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Welcome

This site provides resources for learning how to create digital music using Python code. You can find TunePad curriculum, tutorials, games, puzzles, and more. This materials is designed for learners who are new to both music and coding.

What is TunePad?

  • TunePad a free, online platform for creating music with Python code.
  • TunePad was developed at Northwestern University with funding from the National Science Foundation.
  • TunePad is free for everyone to use. We don't make money from advertising, and we will never sell your personal information.

What is Python?

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  • Python is one of the most widely-used programming languages in the world.
  • Python is easy to read and write, which makes it a popular choice for beginners.
  • It’s also powerful, which makes it a good choice for professionals.
  • Python is used for data science, artificial intelligence, web development, art, music, and video game development.
  • Python is a “text-based” language, which means that you type code instead of dragging blocks.

Getting Started

Our getting started activities are designed for beginners who are new to both music and Python programming.

Quick Start Guide

Quick Start Guide

Get started creating music with code. This guide walks through the basics of coding music with Python in TunePad
Beginner
Why Music and Code?

Why Music and Code?

Why would anyone want to make music with Python code?
Beginner
Chicago House Beat

Chicago House Beat

In this warmup activity create a Chicago House beat with Python code.
Beginner
Rhythm and Tempo

Rhythm and Tempo

Learn about beat, tempo and the foundations of rhythm
Beginner
Browse all 21 lessons and activities ⇨

TunePad Song Tutorials

TunePad tutorials give step-by-step instructions for recreating popular songs.

Chicago House Beat

Chicago House Beat

In this warmup activity create a Chicago House beat with Python code.
Beginner
Bad Bunny Remix

Bad Bunny Remix

Learn to use lists in Python to create chords. Practice using chords together to make progressions.
Beginner
Halloween Theme

Halloween Theme

Practice using functions and parameters in Python to play repeated patterns. Practice with variables, lists, and operators
Intermediate
Interstellar Theme

Interstellar Theme

Recreate the iconic melody from the movie, Interstellar.
Beginner
Browse all 17 tutorials ⇨

TunePad Puzzlers

TunePad puzzlers are games and challenges designed to sharpen your music+coding skills.

Fix Someone Like You

Fix Someone Like You

Adele is sad because of the code someone wrote for her song in TunePad. See if you can make the Python program better.
Intermediate
Underwater Mystery Melody

Underwater Mystery Melody

See if you can fix all of the syntax errors to reveal the mystery melody!
Beginner
Suspenseful Mystery Melody

Suspenseful Mystery Melody

See if you can fix all of the syntax errors to reveal the mystery melody!
Intermediate
Dark Side Mystery Melody

Dark Side Mystery Melody

See if you can fix all of the syntax errors to reveal the mystery melody!
Intermediate
Browse all 7 puzzlers ⇨

TunePad Interactives

TunePad interactives are tools to help explore the connections between music and code.

Interactive Drum Kit

Interactive Drum Kit

Learn the names and sounds of percussion instruments. Get the TunePad command to play different drum sounds.
TunePad Drum Scope

TunePad Drum Scope

See waveforms for different accoustic drum sounds. Create your own drum patterns and see the resulting TunePad code.
TunePad Beat Composer

TunePad Beat Composer

Experiment with digital drum sounds and create your own rhythmic patterns for TunePad.
Browse all 3 interactives ⇨

TunePad Documentation

Ready to dig in? Read the documentation for all of the TunePad functions and modules.