Module 1: Rock Band

Official Raspberry Pi Project

This lesson is based on the official Raspberry Pi Foundation project. Open it alongside this guide to access the starter project, step-by-step instructions and community remixes.

How to use it: Click the link above, then click See Inside on the Scratch project to explore the finished version. Use Remix to get your own copy to edit.

What You Will Build

Create a musical ensemble using sprites as instruments.

What You Will Learn

By the end of this project you will be able to:

• Use Events blocks to start scripts and respond to clicks
• Combine Motion, Looks and Sound blocks to create behaviours
• Use variables to track game state and scores
• Apply the specific Scratch concepts introduced in Module 1

You Will Need

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Choose 4 instruments: guitar, drums, keyboard, bass.
2. Add a sprite for each instrument with at least 2 costumes (playing/idle).
3. Assign keyboard keys to each instrument: A=guitar, S=drums, D=keyboard, F=bass.
4. When a key is pressed: switch to playing costume, play instrument sound, wait, switch back.
5. Add a stage backdrop and crowd sprites in the background.
6. Create a beat variable that increments each second.
7. Add a song score that increases when instruments are played in rhythm.
8. Add a conductor sprite that displays which instrument should play next.
9. Add a recording feature using a list to capture a performance.
10. Replay the recorded performance with timing.

Extension Challenges

Try these after completing the main project:

• Add a second player using different keys for a two-player jam.
• Add visual effects like stage lights that pulse with the music.
• Create a setlist of songs with different rhythms.

Reflection Questions

1. Which Scratch blocks did you use most in this project?
2. What would you add or change if you had more time?
3. How could you reuse the ideas from this project in a different context?

Share Your Work

When your project is complete, click Share in Scratch and post the link to your class or the Techbase community.