Responding to Music with Technology

In this highly technological world it is becoming more important every day to stay ass up to date as possible with the technology associated with your professional field. The more skilled an individual becomes in technology related to his or her field the easier things can be accomplished. This is no different in the music education field. This is true in every aspect from creating, rehearsing and even performing the music that is being taught.

 

 

Software Evaluation

This week in Technology Assisted Music Learning the focus was mainly about using technology to respond to music. A program was to be arbitrarily selected, reviewed and evaluated based on 6 criteria read about in the text.

Ø  Citation and General Information

Ø  Teacher Support

Ø  Instructional Content

Ø  Instructional Design and Pedagogical Soundness     

Ø  Record Keeping

Ø  Overall Evaluation.

This information can be found:

Bauer, W. I. (2014). Music learning today: Digital pedagogy for creating, performing, and                    responding to music. New York, NY: Oxford University Press.

www.oup.com/us/musiclearningtoday.

 

 

Social Bookmarking Project

Social bookmarking is a very organized and time saving method to look up music education resources that may useful for teaching purposes. As I completed this assignment I found web resources that will definitely be useful for my instructional and motivational purposes; especially for encouraging efficient practicing. The software to make the social aspect of bookmarking is Diigo. Here you can learn more about Diigo and sign up for an account:

https://www.diigo.com/sign-up

 

 

 

Zaption

Zaption was used mainly for a listening exercise that would have students more interactive with than just listening. I do feel in the future I can use for other purposes than just lecturing to students on different topics. Topics like the history of the steel pan or how the pan is made. This is where you can get started with Zaption: http://www.zaption.com/tours

               

 

 

Performing Music with Technology

After days, weeks, or sometimes even months of rehearsal, performance is usually the ultimate goal of musicians. There are different techniques used to achieve this and it is not always as easy as the presentation makes it seem. . These different techniques and strategies are used for working on trouble spots and building skills. This takes quite a bit of motivation and there are two types. There is intrinsic motivation where an individual engages in an activity for its own sake while on the other hand, in extrinsic motivation the reward is found outside of the task itself (Bauer 2014). This is just the start of preparing for performance.

Technology can assist with this motivation because it allows the individual who is practicing to have a feeling of being with one other person or even up to an entire ensemble. This can become important during personal rehearsal for the sake of keeping the individual focused.

Bauer, W. I. (2014). Music learning today: Digital pedagogy for creating, performing, and responding to music. New York, NY: Oxford University Press. 

www.oup.com/us/musiclearningtoday

 

Smartmusic/Youtube

 This week in my Technology Assisted Music Learning class we introduce to two sources that can assist students during their personal practice time. Smartmusic was one and Youtube another. These are two sources worth exploring because of the easy monitoring that can be done in smartmusic and the accessibility of Youtube.

Here is a great way to start with smartmusic: http://www.smartmusic.com/training/videos/

              

                        

Audacity              

 Finally for the week we explored with Audacity a piece of audio editing software. I find it has great potential for music programs to create their own advertisements and with working experience even be used for performance purposes.

 

 

 

                                                        

 

Creating Music with Technology-Focus on Composition

Creating Music with Technology - Focus on Composition

 

 There are many composers out there. Composers have had and still have an important part in the music industry. Although many new songs are created yearly, it is hard to determine if what is being “created” presently is truly authentic. At times what is new to people in one region is not new to another but with the use of technology this may all change. Many online Digital Audio Workstations (DAW) are making it possible share new compositions with audiences in your region and internationally as well. There are some programs that offer free version or trial periods that are good for users to be able to play around and get familiar with the particular program. It also allows them a time to realize whether or not the program or workstation has what they would need or want to accomplish their work.

Music Creativity and the "Other 80%

There is also what is referred to as the “other 80%”.  These are students that would like to contribute to music programs but not in a traditional capacity. Students can be attracted to music programs that offer more than just ensembles and regular theory classes. The website http://www.musiccreativity.org/, offers an opportunity for music educators to post profiles of classes that they introduced into their music programs that use technology to teach creativity. 

The following video is an example of how technology is assisting in composition at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music:

MIDI vs. Digital Audio

Musical instrument digital interface or MIDI is a set of instructions that allow electronic instruments and computers to communicate with each other. It is like a language that permits these devices to send messages between them. In MIDI the file tells the MIDI instrument what and how to play electronic sounds.

Digital audio on the other hand, is more like a tape recording. The recording stores actual sounds that can be played back. There is the possibility of editing the sounds but they usually are just played back.

Soundtrap

Soundtrap is an online Digital Audio Workstation that allows an individual the opportunity to create musical compositions. It works on the web, therefore; there is no need to install software on the computer, tablet or smartphone to use the software. The workstation is available anytime or anywhere which makes it easy to collaborate with others that are at a distance. Here is a link to my first project on Soundtrap:

https://www.soundtrap.com/eltinop

https://www.soundtrap.com/playlink/1d3830f6-f9a8-4eb7-a438-e613ecf2644e/