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/ 

Bicycle Built for Two

 

Bicycle Built for Two



The short musical piece entitled “A Bicycle Built for Two”, was my first experience working with Noteflight. This is an online music application that allows an individual to create, listen, print and share their compositions and arrangements. It is possible to work directly on your web browser and has a free version that allows one to gain experience in creating music. This could be a good educational tool for beginners because most of the work can be done using the mouse and this helps to make it user friendly. However, this is time consuming so as many keyboard shortcuts as possible should be learned. Further, the feature of sharing and allowing others to view, listen and give feedback allows the author of the piece to find out what other composers, arrangers, musicians, or even the average music listener thinks about their work; which can help them accomplish the desired result and reaction intended for their music.  

Creatve Music with Technology-An Overview of Creativity and Improvisation

Creating Music with Technology-An Overview of Creativity and Improvisation

 

 

Improvisation is a part of the creative spectrum and can be formulated collaboratively or on an individual basis. As an individual plays with a band there are times he or she may feel to step out of the normal live performance of the group. These are the times that improvisation takes place. These actions are not always of the conscious mind. Many times they just happen based on a feeling or some event that the individual may be experiencing at that time in their life.

As I explored during the second week of my Technology Assisted Music Learning class the focus was on acquiring knowledge and skills for creating music, with a particular focus on improvisation, affordances and constraints of technologies with application to musical creativity and applying technology to curricular outcomes.

Musical instrument digital interface (MIDI) allows instruments and computers to communicate. Through this, there are programs and applications that can assist teachers in introducing creativity and improvisation. The use of technology and the implementation of the 7-level sequential model for developing improvisational abilities by Kratus; awards opportunities for students in my steel band program to acquire the knowledge and skill to become creative (Bauer, 2014). This sequential model and examples of activities for teaching improvisation can be found in Music Learning Today by William I. Bauer.

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

 

The application I would explore with my students would be Noteflight because it is easy to open an account on line and share ideas with everyone in the group for feedback and suggestions. It is limited until you upgrade to where you

would have to pay. https://www.noteflight.com/

 

Musescore however, is music notation software that has a free download but the sharing process may not be as easy. It does allow students to save their work a file that could be open on or off the web for personal composing and creating development. https://musescore.org/

 

 

Following link is to an article about the importance of music educators being qualified. I think it is worth looking at: http://www.nafme.org/north-dakotas-answer-to-teacher-shortage-leaves-qualified-music-teachers-in-the-classroom/

 North Dakota’s Answer to Teacher Shortage Leaves Qualified Music Teachers in the Classroom

Posted on September 1, 2015 in Advocacy Groundswell Blog, NAfME News