A new guide in the Adafruit Learning System: the Circuit Playground Express Musical Glove

There are lots of ways to make music with the Circuit Playground Express and Microsoft MakeCode. This musical glove lets you control the notes you play, just by moving your hand!

It’s inspired by the MI.MU glove invented by Imogen Heap, which uses gestures to remotely control a synthesizer, leaving the musician free to move around the stage. The still-experimental gloves have been used in concert by Heap and other artists, including Ariana Grande.

Maker and children’s author Helen Leigh worked with Heap to make a kit for kids called the MINI:MU. The MINI.MU uses the BBC micro:bit, and comes with a felt glove for you to sew, adding pockets to hold the board, a speaker, and a battery pack.

This version uses the Circuit Playground Express instead of the micro:bit, which eliminates the need to add a speaker, since there’s already one onboard. You don’t even need to do any sewing — just attach the CPX directly to an existing glove and you’re good to go!

Programming is super easy and customizable with Microsoft MakeCode.

See this new guide now in the Adafruit Learning System!