Although I do not own many of the latest technological devices, I do spend a considerable amount of time on the computer each day and texting on my phone. I think all of these new advances in technology can be very useful and helpful, especially with teaching students. The internet has lots of great resources that can definitely be used in teaching music. One time I searched "music theory worksheets" on the internet and found a number of sites that offered free printable worksheets to help students learn basic music theory. In addition to being useful for the students, it also saves the teacher time having to come up with their own worksheet. Besides theory there are many other programs that are free that can help students with ear training, rhythm, and note reading.
Probably my favorite resource that can be very beneficial in teaching music is YouTube. There are so many recordings of artists and music groups that I could ask my students to go home and YouTube the piece of music we are learning so they can hear how it goes. In music, students learn a lot from observation. If I'm teaching in a location where there are not many opportunities for them to go see a live concert, I can ask them to search a performance of a piece on YouTube. I'm excited to use these resources in my classroom and know that if used the right way they can help students become better players and musicians.
My brother plays the bagpipes, and I know he has software that does some really cool things...he can write music using it. If he plays his electric chanter into the computer, then it can automatically write the notes for him.
ReplyDeleteDo you have music professors who know about online resources for listening to and recording music?
It would be neat if you could find websites that take a musical composition and let you slow down the beat, change the tone, and do other things like that so you can see how these components of music change its overall meaning.
That's really cool about your brother being able to play his bagpipes and have the computer write what notes he's playing! I haven't asked any of my professors about free online resources so I'll have to do that. I know that Finale and Sibelius do those kind of special recording features but they aren't free. I'll have to look around and see if there are any that my students would be able to use.
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