Scratch theremin

Step 1: Make it

What is it?

Make a mysterious musical instrument you control by waving your hand.

How it works

• A theremin is a musical instrument that makes mysterious noises when you move your hands near it.
• The program runs in an infinite (forever) loop to constantly take readings from the micro:bit’s accelerometer.
• It measures the angle at which you tilt it forwards and backwards: the greater the angle of tilt, the higher pitched the sound will be.
• Find out more about theremins here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theremin

What you need

• micro:bit and optional battery pack
• a suitable computer with Scratch link installed. See https://scratch.mit.edu/microbit for details on how to get Scratch working with micro:bit

Step 2: Code it

Scratch

Open in Scratch

Download project

Step 3: Improve it

• Experiment with different instrument sounds.
• Record your own sounds and use them instead.
• Use the angle of tilt left and right to control the volume, like in a real theremin.