PLN Week 7: Music Trainer

If you’re in a situation similar to mine, you have students that play instruments that you are not that familiar with.  Just like everyone else I took methods classes and I am certified to teach instrumental music in secondary schools.  However, I would not recommend all of my students that they take lessons from me.  There are many who are much more qualified than me to teach woodwind lessons. 

I am, however, very comfortable with voice, strings and percussion.  For those of you who are not, here is a website that has lessons for voice, guitar, bass, piano, and drums.  It’s kind or a rock lesson website, but has some valuable tip concerning the basics and technique.

Link:  Music Trainer

PLN Week 7: NETFLIX

As I have mentioned before, I work at a very small school in southern Idaho (approx. 250 students k-12).  As such, most of the students in my music and theatre classes are also involved in other activities (BPA, athletics).  Whenever there is an off-campus activity, there is little point to continue rehearsals with well under fifty percent of my class absent (today happens to be one of those days, hence I am catching up on my PLN posts).  In lieu of regular rehearsal, provided there are no logistical issues that need to be addressed in class, I show educational, musical videos, and we discuss them in class.  I shortly ran out of videos in my personal stash at the beginning of the year, so I now utilize my personal NETFLIX account to find appropriate educational videos for my class when we are few in numbers.  Perhaps this is not the most effective use of time, but it provides for some great class discussions and gives me some wonderful insight into my students’ intellects.

Link:  NETFLIX

PLN Week 6: The Breathing Gym

Here is another video I use with my students to work on breathing..  I teach primarily vocal music, but also direct the instrumental program at my school, this technique comes in handy.  They say this technique will work equally well for vocalist or instrumentalists.  I tend to agree.  This video comes from the production company's youtube channel, so it should be legal.

Link:  The Breathing Gym

PLN Week 6: What happened to Sesame Street?

Greetings fellow educators.  The subject of this week's first post has been in my arsenal for quite some time.  This is an old Sesame Street clip involving several animated circles of different colors.  The music is a Philip Glass composition.  I think that the animation is paired quite appropriately with the music and is a good visual representation of what is happening in the music.  I use this video to demonstrate the minimalist genre.  It is a good representation of the formulaic method involved in minimalist composition.  I also use it to show my students what Sesame Street was like when I was a kid.  The video is linked and embedded below.

Link:  Philip Glass - Sesame Street

PLN Week 5: Michael Furstner's JAZCLASS

I have been a big fan of jazz since my early years in music.  But for a long time, the particulars of jazz were foreign to me.  I liked the sound of jazz, but had trouble duplicating it.  Here is a website that goes over quite a bit.  There are lessons on jazz theory and rhythm, tutorials on scales and chords, and an area where you can play along with jazz standards like Autumn Leaves and Caravan.

Link:  JAZCLASS

PLN Week 5: USTREAM

This is a great idea for students and teachers that I have not considered before.  A good friend of mine, and phenomenal guitarist, is about to complete his master's degree at Indiana University.  His master's recital is upcoming, and he decided that he wanted to stream it online for those who would attend, but are restricted by their proximity to the event.  The website allows for such streaming, and also has channels for more general viewing.  Two links: one for the general site, the other for the recital, this Thursday at 10:00pm EST

Link:  USTREAM

Link:  B. G. MATTHEWS

PLN Week 4: Big Ears

This is a fun website.  The design is kind of simple and old, but sufficient for what it is trying to accomplish.  There are other websites that have a similar function, but if you want to send students to a website that won't distract them from a single task, this could be helpful.

Link: Big Ears

PLN Week 4: ProProfs Flashcards

While I was browsing some class websites of other schools, I happened upon this morsel of musical goodness.  ProProfs Flashcards is a website containing helps for a vast array of academic subjects, music being one of them.  The set linked here deals specifically with key signatures.

Link:  ProProfs Flashcards

PLN Week 3: 8notes

I just found this website.  It has free sheet music and lessons for students and teachers.  It also has some neat tools like MIDI converters, blank manuscript paper, drum riff generators and tuners.  Have a look around and let me know what you think.

Link:  8notes

PLN Week 3: Grooveshark

This is a website I use quite frequently in class to find listening examples for my students. While using an mp3 player or audio program is fine, it limits the options to what is contained in the program or device.  I can usually find what I need if I'm looking on the fly, and I can almost always find what I'm looking for if I give myself a little prep time.  Enjoy!

Link:  Grooveshark

A Bicycle Built for Two

Hey all,

Here is my posting for the notation assignment this week.  Noteflight is a handy online application for any beginning compose/arranger.  It has any of the tools one would need for a basic notation project.  It is limited in some areas, however.  The drum effects are limited to just a few sounds, and I found it difficult to work on a shared project.  While I was working on my own project the application worked just fine, but it became quite frustrating when I was trying to edit a project shared by more than a few people.  I kept getting kicked out of the project (often when I was trying to save it) and would have to start over from where I last saved successfully.  I would not recommend working on large projects with a lot of people with this application.  I would, however, recommend it for anyone who would like to try their hand at music notation without purchasing an expensive program.  It could also be handy for someone who does not own a computer, but can access one at a library or school.

PLN Week 2: The X Factor

Let me begin by saying that I am not a fan of shows like American Idol, Glee, or America's Got Talent, but I know there are a lot of teachers that believe that programming of this sort can be a great recruiting tool.  Therefor, in the interest of the unimpeded flow of information, here is a link for a new Simon Cowell series much like American Idol.  One of the main differences is that there is no age ceiling.  I know that the age limit for American Idol is twenty-eight (I know, it's beginning to sound like I'm a closet fan.  My sisters love the show)  There is a minimum age requirement of twelve.  Pass it along to any students who may be interested in this or use it for yourself.  I was also hoping to begin a discussion on the educational merits (actual or perceived) of this kind of programming.  Let me know what you think.

Link:  The X Factor

PLN Week 2: Pro Drum Tips

I teach music at a small k-12 school (250 students total).  They have been without a band from several years and, though I was a choral major in college, I agreed to begin a band as well.  The school had a decent drum kit, but it was in pretty poor condition.  Having no experience repairing a drum kit, and not knowing any music educators in the area, I began searching online for some help.  I found this youtube channel, sponsored by Evans percussion.  It's instructions were easy to follow, and I have the kit repaired in no time.  ENJOY!

Link:  Pro Drum Tips

PLN Week 1: Music Instinct: Science and Song

This documentary explores a growing field that is an amalgamation of music and neurology, often referred to as neuromusicology.  Scientists and musicians explore the connection of music and psychology.  Featuring musician Bobby McFerrin (among others), this documentary is available at pbs.org.  It is also currently available for instant play on netflix.com for subscribers.

Link:  Music Instinct: Science and Song

PLN Week 1: Ricci Adams' Musictheory.net

Most, if not all music educators are probably familiar with this website.  It is one that has been beneficial to many of my colleagues and students in the recent past.  It provides lessons and exercises on many musical principles.  It's easy to follow and user-friendly.  It also has tools to help music students in their learning, including a staff paper generator.  Have a look around and let me know what you think.

Link: Ricci Adam's Musictheory.net

Welcome to my blog!  This is my first attempt at such a venture.  It has never been my nature to share much about myself or my personal thoughts.  But as my thoughts become more relevant to my field of study, perhaps I should weigh in on the blogosphere.  Feel free to leave any comments you wish, even if you are not enrolled in Technology for Music Teaching and Learning at Kent State University.