcontrollers such as Arduino requires:

• teachers who are able to supervise such a project;
• laboratories or workshops with electrical and electronic parts and tools;
• ​​​​​​​and students who are trained to work with electricity, tools, and equipment.

Read the guide for teachers on Safety for the PROTOTYPE Stage for Level IV to safely supervise this design project.