What is Bach Doodle?
The Bach Doodle appeared on Google's homepage on March 21, 2019, to celebrate composer Johann Sebastian Bach. It was Google's first ever AI-powered Doodle. You place notes on a short two-measure staff to write a melody, press Harmonize, and the Doodle adds three more voices so your tune plays back as a four-part piece in Bach's style.
It was made with Google's Magenta and PAIR teams. The model behind it, Coconet, was developed by Magenta AI Resident Anna Huang and trained on 306 of Bach's chorale harmonisations. It is still playable in the Google Doodles archive, along with a behind the scenes write-up. There is also a hidden easter egg that switches the harmony to an 80s rock style if you find it.
What You Can Do
- Compose a two-measure melody by placing notes
- One button to harmonise it in four voices
- Play back the four-part result and try a new tune
- A hidden 80s rock easter egg
- Behind the scenes notes on the Coconet model
How to Play Bach Doodle
- Open the Bach Doodle page in the Google Doodles archive.
- Start the Doodle and click on the staff to add notes.
- Press Harmonize to hear your melody in Bach's style.
- Tweak the notes and harmonise again.
Is Bach Doodle Free?
The Bach Doodle is free to play in the Google Doodles archive with no account or purchases.
Who Will Enjoy It?
- Classical music fans
- Music teachers showing harmony in action
- Beginners who cannot read music but want to compose
- Anyone curious about AI and music
Websites Like Bach Doodle
- A.I. Duet: Another Google music experiment where a neural network plays along with you.
- Blob Opera: Machine learning harmony again, this time sung by opera blobs.
- Chrome Music Lab: More playful browser music toys from Google.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Bach Doodle free?
Yes. It is free to play in the Google Doodles archive with no sign-up.
Do I need to read music?
No. You just click notes onto the staff and listen. The AI fills in the harmony.
How does the AI harmonise my melody?
It uses Coconet, a Magenta model trained on 306 Bach chorale harmonisations.