Uploaded June 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
In this CODE Along module, the focus is on music – specifically building a professional drum track using Python. In episode 4 of CODE Along season 5, you will learn how to use the platform TunePad to code your own music from scratch. Follow along as we program various drum components to create a unique song. You'll master essential coding and music production concepts like using functions to trigger specific instrument sounds, creating loops to repeat sections of your beat efficiently, and adjusting parameters like velocity to control volume.
Skip to the good stuff:
0:00 Introduction
0:42 Creating a TunePad Account
1:02 Starting a New Project and Interface Overview
1:12 Understanding Cells and Instruments
1:43 The Basics of Beats, Measures, and the Piano Roll
2:34 Navigating the Instrument Library and Sound Numbers
3:26 Adjusting Song Speed (BPM)
4:10 Introduction to Functions: The playNote Function
4:57 Visualizing Notes in the Piano Roll
5:22 Adjusting Note Duration with the beats Input
5:59 Coding a Basic Drum Loop
6:41 Layering Sounds: Adding Snares and Kicks in Separate Cells
7:40 Advanced Layering: Adding Claps and Shakers
8:19 Introduction to For Loops for Efficiency
9:12 Indentation and Syntax in For Loops
10:14 Controlling Volume with the velocity Input
11:01 Final Drum Track Demo and Summary
Missed a line of code? No worries! View the CODE Along Cheat Sheet here: tiny.url/bgccheatsheet
Want more? Sign up to join Black Girls CODE's community at community.wearebgc.org
Support Our Non-Profit Mission
----------------------------------------------
Support us: donorbox.org/blackgirlscode
Check out our merch: wearebgc.org/merch
----------------------------------------------
Connect With Us
----------------------------------------------
Peep us on Instagram: instagram.com/blackgirlscode
Follow us on Facebook: facebook.com/BlackGirlsCodeOrg
Share our content on TikTok: tiktok.com/@blackgirlscode
Find us on Twitter: https://x.com/BlackGirlsCode
Send us a message: wearebgc.org/connect-with-us
About CODE Along
Everyone is invited to CODE Along with Black Girls CODE. It's a free, video-based coding academy where Black girls, young women, and students of all genders receive tangible, educational, and entertaining tutorials to help incite interest in computer science and technology. With fun and impactful projects and simple step-by-step lessons, this series encourages you to code along while our expert coders make digital art, animated art, and build games. In these 15 minutes or less episodes, CODE Along is designed to reach millions of underrepresented girls and arm them with the tech skills and confidence they need to build brighter futures.
#howtocode #blackgirlscode #python #tunepad #codingtutorial #codealong #musicproduction
BGC | CODE Along Season 5, Episode 4
In this CODE Along module, the focus is on music – specifically building a professional drum track using Python. In episode 4 of CODE Along season 5, you will learn how to use the platform TunePad to code your own music from scratch. Follow along as we program various drum components to create a unique song. You'll master essential coding and music production concepts like using functions to trigger specific instrument sounds, creating loops to repeat sections of your beat efficiently, and adjusting parameters like velocity to control volume.
Skip to the good stuff:
0:00 Introduction
0:42 Creating a TunePad Account
1:02 Starting a New Project and Interface Overview
1:12 Understanding Cells and Instruments
1:43 The Basics of Beats, Measures, and the Piano Roll
2:34 Navigating the Instrument Library and Sound Numbers
3:26 Adjusting Song Speed (BPM)
4:10 Introduction to Functions: The playNote Function
4:57 Visualizing Notes in the Piano Roll
5:22 Adjusting Note Duration with the beats Input
5:59 Coding a Basic Drum Loop
6:41 Layering Sounds: Adding Snares and Kicks in Separate Cells
7:40 Advanced Layering: Adding Claps and Shakers
8:19 Introduction to For Loops for Efficiency
9:12 Indentation and Syntax in For Loops
10:14 Controlling Volume with the velocity Input
11:01 Final Drum Track Demo and Summary
Missed a line of code? No worries! View the CODE Along Cheat Sheet here: tiny.url/bgccheatsheet
Want more? Sign up to join Black Girls CODE's community at community.wearebgc.org
Support Our Non-Profit Mission
----------------------------------------------
Support us: donorbox.org/blackgirlscode
Check out our merch: wearebgc.org/merch
----------------------------------------------
Connect With Us
----------------------------------------------
Peep us on Instagram: instagram.com/blackgirlscode
Follow us on Facebook: facebook.com/BlackGirlsCodeOrg
Share our content on TikTok: tiktok.com/@blackgirlscode
Find us on Twitter: https://x.com/BlackGirlsCode
Send us a message: wearebgc.org/connect-with-us
About CODE Along
Everyone is invited to CODE Along with Black Girls CODE. It's a free, video-based coding academy where Black girls, young women, and students of all genders receive tangible, educational, and entertaining tutorials to help incite interest in computer science and technology. With fun and impactful projects and simple step-by-step lessons, this series encourages you to code along while our expert coders make digital art, animated art, and build games. In these 15 minutes or less episodes, CODE Along is designed to reach millions of underrepresented girls and arm them with the tech skills and confidence they need to build brighter futures.
#howtocode #blackgirlscode #python #tunepad #codingtutorial #codealong #musicproduction
BGC | CODE Along Season 5, Episode 4
