Never Loose Sight

Friday, August 10, 2012

Pyware

My favorite bit of music technology was finally mentioned here in the text during week 7 of our class.  I use Pyware 3d to design marching band drill design.  At first I did it for fun, then I got very engaged in writing and write for bands and drum corps whenever I can.  This bit of technology has really changed the activity for the better.  Check them out at          
 
Pyware 3D                                                                                                                            

Monday, August 6, 2012

Ted Talks

I always find insperation from the TED Talks.  A summit of the greatest minds in the world together discussing how the human mind works.  Here is a resource of TED Talks regarding music education that we can all benefit from.  Not sure if all are effective for your classes, but they will inspire you as you start the new year.

Ted Talks

Saturday, August 4, 2012

Band Director.com

I use this website often to find resources on material, techniques, and lessons.  It's nice to have a place to find material I can use the next day in my class.  Many videos and resources that are useful to use in the classroom with my students.  They also have many resources regarding fundraising and new tools that I find useful.  Check them out.

BandDirector.com

Jazz class

I found this great jazz website to help your students learn improvisations skills.  Scales, chords, and even recordings of background tracks to help students practice.  Some of the concepts may be over the heads of your students but it is a great resource to learn scales and passages.  I highly suggest Jazz Class.

Jazz Class


Thursday, July 26, 2012

Finding the funds?

We often suggest that funding is what limits us as being able to bring technology into the classroom.  Here is a great website with links to online resources to get funding through local, state and federal agencies and tips when writing your grants.   I know we're all busy so may I suggest finding a booster parent or two who may be able to help you out prepare grants to bring technology to your classroom?  Check them out and hopefully we can all find some resources for our schools.

Finding Funds

Good Ear

I've shared a lot of links regarding music theory that I found useful for general music classrooms at a variety of grade levels.  Well, here's one more!  Good Ear is an online ear training site where students can listen to a series of examples at different difficulty levels.  It records their progress and is 100% free check them out.

Good Ear

Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Sight Reading Generator

Wow!  I just found Sight Reading Factory.  Go sign up for your 7 day trial and check out their site.  There you can generate hundreds of sight reading examples in a variety of keys, times and difficulties.  You generate it for the instrument you specifically want too.  Great for auditions and assesments!  Then you can buy a year subscription for only $30!  I'm going to ask for my school site to pay for it as its an assesment and classroom tool everyone can benifit from.  Check out their site and do their trial to check it out, I'm sold!

Sight Reading Factory