1a. Have the students generate the first ten Fibonacci numbers. Since some definitions vary, for the purposes of this article the first ten will be taken as 0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34
1b. Ask how many keys are on the piano (since it is likely that some in-class will know there are 88 keys). This will be referred to as the full range of the piano: Keys 1-88
1c. The problem is how to fit the ten Fibonacci numbers to the full range of the piano. For example, the first number (0) will be at Key 1, and the last number (34) will be at Key 88. Where will the other Fibonacci numbers (1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21) go on the piano?
1d. At this point, either by teacher-guided whole class discussion or via small group work, the method of fitting the first ten Fibonacci numbers onto the full range of the piano should be made clear. Click for a detailed explanation of how the Division Operation would work in the current situation. This is a good time to emphasize proportional relationships as they relate to the Division Operation.
1e. Once it is clear to students where the first ten Fibonacci numbers would go and why (that is, how the Division Operation works), the teacher or a student can go to the Music Algorithms website and use the applet to play the notes. Although the site has a thorough help menu, you can also click on the following link to get annotated instructions on how to use the applet to play the notes.
