My first task!

After discovering this task, I immediately wanted to involve a piano.
(This is unrelated to the fact that I'm spending more time playing piano than doing my coursework at University... maybe.)

So, with my instrument on which to install my secret message chosen, I then needed the message itself, and also a form for it to take. I needed something that involves music... Something that has one clear connotation... Something that holds a message... It didn't take long for a certain theme to pop into my mind: it was perfect! It fit the bill precisely and completely. The message held within the theme was clear. Now, the form.

I wanted the activity of the discoverer attempting to figure out the message to be fun; something that wouldn't get in the way of their goals for the day. Knowing what it's like to be a pianist and the frustration that practice can lead to, I didn't want the activity to add to any pre-existing tension. I wanted it to be a bit of light relief, and if possible inspire a bit of improvisation.

So the form, I decided, had to give access straight to the musical element of my secret message. I thought about writing the notes out as a word, but that seemed just too easy. Of course I didn't want it to be tough, but giving it straight to them without any work whatsoever seemed empty and worthless. I needed to combine easy access to the musicality of it with an element of puzzle, so I decided to give the order of the notes in binary, with that order stuck onto the keys as post-its.

Looking back now, it seems that the order could be discovered without knowledge of binary as an increasing order is easily recognisable. But, with fun in mind, I don't mind so much now.

Kudos to you if you discover the secret message without the use of an instrument! :-)