Module 5: Drone Dance Party -Choreography in the Air

Materials You’ll Need:

• A computer or tablet with internet access
• Headphones (recommended!)
• Access to these websites:
  
  • Google MusicFX: https://labs.google/fx/tools/music-fx
  • Google MusicFX DJ: https://labs.google/fx/tools/music-fx-dj

Part 1: Prompt Your Way to a Beat with MusicFX 🎧

Goal: Learn how to guide AI to create music using text prompts.

1. Open MusicFX: Go to https://labs.google/fx/tools/music-fx.
2. Start Simple: In the prompt box, type a basic description of the music you want to hear.
   
   • Examples: “upbeat electronic dance track,” “sad piano melody,” “acoustic guitar for studying,” “8-bit video game music.”
3. Generate & Listen: Click “Generate” and listen to what the AI creates.
4. Experiment! This is where your creativity shines. Try:
   
   • Adding details: What happens if you add moods (e.g., “energetic,” “mysterious,” “peaceful”), instruments (e.g., “with saxophone solo,” “heavy drums”), tempo (e.g., “fast,” “slow”), or even places/times (e.g., “sounds like a rainforest at night,” “futuristic city vibe”)?
   • Changing one word: How does tweaking a single word in your prompt change the outcome?
   • Saving your favorites: If you like a track, see if you can download it or save the prompt you used.
5. Try at least 5 different prompts. What worked well? What was surprising?

Part 2: DJ Your AI Tracks with MusicFX DJ 🎛️

Goal: Mix and modify music tracks like a DJ, using AI-generated sounds.

1. Open MusicFX DJ: Go to https://labs.google/fx/tools/music-fx-dj.
2. Explore the Interface: This tool lets you mix different layers of music (like drums, bass, melodies). You can type prompts for each layer or let the AI suggest combinations.
3. Generate & Mix:
   
   • Try prompting different sounds for different layers. For example, “funky bassline” in one layer and “dreamy synth pads” in another.
   • Experiment with changing the tempo (BPM) or key.
   • Play with the different mixing options the tool provides. How can you make two different AI-generated loops sound good together?
4. Challenge: Try to create a short song (30-60 seconds) that tells a simple story or creates a specific mood (e.g., “getting ready for an adventure,” “relaxing by the beach,” “a chase scene”).
   
   • You can use tracks you liked from MusicFX (if you can import or re-prompt them) or generate new ones directly in MusicFX DJ.

Part 3: Showcase and Share 🎤

• Present Your Piece: Share one of your favorite creations with the group.
• Talk About It:
  
  • What was your creative process? How did you come up with your prompts?
  • What did you find easy or challenging about using these AI tools?
  • How is creating music with AI different from traditional ways?
  • Can AI be truly creative? What’s the role of the human in this process?

Dive Deeper (Optional Challenges):

• Theme Song: Try to create a short theme song for your favorite book, movie, or even for yourself!
• Genre Blender: Use prompts to try and blend two very different musical genres. What happens?
• Soundscape Story: Instead of a song with a beat, try to create a soundscape that tells a story using only ambient sounds and moods generated by AI.
• Remix It: If the tool allows, try to get variations of a track you like and see how different they are.

This activity is all about exploration and discovery. There are no “right” or “wrong” answers, just your unique creations and insights. Have fun experimenting with the future of music!