I created a sub plan for my junior high and high school students that I am very proud of. I asked ChatGPT “how do you play ‘Ode to Joy’ on the violin?” and this is the answer I got:
To play "Ode to Joy" on the violin, you will need to know how to read sheet music and have some basic understanding of violin techniques. Here are the steps to play "Ode to Joy" on the violin:
Obtain the sheet music: You can either purchase the sheet music or find it online. Make sure you get the version that is suitable for the violin.
Familiarize yourself with the notes: "Ode to Joy" is a simple melody, and the notes are not too difficult. Spend some time practicing the notes by playing them slowly, making sure you are hitting the right notes and that they are in tune.
Practice the bowing technique: The bowing technique is crucial to creating a good sound on the violin. You will need to use long, smooth strokes with the bow to create a consistent sound. Practice your bowing technique by playing long notes with even pressure.
Put it all together: Once you have practiced the notes and bowing technique, it's time to put them together. Start by playing the melody slowly and gradually increase the tempo as you get more comfortable.
Add dynamics: "Ode to Joy" is a song that requires different dynamics, meaning changes in volume. Practice playing the song with a range of dynamics, from soft to loud, to make the piece more interesting.
Practice, practice, practice: Keep practicing until you can play "Ode to Joy" with ease. With time and practice, you will be able to play the song beautifully on the violin.
Remember to have fun and enjoy the process of learning to play "Ode to Joy" on the violin.
Not entirely satisfied with the response, I asked “what notes do I need to play ‘Ode to Joy’ on the violin?” It replied:
Here are the notes to play "Ode to Joy" on the violin:
G G A B B A G F F G A A G F E E F G G F E D D E C C E D G G A B B A G F F G A A G F E E F G G F E D D E C C E D D D E C C E D E E F G G F E G G A B B A G F F G A A G F E E F G G F E D D E C C E D
These notes are written in treble clef, which is the standard clef for the violin. The letter names above each note represent the pitch of the note. For example, "G" is a G note, "A" is an A note, and so on. The rhythm of each note is indicated by the note's shape and position on the staff.
Flummoxed, I did the same for the viola, cello, and bass, and got equally weird answers, with completely different notes to play, none of which remotely resemble the notes to “Ode to Joy.”
Here’s what I asked my students to do:
What does ChatGPT get right about playing your instrument generally and playing “Ode To Joy” in particular? Provide at least two examples.
What does ChatGPT get wrong or leave out about playing your instrument generally and “Ode to Joy” in particular? If you just came home from the music store with a brand new viola, would you be able to play “Ode to Joy” based on the instructions given?
Find someone who plays a different than you do and compare your set of instructions with theirs. How are they similar? How are the different?
What does this activity teach out about the value or usefulness of applications like ChatGPT? Write at least three sentences.
I hope they enjoy it and learn a few things in the process.